The constant need for qualified health care professional has led to an abundance of scholarship opportunities from a diverse range of sources. Private industry, state and local governments, colleges and universities all provide ample funding opportunities for the serious health sciences students.
Depending on the desired field of study, students will find a wide array of scholarship opportunities available through the private sector. Professional associations and organizations provide a large number of scholarship, grant and loan repayment programs designed to help integrate young health sciences students into the professional community.
Look for scholarships
There are several private companies and organizations that offer scholarships for the Bachelors and advanced degrees. Here are a few types of organizations that you can look into:
- Professional associations
- Foundations such as the Gates Foundation
- Large corporations like Xerox or Pepsi
- Nonprofits who focus on scholarships
- Political and advocacy organizations
- Community clubs and organizations
- Social or community clubs and organizations
- Religious organizations
- Service organizations like the Elks or the Rotary
- Scholarship-focused Non profits
Focus on their Criteria
There will usually be a huge variation in scholarship criteria from one organization to the other. Some scholarships are regional and will be designated for students from a certain county or state. On the other hand, some scholarships will be reserved for students who want to pursue specific careers. Schools and organizations might offer scholarships to students who meet the criteria that have been outlined by them. This could include:
- Commitment to volunteer or community work
- Has physical or learning disabilities
- Is committed to pursuing an research or academic interest or a valued career
- Demonstrates athletic talent and achievement
- Underrepresented minority group
- Economic need
- Exemplary academic achievement
- Has high test scores
These are just some of the categories. Here are some scholarships that you can check on. It will be a good start and will also give you an idea about how the system works:
The American Medical Association sponsors a large number of scholarship and grants for students at all levels of their medical training. The AMA Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship, the Arthur N. Wilson, MD, Scholarship and the AMA Minority Scholars Award are only a few of the financial aid programs made available by the American Medical Association.
The National Student Nurses Association sponsors a number of financial aid programs for student members including the Promise of Nursing Scholarship and the Marilyn Bagwell Leadership Development Grant .
National Healthcare Scholars Foundation Scholarship– They have a total of 40 scholarships that are given to undergraduate and graduate students. The NHSF has established these scholarships to help qualified African-American, Native America, Asian and Hispanic students in the medical, nursing, health and pharmacy professions.
NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program– This programs offers 15 different scholarships. All these scholarships are offered to students who belong to disadvantaged backgrounds and are committed to biomedical, social science, behavioral, and health-related research.
Health Professions Scholarship Program– They offer over 100 scholarships.
The Air Force offers numerous scholarships for students in the healthcare field. Students who get this scholarship are required to serve 4 years of active duty in the Air Force once they graduate from medical school.
HIMSS Foundation Scholarships– They offer a total of 7 scholarships. The HIMSS determines which students have achieved the academic excellence that they expect.
Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions Scholarship– They recognize outstanding students from the allied health professions who achieve excellence via academic programs.
When looking for a scholarship, the most important thing is to apply to all the scholarships you are eligible for, while making sure you complete your application meticulously and double-checking all the scholarship requirements before applying.
For students pursuing a career in the health sciences the opportunities are nearly endless. Depending on your specialized field of interest you may be eligible for scholarships, grants or loan repayment plans that can help you pay for college on your way to a lucrative and rewarding career.