The Listen Foundation has established a professional scholarship in the name of Doreen Pollack, a pioneer in the standards of excellence in listening and spoken language. The purpose of this scholarship is to assist one LSLS professional per year in fulfilling the requirements for certification as a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist (LSLS®) in Auditory-Verbal Therapy (LSLS Cert. AVT®). This scholarship is available to LSLS professionals who are nearing their final year of mentoring to qualify for certification by the AG Bell Academy. Funds will be used to support the recipient’s qualification for and examination through the AG Bell Academy and to enable the recipient to fulfill requirements such as mentoring and continuing education credits. Information about the certification process and requirements to be eligible to take the LSLS certification exam is provided on the AG Bell Academy website.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOLARSHIP
To be eligible for the Doreen Pollack AVT Scholarship, applicants must be able to present qualifications that would show their progress toward certification and likely eligibility to take the certification examination within 12 to 18 months of receiving the scholarship. The application for the scholarship mirrors many of the requirements that will be necessary to qualify for the certification exam and provides a guideline for fulfillment.
To be considered for the Doreen Pollack Scholarship, professionals seeking certification must submit a complete and properly organized application no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on May 1, 2026.
APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
Completed applications for the Doreen Pollack Scholarship include the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (current name, contact information, educational degrees, certifications/credentials, and licenses must be included)
- Written Essay which includes an explanation of your professional background, your reason for choosing to work with children who are deaf and hard of hearing, how you would use the scholarship if awarded, and what impact you hope to have on the children and families with whom you work as an LSLS Cert AVT professional.
- Written attestation from your LSLS Mentor that you are or will soon be entering your third or final year of mentoring
- Written description from your LSLS Mentor of your current skills. The written attestation and description may be provided as one document. (A completed F1 form does not serve as a written description or recommendation).
- Signed copy of the “Commitment to the Principles of Auditory-Verbal Therapy.”
- Copies of up-to-date and signed forms E, F-1, and F-2 for your first two years of mentoring.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Scholarship applications must be received by the Academy by 11:59pm ET on May 1, 2026.
The selection committee will review all applications, and AG Bell will notify the scholarship recipient of his/her award. Please do not contact Academy staff to inquire about eligibility or the status of your application.
