Students pursuing primary care health professions training may be eligible to apply to the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program.
Awarded scholars serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
Am I eligible for a scholarship?
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 2024-2025 school year, we will consider scholarship awards only for students with classes that begin on or before September 30, 2024.
- 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 SP.
Some vacancies require federal employment, including a security clearance. You must be eligible for a Commissioned Officer of the Public Health Service or a federal civil service appointment.
Without an existing service obligation
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 obligation and the entity's obligation
- You will serve the NHSC Scholarship 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.
How do I apply to the NHSC Scholarship Program?
- Review the NHSC Scholarship Program Application and Program Guidance (PDF - 554 KB).
- Complete an online application, including required documents.
Find out more on how to apply. And learn how we decide who gets scholarship awards.