Maybe you don’t consider Uncle Sam to be “your favorite uncle,” but if he’s willing to foot the bill for nursing, pharmacy, or even all of med school, he might at least come in a close second. Of course, like with most “free” services the government offers, 2 of these 3 types of full-ride scholarships do come with strings attached, usually in the form of years of service after graduation. On the plus side, though, you do get paid for those years of service, if not at the same rate you would be paid in more affluent areas. When you consider not having to save up money before starting—or, worse, paying interest on college loans for decades after graduation—the deal can certainly end up in your favor.
While the military offers its fair share of such full-ride commitments, civilian agencies are in the mix, as well. The most notable, perhaps is the Health Resources and Services Administration. All scholarships available through the HRSA require applicants to be U.S. citizens or nationals who are already accepted into or enrolled in accredited programs. The three basic categories of scholarships are listed below.
Nursing Scholarship Program
The Nursing Scholarship Program provides tuition, fees, educational expenses, and a monthly stipend to cover living expenses to those pursuing nursing degrees; the stipend was nearly $1,300 for the 2011-2012 school year. Students may pursue various types of RN programs, including those culminating in BSNs, MSNs, or even an associate degree or diplomas. Preference is given to full-time nurses in financial need. In return, students must commit to 2 years of service in a health care facility located in an area with a critical shortage of nurses.
National Health Service Corps
Funding is available through the National Health Service Corps for physicians, family nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives, physician assistants and dentists. Notably, this program is actually a loan-repayment program, allowing participants to receive up to $170,000 in educational loan repayment with 5-year service commitments. ($60,000 awards come with 2-year commitments, and part-time, 4-year arrangements are available, as well.) There are many NHSC-approved sites in various areas of the country, located in areas classified as Health Professional Shortage Areas, or HPSAs. Many Corps members work in federally-funded health care centers, but others serve in Indian Health Service clinics, rural areas, and public health department clinics. Some also serve in managed care networks, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement sites, prisons, or hospital-affiliated primary care practices.
Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students
Unlike the other programs available through the HRSA, The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program does not require students to make commitments regarding after-graduation employment. Qualification is based on financial need, as determined by the school. Students are also free to choose from a broader spectrum of healthcare careers; funding is available for those wanting to become optometrists, pharmacists, chiropractors, physician assistants, veterinarians, speech pathologists, clinical social workers, and other medical professionals. Scholarship amounts are determined by the educational institutions, to which the funding is paid, in order to allow for tuition, educational expenses, and reasonable living stipends.
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