Massage Therapy Scholarship
$1,000
At MBLExGuide we believe in education and helping massage students and new therapists succeed. We know that completing a professional massage therapy training program can be challenging and require sacrifices.
As strong advocates for health and wellness education, we are proud to give back to the massage and bodywork community and assist aspiring massage therapists on their journey.
Massage Therapy Scholarship – Fall 2025
This scholarship is available to any massage student currently enrolled in an approved entry-level massage therapy training school or program in the US, and who is working towards taking the FSMTB Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) to become a professional massage therapist (see eligibility requirements below). One winner will be selected and awarded the $1,000 scholarship.
Application Deadline: December 31, 2025
Application Period Will End In:
(Please read instructions below before applying!)
About MBLExGuide
MBLExGuide is committed to helping massage therapy students and graduates pass the FSMTB Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx). We focus on providing MBLEx practice exams and quizzes, as well as offering helpful study strategies and test-taking tips. We offer a complete MBLEx Prep Course that provides an organized review for the massage licensing exam.
Enroll in our MBLEx Prep Course!
The MBLEx Prep Course provides massage therapy students and graduates with an organized, convenient and comprehensive review for the FSMTB massage licensing exam. Complete with practice quizzes and progress tracking.
Massage Scholarship Eligibility
In order to be eligible to apply for the Fall 2025 MBLExGuide Scholarship, massage therapy students must meet all of the following criteria:
- Participant must be a currently enrolled student in an approved entry-level massage education program in the US. For a massage school to be approved, the massage program must meet all their state licensing requirements that enable graduates to apply for a state massage therapy license upon completion of the program. This includes meeting the minimum number of classroom and instructional hours, and any other state curriculum requirements necessary for licensing. (Recent graduates from an approved massage therapy school or program are eligible to apply as long as they will complete their entry-level massage therapy program on or after October 31, 2025).
- The student must be in good standing with their massage school and passing all classes.
- Proof of current enrollment must accompany your scholarship entry. This can be contact information for your massage program director so that enrollment can be verified.
- Applicants must complete one written essay based on the topic described below, and must follow all entry guidelines. One entry per student will be accepted.
How to Apply
Review the eligibility criteria (listed above) to ensure that you are eligible to participate with this massage therapy scholarship program. Write your essay following the submission guidelines detailed below.
Complete the scholarship application form and upload your entry as instructed on the application page. Complete the survey after submitting your application.
Create a 1-Page Study Guide
Contest Description
The topic of the Fall 2025 MBLExGuide Scholarship is to create a 1-page study guide focused on a single muscle of the human body. This focused study guide (also known as a quick reference sheet, concept summary, study notes, or cheat sheet) should be informative, clearly organized, and visually well-designed. It should help the reader understand and remember the key facts and clinical relevance of the chosen muscle, especially in the context of massage therapy.
Creating 1-page study guides offers numerous benefits for massage students. The process of condensing and organizing complex muscle information helps reinforce your understanding of both anatomy, kinesiology, and clinical application. It encourages active learning, critical thinking, and practical recall—skills that are useful during hands-on practice and when preparing for exams like the MBLEx. These guides also become efficient review tools for quick reference in class, clinic, or during exam prep. By participating in this scholarship contest, you strengthen your own learning while creating a useful resource.
How to Participate
1. Choose a Topic
Select one specific muscle of the human body to focus on for your 1-page study guide. The muscle you choose should be relevant to massage therapy education—a skeletal muscle that you’re likely to study in your coursework, encounter on the MBLEx, or address during clinical practice. Choosing a clinically relevant muscle will give you plenty to work with when including anatomy, palpation, and trigger point information. If you’re not sure where to start, consider picking a muscle you’ve recently studied in class or one that’s often involved in common client complaints.
Here are some example muscles that would make strong, useful topics:
- Deltoid
- Gluteus medius
- Gastrocnemius
- Sternocleidomastoid
- Biceps femoris
- Brachioradialis
- Trapezius
- Iliocostalis
- Pectoralis minor
- Tibialis anterior
You’re not limited to these—any individual muscle commonly studied in massage therapy programs is acceptable. Just be sure it’s a single, clearly defined muscle (not a group or region), and that it offers enough substance to fill your guide without overwhelming it.
2. Content Ideas
Your 1-page study guide should focus on presenting accurate, relevant, and clearly organized information about your selected muscle. Below are ideas for what to include:
- OINA: Clearly present the muscle’s origin, insertion, nerve innervation, and primary actions.
- Synergists and Antagonists: Identify muscles that assist (synergists) or oppose (antagonists) the muscle’s action, reinforcing understanding of muscle function and coordination in movement. If the muscle is part of a group (e.g., hamstrings, rotator cuff), note that as well to provide additional context.
- Joint Involvement: Name the joint(s) the muscle acts upon and briefly describe how it influences movement or stability.
- Palpation Techniques: How to locate and palpate the muscle on a client safely and effectively. Include the best body position(s) for palpation (e.g., prone, supine, sidelying) and any helpful movement or landmarks that aid in identification.
- Trigger Point Information: Note common trigger point locations within the muscle and typical referred pain patterns.
- Common Injuries or Dysfunctions: Mention typical issues involving the muscle, such as strains, overuse, or postural problems.
- Muscle Layers: Indicate whether the muscle is superficial or deep in relation to surrounding structures.
- Illustrations: Use diagrams, charts, or labeled images to support comprehension. These can show muscle location, attachments, referral patterns, or palpation techniques.
3. Format
- Single-page layout, printable on 8.5″ x 11″ paper (portrait or landscape)
- Accepted file formats: PDF or high-quality image file (JPEG or PNG)
- Use of images: All visuals must be your own work or properly licensed. Do not use copyrighted images without permission. You may create original illustrations or use royalty-free resources to enhance your guide.
- Clear, legible fonts and colors that are suitable for printing
- Entry title and student’s name must be clearly shown
- You may create your study guide using digital tools (e.g., Canva, Google Docs, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Notability, GoodNotes), or by hand—as long as the final version is clean and legible. Hand-drawn guides must be scanned or photographed clearly before submission.
4. Submission
- Save your completed 1-page study guide as a PDF or high-quality image file (JPEG or PNG). Make sure your file is clearly labeled with your full name and the name of the muscle you selected.
- Submit your entry using the application link provided above. Only one entry per student will be accepted.
- Be sure to double-check your work for accuracy, clarity, and completeness before submitting. Incomplete or unreadable entries may be disqualified.
Evaluation Criteria
Entries will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Adherence to Instructions: Does the study guide meet all contest requirements, including format, structure, and required content elements?
- Informative Value: Is the guide educational and useful for massage therapy students studying anatomy and clinical application?
- Accuracy: Are the anatomical, clinical, and terminology details correct and reliable?
- Clarity: Is the information clearly organized and easy to read and understand?
- Creativity: Is the presentation visually engaging and well-designed, with effective use of layout, visuals, and labeling?
- Relevance: Is the selected muscle appropriate and meaningful for massage therapy study and practice?
- Proofreading: Is the text free from spelling, grammar, or formatting errors?
- Originality: Is the entry the student’s own work, demonstrating independent thought and presentation? All content must be original.
Tips on Creating a Better 1-Page Study Guide
Investing time and effort into creating an outstanding 1-page muscle study guide will improve its quality and your chances of winning. Here are a few tips to help you make a stronger entry:
- Start Early: Don’t wait until the last minute. Give yourself time to research the muscle, understand its clinical relevance, and revise your work.
- Brainstorm Ideas: Think through the essential information related to your chosen muscle—its anatomy, function, trigger points, injuries, and more. Decide how to organize and present it clearly and effectively.
- Organize Logically: Use headings, bullet points, tables, diagrams, and visual groupings to break the content into digestible sections. A clean layout helps others understand your guide quickly.
- Make it Engaging: Imagine you’re creating this as a reference for a classmate. Use simple, direct language. Keep the tone educational but approachable.
- Visual Appeal: Balance text and visuals so the page doesn’t look cluttered or sparse. Use color to highlight key points, but don’t overdo it—readability is still the priority.
- Proofread and Revise: Check for typos, inconsistent formatting, or missing details. Make sure everything is accurate, especially your anatomy facts.
- Seek Feedback: Ask a classmate, instructor, or tutor to review your guide before you submit. They may spot mistakes or give you ideas to improve clarity or presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I verify that I am a current student at an approved school?
A: You can provide verification that you are currently enrolled as a massage therapy student by providing the contact information for your massage program director or school administrator on the application form. Only the finalists will be verified after the application deadline has passed.
Q: I will graduate before the scholarship submission deadline. Am I still eligible to enter?
A: Recent massage therapy graduates are eligible to participate as long as they have completed their entry-level massage therapy program on or after October 31, 2025.
Q: In which formats can my essay be saved and uploaded?
A: The preference is for entries can be uploaded on the application form as a PDF document. Any of the following file extensions will also work: .pdf, .docx, .doc, .pages.
Q: When will the scholarship winner be announced?
A: The winner will be announced by January 31, 2026.
Q: When and how will the scholarship be awarded?
A: The winner will receive a single scholarship payment in the form of a check within 30 days of announcing the winner. This check will be mailed directly to the winning student. The school’s financial aid department or administrator for the winning participant will also be notified when the funds have been issued.
Q: Can I submit multiple entries for this scholarship?
A: No. Only one entry will be accepted per student.
Q: Am I eligible for a scholarship if I am not a US citizen?
A: No. This massage student scholarship is for US citizens in a US-based massage therapy training program.
Note: By submitting a scholarship application, you agree to use any awarded scholarship prize money for education purposes only: tuition and/or related expenses such as school supplies, books, continuing education, etc.
Submitting your application hereby gives MBLExGuide permission to use or post your entry in part or in full on this website or our social media channels. Any contact information will remain confidential and will not be shared with other parties. Selection of the winning entry is at the sole discretion of MBLExGuide, and all decisions of the MBLExGuide Scholarship committee are final and binding.
For Massage Schools
For inquiries about whether or not your school is approved for the MBLExGuide Scholarship, or for assistance promoting this scholarship to your students and potential future students, please contact us.
All schools must be in the US or based in the US, and accredited or approved by an appropriate regulatory body to provide initial massage education that meets their state massage therapy or bodywork license requirements.
Printable Flyer
This PDF flyer is ideal for posting on bulletin boards in classrooms and other student areas. It can also be emailed to students and other massage instructors, and shared on social media.