Give, Do, Love, Serve (GDLS) Scholarship

Life West Chiropractic College offers the Give, Do, Love, Serve (GDLS) scholarship, a program designed to support, mentor, and empower students who are passionate about making a difference in their communities. This scholarship honors individuals who lead with compassion, foster belonging, and dedicate themselves to service, both within Life West and the broader field of chiropractic care.

Rooted in the core values of action, empathy, and service, the GDLS Scholarship recognizes students who actively contribute to fostering a more welcoming and compassionate world—whether through advocacy, volunteerism, or leadership that strengthens community well-being.

Our mission is to provide these future chiropractors with the opportunity to achieve their professional goals while fully embodying the “Give, Do, Love, Serve” ethos. By investing in these students, Life West reaffirms its commitment to expanding chiropractic care to historically underserved communities and ensuring that the healing power of chiropractic is accessible to all.

Goals of the “Give, Do, Love, Serve” Scholarship:

1. Empower Student Leaders: Recognize and support students dedicated to meaningful action to create positive change in their communities.
2. Promote Excellence: Encourage applicants from all diverse backgrounds who demonstrate a commitment to belonging, social responsibility and lasting purpose.
3. Cultivate a Culture of Service: Inspire young students of chiropractic to prioritize service, advocacy, and compassion in their academic and personal lives as future Doctors of Chiropractic.
4. Bridge Opportunity Gaps: Provide financial support to students who may have challenges in accessing higher education.
5. Encourage Lifelong Impact: Foster a generation of changemakers who will continue to lead with integrity, empathy, and a place of abundance.

Scholarship Criteria:

• Must submit a complete application online
• Academic & Personal Excellence
• Open to students of all academic backgrounds, with a focus on character, leadership, and impact on the chiropractic field.
• Strong essay responses that showcase personal commitment to the values of “Give, Do, Love, Serve.”
• Submit supporting documentation (optional)
• Submit two (2) essays of 500-700 words each via the online application.

Essay Options (Choose 2): Answer why you’re the ideal candidate through the essay responses.

1. 1. How do you embody the principles of ‘Give, Do, Love, Serve’ in your daily life? Describe a specific experience where you took action to support or uplift others. How did this experience shape your understanding of leadership, service, and advocacy?
   2. A Future Built on Service and Love
      Imagine a world where everyone prioritizes service, love, and community. How do you see yourself contributing to this vision, and what steps are you taking today to make it a reality?
   3. Healing Through Service
      Chiropractic care is rooted in the idea of holistic healing and service to others. Describe a time when you made a meaningful impact in your community through service, advocacy, or leadership. How does this experience reflect the principles of “Give, Do, Love, Serve”, and how will you carry these values into your future career in chiropractic care?
   4. Expanding Access to Care
      Life West is committed to ensuring chiropractic care reaches the needs of local communities. What are some barriers to healthcare access that you have observed or experienced? How do you envision using your education and leadership to bridge these gaps and bring healing to those who need it most?

GDLS Scholarship Details:

The Give, Do, Love, Serve Scholarship is awarded to entering first-quarter students who have been accepted to the Doctor of Chiropractic program.

The scholarship will cover, quarterly, up to 10% of the tuition cost (excluding student fees) for each scholarship recipient who embodies and promotes the preceding goals.  Scholarship recipients remain eligible based on the loan renewal criteria outlined below.  

Scholarship Deadlines:

Summer 2025 Start Term (CA campus only): June 15th, 2025

Fall 2025 Start Term (CA & NE campuses):  September 7, 2025

Winter 2026 Start Term (CA & NE campuses): December 14, 2025

Spring 2026 Start Term (CA campus only):  May 8, 2025

Ideal Candidate- Exemplifies the following:

Commitment to Action 

• Demonstrated leadership, advocacy, or initiative in addressing social community needs.
• Engagement in service projects, activism, or grassroots initiatives that promote positive change.

Compassion & Empathy 

• Evidence of fostering welcoming spaces, mentorship, or support for all community groups.
• Personal reflection on how love and empathy drive their work and future aspirations.

Dedication to Service 

• Active participation in volunteer work or civic engagement.
• A clear passion for service and a vision for how they will continue to serve others in the future.

Financial & Opportunity Considerations

• Prioritizing students with financial need.
• A holistic review process that considers resilience, lived experiences, and potential for impact.

Scholarship Renewal Criteria:

The Give, Do, Love, Serve Scholarship for New Students requires a strong commitment of time, effort, and dedication throughout your studies. Please carefully consider these expectations before applying. To remain eligible for the scholarship, you must:

• Maintain a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA
• Satisfactory progress toward completion of the program
• Scholarship maximum 125% rate of completion, which means you can NOT exceed no more than 18 quarters for 14 quarter track or 14 quarters for 12 quarter track).
• Participate in a minimum of 20 hours of college based service activities each year during the award period. Some examples include department functions, student club sponsorship, serving on a college designated committee and other campus event opportunities.
• Adhere to the rest of the expectations outlined in the Give, Do, Love, Serve Scholarship Agreement.
• Be a champion and professional representative of Life West’s service and sense of belonging initiatives

Scholarship Financial Parameters:

Students are  only eligible for one multi-term scholarship (exceptions:  other tuition credit awards, such as the International Student Credit). The total amount of tuition credits, discounts, or scholarship awards cannot exceed the cost of tuition.

The Give, Do, Love, Serve Scholarship Committee reserves the right not to award any scholarships if no applicants meet the eligibility criteria.

Scholarship recipients will be notified by a committee member within one week of the Give, Do, Love, Serve Committee meeting.