Health Professional Scholarship

The Health Professional Scholarship program was created to attract and retain health professionals to serve in critical shortage areas in Washington state.

The Scholarship program provides financial assistance to students training to become primary care health professionals.

Eligible Professions:

• Physician (MD or DO)

• Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner

• Licensed Nurse (any licensed level)

• Nurse Faculty (to teach undergraduate nursing)

• Midwife (certified-nurse or licensed)

• Pharmacist

• Dentist

• Dental Hygienist

Mental Health is not included in the program.

In return for financial assistance, participants agree to provide primary care health care in rural or underserved urban areas with designated shortages for a minimum of three years. See Shortage Areas List.

Scholarship Eligibility – you must:

• Be a student training to become a primary care health professional in an eligible profession.

• Be a United States citizen. (Permanent resident does not qualify.)

• Have completed all prerequisite course work.

• Not be in default on any educational loans.

• Sign a Promissory Note agreeing to serve for a minimum of three years in a designated shortage area in Washington state or pay back funds with double penalty plus interest.

For detailed information on the program, please see the Guidelines & Terms of Agreement.

Award

The scholarship program award amount varies by educational program. The scholarship is not based on financial need, you do not have to attend a Washington state school, and you may attend less than full time. You do not have to be a Washington state resident to apply. However, you must return to Washington state to fulfill your service obligation.

Service Obligation:

• It is your responsibility to find and obtain employment during the nine month grace period that meets program criteria (see Shortage Area List). Exception, medical students do not have a grace period upon completion of their residency program.

• Participants may not work in urgent care clinics or specialty care clinics or hospital emergency room.

• Employment through placement agencies does not qualify for service credit.

• The length of service is determined by the number of years the scholarship is received, with a minimum of a three year service obligation.

• The service obligation period is based on full time (40 or more hours per week) employment and is prorated for less than full time. 

• Service credit is confirmed at the end of each quarter through a Service Confirmation Form that participants and employers complete.

How to Apply

Please click on the link below to access the online application.  You will need to register to view and complete the application process.

Before you begin the application you will need to have the following information available:

• Driver's License number.

• Name, address and phone number of the college/university you will be attending this year.

• Name, address and phone number of three references.

• Number of credits for each semester/quarter you plan to attend.

• Names, dates and number of credits completed for previous colleges/universities you have attended.

Online applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on
April 30, 2010. All required attachments must be postmarked on or before April 30, 2010.

(See Guidelines & Terms of Agreement above
for a list of required attachments.)

Faxed copies of the application and/or attachments
will not be accepted. 

Health Professional Scholarship Application

For additional information:
E-mail: health@hecb.wa.gov

Phone: Chris Wilkins at 360-596-4817

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Quick Links

Washington Opportunity Pathways

theWashBoard.org is a free, online clearinghouse for Washington students seeking college scholarships

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