HRSA has announced $46 million in scholarship funds to support health professions education for disadvantaged students.
 
The scholarships, funded under HRSA’s Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program, range from $700 to $650,000 and will go to 444 colleges and universities in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.  Last year, scholarships helped more than 3,000 students, many of whom practice in medically underserved areas when they graduate. 
 
The program provides scholarships to financially needy students who are enrolled full-time in health professions and nursing programs.   Scholarship funds go to accredited schools of medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, podiatric medicine, veterinary medicine, nursing, public health, chiropractic, and allied health.  Also eligible for funding are graduate programs in behavioral and mental health practice and programs providing physician assistant training.  Schools determine students’ financial need and select scholarship recipients.  HRSA’s Bureau of Health Professions administers the program. 
 
For information on individual awards, contact Andreina Castle at acastle@hrsa.gov.  For additional program information, visit http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/DSA/sds.htm.