Surgical Technology Training and Scholarships

Surgical Technology Scholarships

Imagine America Foundation Scholarship Programs

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Apply for Scholarship

Surgical technologists are essential members of every operating room team — preparing sterile fields, passing instruments, and keeping procedures running safely. Imagine America Foundation offers scholarships to help students pay for surgical technology training at participating career colleges, where accredited programs can lead to an associate degree and CST certification in as few as 15 months.

Why Become a Surgical Technologist?

Surgical technology puts you at the center of the action in healthcare — inside the operating room — without years of medical school. Surgical volume keeps growing with the population, from hospital ORs to the rapidly expanding world of outpatient surgery centers, and certified surgical technologists are the professionals every one of those rooms needs.

  • Work in the operating room in as few as 15 months
  • CAAHEP-accredited partner programs prepare you for CST certification
  • Growing demand from hospitals and outpatient surgery centers alike
  • Specialization paths into orthopedics, cardiovascular, and other service lines
  • A stepping stone toward surgical first assistant and OR leadership roles

Surgical Technology Scholarship Opportunities

Imagine America Foundation provides scholarship funding to students pursuing surgical technology training at participating career colleges. Awards are available through the Imagine America High School Scholarship, the Adult Skills Education Program (ASEP), and the Military Award Program (MAP).

Scholarship Amount: $1,000 per award

Eligibility Requirements

  • High school seniors nominated by their high school for the Imagine America Scholarship
  • Adult learners qualifying for the Adult Skills Education Program (ASEP)
  • Active-duty, reservist, or honorably discharged military members through the Military Award Program (MAP)
  • Enrollment at a participating career college offering surgical technology programs

How to Apply for Surgical Tech Scholarships

  1. Create your free profile on the Imagine America portal
  2. Browse participating schools offering surgical technology programs
  3. Complete the scholarship application for your chosen school
  4. Work with the school's admissions team to finalize enrollment and apply your award
Start Your Application

Surgical Technology Career Outlook

Demand for surgical technologists tracks the steady growth in surgical procedures nationwide. As hospitals expand OR capacity and outpatient surgery centers multiply, certified surgical technologists — especially CST credential holders who trained in CAAHEP-accredited programs — enjoy strong hiring prospects and clear advancement paths.

15 mo
Associate degree at partner programs
120+
Surgical cases completed in training
$1,000
Imagine America award amount

Partner Schools Offering Surgical Technology Training

Imagine America Foundation partners with accredited career colleges offering surgical technology training. Explore our partner schools:

Carrington College

Bakersfield, CA

Carrington College

Fresno, CA

Carrington College

Temecula, CA

Ready to Start Your Surgical Technology Career?

Take the first step toward a rewarding career. Apply for scholarship funding and explore training programs at our partner schools.

Apply for Your Surgical Tech Scholarship

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does surgical tech training take?

Partner programs like Carrington College's CAAHEP-accredited Surgical Technology program lead to an Associate of Science degree in as few as 15 months, including operating room rotations with a minimum of 120 surgical cases.

What certification do surgical technologists need?

The Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential, administered by the NBSTSA, is the industry standard. CAAHEP-accredited program graduates are eligible to sit for the CST exam.

Where do surgical technologists work?

Hospital operating rooms, outpatient surgery centers, and labor and delivery units. With experience, techs can specialize by service line or advance toward surgical first assistant roles.

Can adults changing careers get surgical tech scholarships?

Yes. The Adult Skills Education Program (ASEP) provides $1,000 grants to qualifying adult learners at participating career colleges — no prior healthcare experience required to start training.