To be eligible for an NHSC scholarship, you must be:
A United States citizen (U.S. born or naturalized) or U.S. national
Acceptable forms of proof:
Birth certificate issued by a city, county, or state agency in the United States
Identification page of a valid U.S. passport
Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization
Unacceptable forms of proof:
A permanent resident card
Driver's license
Marriage certificate
Social Security card
Enrolled as a full-time student (or accepted for enrollment)
For the 2025 – 2026 school year, we will consider scholarship awards only for students with classes that begin on or before September 30, 2025.
You are a full-time student if you are enrolled for a sufficient number of credit hours in any academic term to complete the course of study within the number of academic terms normally required at your school.
We don't count courses that aren't required or related to your qualifying degree program towards the hours required for full-time status.
Attending—or accepted to attend—an accredited school or program in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia (D.C.), or a U.S. territory
U.S. territories include:
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas
U.S. Virgin Islands
Guam
American Samoa
Republic of Palau
Republic of the Marshall Islands
Federated States of Micronesia
In an eligible discipline
Physician
Dentist
Nurse practitioner
Adult medicine
Family medicine
Geriatrics
Primary care pediatrics
Psychiatric mental health
Women's health
Nurse midwife
Physician assistant
Eligible for federal employment
Most NHSC scholars serve their obligations as salaried, non-federal employees of public or private entities approved by the NHSC Scholarship Program.
You are not eligible for a scholarship if you have an existing obligation to a federal, state, or other entity for professional practice or service after academic training.
You may become eligible if the entity to which you owe the obligation provides a written statement satisfactory to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) showing:
No potential conflict in fulfilling the NHSC Scholarship Program obligation and the entity's obligation
You will serve the NHSC Scholarship Program obligation first
Are military reservists eligible?
Yes, military reservists are eligible to participate. This includes all of the Armed Forces including the National Guard. However, your military training or service will not satisfy the NHSC SP service commitment.
How do you determine if I'm ineligible?
You are not eligible if you are studying a non-primary care specialty or if you are in the pre-professional phase of your health professions education.