Three Easy Steps to Finding a HealthCare Scholarship,PLUS Five Great Scholarships to Get You Started

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Step 1. Find Schools You Want to Attend
Most colleges and universities offer fantastic scholarships. So the BEST way to search for scholarships is to narrow the list to include only those schools you’d most like to attend, then research their awards and financial aid options. Many scholarships from corporations and nonprofits also require detailed information about your academic plans, so it pays to decide where to apply before you ramp up your scholarship search.

Step 2. Search for Scholarships

Many organizations and businesses offer scholarships for Bachelor’s and advanced degrees. Look into the following organizations, both in your area and nationally.

• Professional associations
• Your employer (Employee Based Awards)
• Scholarship-focused nonprofits
• Large corporations (Pepsi, Xerox, etc.)
• Foundations (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, etc.)
• Unions
• Advocacy and political organizations
• Religious organizations
• Social/community clubs and organizations
• Service organizations (Rotary, Elks, etc.)


Scholarship criteria vary widely. Some scholarships are earmarked for students pursuing specific careers; others may be regional, designated for applicants from a particular state or county. Typically, organizations and schools may offer scholarships to students who meet a set of criteria, which could include:

• Demonstrated commitment to community service or volunteer work
• Commitment to pursue a valued career, academic, or research interest
• Learning or physical disabilities
• Demonstrated commitment to fine arts or performing arts
• Demonstrated athletic achievement and talent
• Economic need
• Underrepresented minority group
• Student is a gender minority in their field of interest (Ex: male nurses)
• Birthplace (for students from a particular city, state, or country)
• Student is the first to go to college in their family
• Contest / essay contest winner
• Going back to school; single parent
• High academic achievement
• High standardized test scores

A good strategy is to determine the types of scholarships you may be eligible for and search specifically for those.

Which area(s) might you qualify under?

Here are some hand-picked nursing scholarships that will get you started on your search:

1. National Healthcare Scholars Foundation Scholarship
Amount: $2,500 for Graduate students. $1,500 for Undergraduate Students.


Scholarships Available: 40

It takes the entire community to ensure that future healthcare professionals become successful individuals and achieve their maximum potential. To accomplish this, NHSF has established scholarships to assist qualified African-American, Asian, Hispanic and Native American students in the fields of medicine, nursing, pharmacy and allied health professions.

2. NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program
Amount: Up to $20,000

Scholarships Available: 15

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) offers competitive scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research.

3. Health Professions Scholarship Program
Amount: $40,000

Scholarships Available:

The Air Force offers scholarships for Healthcare professionals in three- or four-year periods. This scholarship covers all tuition and required fees, including textbooks, small equipment items and supplies needed for study, estimated at $40,000 per year. You’ll also receive a monthly allowance of approximately $1,605 for living expenses. While on scholarship you’ll spend 45 days on active duty in the Air Force and once you graduate you’ll serve active duty: four years for a four year scholarship and three years for a three year scholarship.

4. HIMSS Foundation Scholarships

Amount: $40,000

Scholarships Available: 7

The HIMSS Foundation annually awards over $40,000 in cash scholarships. Scholarships are awarded to HIMSSstudent members who have achieved academic excellence and have the potential to be future leaders in the healthcare information and management systems industry. Seven scholarships are awarded to the student(s) deemed most deserving as determined by the HIMSS Foundation Scholarship Review Board.

5. Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions Scholarship of Excellence Award

Amount: $1000


The Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions sponsors a scholarship program for allied health students enrolled in its member schools. The purpose of the scholarship program is to recognize outstanding students in the allied health professions who are achieving excellence in their academic programs and have significant potential to assume future leadership roles in the allied health professions. The selected student will receive a $1,000 scholarship.


Step 3. Apply for Lots of Scholarships – Don’t be Shy

Finding scholarship programs can be a time-consuming process. Unfortunately, many students spend hours looking for a scholarship but fail to put an equal amount of effort into completing their application. The application is by far the most important part of your scholarship search; give it the time it deserves.

One last bit of advice: Double-check the scholarship requirements before you apply. After all, you want to be sure you are eligible before you apply. Write, call or e-mail the scholarship sponsor to ensure you have full details of application procedures and know what will be expected of the successful applicant. You can never have too much Information!

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