Higher Education Coordinating Board

HP Scholarship Page

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.