How NHSC Determines Scholarship Awards

Through funding priorities and selection factors, we evaluate eligible applicants. We use these to determine who receives scholarship awards.

Funding priorities

First priority

Current (or former) NHSC Scholarship Program scholars You seek, and are eligible for, additional support for the current school year or through your date of graduation.

Second priority

Characteristics Likely to Remain in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) You have characteristics that increase the chance that you will continue to serve in a HPSA once you complete your NHSC Scholarship Program service obligation.

Third priority

Disadvantaged Background You are from a “disadvantaged background” and have characteristics that increase the chance that you will continue to serve in a HPSA once completing your NHSC Scholarship Program service obligation.

Applicants who wish to claim a disadvantaged background:

You must upload the Disadvantaged Background form (PDF - 406 KB) after your school’s financial aid official or you complete it. That official or you must certify your participation, or your eligibility for participation in a qualifying federal program, as outlined below:

• For Medical and Dental Students: Your school or you must certify that you participated in, or would have been eligible for participation in, federal programs such as Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students or Loans to Disadvantaged Students.
• For Nurse Practitioner, Nurse-Midwifery, and Physician Assistant Students: Your school or you must certify that you participated in, or would have been eligible for participation in, federal programs such as Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students or the benefits of the Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant Program.

You may also self-attest to coming from a disadvantaged background and submit supporting documentation (for example, Federal Financial Aid Report).

Selection factors

Factor #1: You honor legal obligations

We will not select you if you have a history of not honoring prior legal obligations. 

To determine this, we review factors such as:

• Default on any federal payment obligations or any non-federal payment obligations (e.g., court-ordered child support payments), even that creditor considers you to be in good standing
• Write-off of any federal or non-federal debt as uncollectible; or a waiver of any federal service or payment obligation
• Default on a prior service obligation—to federal, state, or local government, or other entity--even if you subsequently satisfied that obligation

Note: We will perform a credit check as part of the application review process.

Factor #2: You perform well academically

You demonstrate the ability to excel and maintain good academic standing while in school.

Factor #3: You commit to providing primary care services in underserved communities

We seek to recruit clinicians who demonstrate:

• A strong commitment to the field of primary care
• An interest in providing care to underserved communities
• Relevant work experience and/or activities (for example, community service, research, and internships), which prepared you to work with underserved populations
  We evaluate this final factor through:
  • Essay Questions
    Show your interest and commitment to primary care service in underserved communities.
  • Recommendation Letters
    Provide a detailed description of your:
    • School performance
    • Education/work achievements
    • Community/civic or other non-academic achievements
    • Ability to work and communicate constructively with others from diverse backgrounds
    • Interest and motivation to serve underserved populations through work experience, course work, special projects, research, etc.

Factor #4: You do not have any judgment liens arising from a federal debt

Factor #5: You are not currently excluded, suspended, or disqualified by a federal agency

In your application, you must confirm that you're not excluded, suspended, or disqualified by a federal agency.

You must provide immediate written notice to us if you failed to make a required disclosure. You must also do so if your circumstances change in such a way that a disclosure is necessary.