Are You Majoring in a Health Science Degree? Nail Down Scholarships

The field of Health Sciences encompasses a number of interdisciplinary specialties. Students pursuing a degree in Health Science, and ultimately a career in the healthcare system, will find themselves specializing in one of these sub-disciplines. A short sampling of these specialties include:

These are just a few of the interdisciplinary specialties Health Science majors will have to choose from. The demands are great, and the education is expensive, but scholarship opportunities can help make your career goals much more accessible.

Federal Government Scholarships for Health Science Students

One of the best sources for Health Science scholarships is the Federal government. Many healthcare fields are experiencing critical manpower shortages, and the government has approved a number of scholarship programs to encourage and support students entering into this much needed field of study. Minority students, women and financial disadvantaged students can take advantage of the Federal government's scholarship and loan forgiveness programs to help them realize their educational and career goals.

Some of the most notable financial aid programs offered by the federal government include the following.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sponsors the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students. This popular and successful program is available to students financially disadvantaged, or socially challenged, backgrounds. Scholarships are available to students studying in a number of health related fields, including optometry, dentistry, nursing, chiropractic and osteopathic medicine.
The National Health Service Corps offers scholarships and loan repayment programs designed to support students pursuing a career as a primary care professional. Students studying to become doctors, dentists and nurse practitioners can take advantage of the NHSC's financial aid resources. These are scholarship for service programs, and recipients must agree to a predetermined time of service in a medically under-served facility following graduation.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services supports a dedicated Nursing Scholarship Program which offers qualified nursing students full tuition scholarships in exchange for two years of service in an under-served urban or rural medical facility.
For undergrads pursuing biomedical research, you must check out the National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program. This is a competitive scholarship aimed at students from financially and socially disadvantaged backgrounds.
The National Institutes of Health offers the Undergraduate Scholarship Program. This highly competitive scholarship is aimed at students from financially and socially disadvantaged backgrounds. The NIH will pay up to $20,000 per academic year in tuition and college expenses for qualifying applicants.

Private Scholarship Sources for Health Sciences

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.

Consider the following examples:

The American Medical Association sponsors a large number of scholarship and grants for students at all levels of their medical training. TheAMA 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 .
The American Dental Association offers both a scholarship and a loan repayment program for students pursuing degrees in dentistry. The ADA Foundation Scholarship and the Dental Student Loan Repayment Program are available to students pursuing a career as a dentist, dental hygienist or Dental Lab Technician.

Scholarships in the Health Sciences from Other Sources

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. Look to your school of choice for scholarship programs that may be applicable to your educational and career goals. Also consider private corporations closely allied with the medical industry as possible sources of financial aid.

A few examples will get your started in your search for college funding from alternative sources.

Allied Healthcare Products, manufacturers of medical gas equipment, sponsor an annual scholarship for California residents studying in the health science field. Awards are $2500, and are open to students with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA
Boise State University offers the The President Charles and Sally Ruch Inaugural Health Science Scholarship. Applicants must be in their sophomore ear of an approved health science program, and must maintain a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for the award.
The American Chemical Society supports an annual scholarship for minority students pursuing a degree in chemistry, biochemistry or chemical engineering. Awards are based on a combination of academic merit and financial need.

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.