National Health Service Corps Scholarship

The National Health Service Corps Scholarship is a program funded by the federal government to increase the number of graduate level health professionals in underserved areas. The scholarship is available to future physicians in both MD and DO programs, dentists, certified nurse-midwives, certified family nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.

The National Health Service Corps Scholarship pays for tuition and fees plus offers a monthly stipend. In exchange, the scholarship recipients agree to work in a designated underserved area for one year for each year of the scholarship award with a minimum of two years of service.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens. They must attend an accredited program full time.

Applicants who can demonstrate that they have a real commitment to serve traditionally underserved populations and have the geographic flexibility to move to such areas are given first consideration. All candidates must be considered well prepared for the program. Additionally, they must have a strong interest in primary care. Applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds are also favored.

For doctors, primary care is internal medicine, family practice, ob-gyn, and psychiatry. Doctors can take no more than 4 years to finish their internship and residency before beginning their National Health Service Corps Scholarship service.

There are the most vacancies in rural areas. Opportunities in inner cities also exist. Some people on the scholarship will qualify to serve as health practitioners in Federal Prisons.

The National Health Service Corps prepares a list of eligible vacancies each year. Once a person accepts a position, the salary must be submitted to the government agency for approval. This is so that the hiring office cannot take advantage of the fact that the health professional must fill one of the vacancies by offering them a lower salary.

If a person accepts a National Health Service Corps scholarship and then does not complete the required service, they are required by law to pay back the loan amount times three.

If working in a rural or inner city area appeals to you, the National Health Service Corps scholarship provides you with a good way to fund your post-graduate medical education.

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