Scholarships for Health Professions Students from Disadvantaged Backgrounds

Objective

The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) program increases diversity in the health professions and nursing workforce by providing awards to eligible health professions schools for use in awarding scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have financial need, including students who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups. The SDS program aims to increase the: 1) number of graduates practicing in primary care, 2) enrollment and retention of full-time students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including students who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups, and 3) number of graduates working in medically underserved communities (MUCs). Schools provide scholarships, maintain and operate a program to recruit and retain students from disadvantaged backgrounds that encourages completion of school and service in primary care and in medically underserved communities.

Who Can Apply

• U.S. State Government (including the District of Columbia)
• Local
• Federally Recognized Indian/Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Government
• U.S. Territory (or Possession) Government (including freely-associated states)
• Nonprofit Organization

Accredited public or non-profit private schools of medicine, nursing, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, podiatric medicine, optometry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, allied health, public health, a school offering a graduate program in behavioral and mental health practice, or an entity providing programs for the training of physician assistants. 1) At least 20 percent of the total enrollment (full-time enrolled) of a degree program over three specified academic years period must be students from disadvantaged backgrounds; and 2) At least 20 percent of the total graduates (who were full-time students) of a degree program over three specified academic years period must have been from disadvantaged backgrounds. Faith-based and community-based organizations, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Government and Native American Organizations are eligible to apply if all other eligibility requirements are met.

Who Benefits

• U.S. State Government (including the District of Columbia)
• Local
• Federally Recognized Indian/Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Government
• Nonprofit Organization
• U.S. Territory (or Possession) Government (including freely-associated states)

Students who are citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents of the United States or the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico or the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the American Samoa, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia; and enrolled full-time in health professions or nursing schools. A student who is in this country on a student or visitor's visa is not eligible.

Assistance Types

• Grant

Program Contact

SDSProgram@hrsa.gov
(301) 443-1173