NHSC Scholarship 2019-2020

[coldicecream]

Scholarship is closed for the cycle!
Due: Thursday May 16, 2019 by 7:30pm
Awards Available: approx 155
This scholarship is really competitive so good luck to everyone!

NHSC 2018-2019 Forum

Essay Questions:
*Essay 1: How will you contribute to the mission of the National Health Service Corps in providing care to underserved communities?
*Essay 2: What experiences have you had or activities have you participated in that have prepared you to work with underserved populations?
*Essay 3: Please discuss your commitment to pursue a career in primary health care.

What does the scholarship offer?
Tuition and fees for your school paid for as well as a monthly living stipend.

How do you pay back?
For each year that you use the scholarship, you "pay" back by working at a NHSC-approved site in a high-need urban, rural, or frontier community across the nation. A minimum of 2 years of giving back is required and a maximum of 4 years of financial support will be given.

Here is a link to the application and program guide: https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/downloads/spapplicationguide.pdf

The application is officially CLOSED!
Thanks @Pearl E. White for the breakdown of whats to come!

For reference, here is a list of the dates (as recorded by SDN users) for updates on the scholarship last year.
Credit Check: Shown on credit report from "Credco"
1st round - July 17
2nd round - Aug 3
Finalist Notification: Recipients received an email to check portal for an update
1st round - Aug 8
2nd round - Aug 13
3rd round - Aug 16
Counter-signature Notification: After downloading a copy of the contract, it was signed by Jamie King
Sept 14

Keep in mind these dates will likely be a week or 2 earlier than ours because their deadline to submit was a week earlier. Wishing everyone the best of luck!

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[coldicecream]

I already asked for LoRs and wrote my essays. Anything else I can do while I wait for it to open?

 

[cooliyak]

I already asked for LoRs and wrote my essays. Anything else I can do while I wait for it to open?

You could round up the other paperwork since you are already done with those things. You need transcripts, proof of citizenship, and a CV/resume as well. The rest isn’t available until the application opens.

 

[okiedokeartichoke]

You could probably work on making your resume/CV in the meantime.

 

[wow461]

quick question. So unfortunately i didn't receive it last year so I am re-applying. How much do you recommenced I change my essay questions if not much really changed except im in dental school rn.

 

[cooliyak]

quick question. So unfortunately i didn't receive it last year so I am re-applying. How much do you recommenced I change my essay questions if not much really changed except im in dental school rn.

Rewrite them. They are one of the weightier components in determining if you get the scholarship.

 

[pigman5010]

How long will the application stay open for?

 

[cooliyak]

How long will the application stay open for?

Usually about a 4-6 weeks or so? Not too long, but also plenty of time to get it done.

 

[projector123]

Do you guys know if it is rolling admissions (like dental school admissions) or do they just review them all and pick the best? I'm trying to decide if it is important to submit right when it opens or if it's fine to get it in anytime before the deadline.

 

[cooliyak]

Do you guys know if it is rolling admissions (like dental school admissions) or do they just review them all and pick the best? I'm trying to decide if it is important to submit right when it opens or if it's fine to get it in anytime before the deadline.

It is not rolling.

 

[okiedokeartichoke]

Seems like it's opening kind of late this year, huh?

 

[uhds]

Does anyone know exactly when it opens?

 

[cooliyak]

Does anyone know exactly when it opens?

I’m pretty sure they don’t even know when it is going to open. Every year is different. It is usually around this time, but there is no set day. You just have to keep checking the website to see.

 

[XxxxDentLifexxxX]

Is there a word limit for the essays?

 

[cooliyak]

Is there a word limit for the essays?

Yes. Previously it was 2,500 characters/essay, but recently, the application guide changed to 500 words/essay. There has been some confusion surrounding which one it is, but I believe most people stick to whichever one is less just to be safe.

 

[coldicecream]

Still not open.
My bet is it'll open April 10th.

 

[pigman5010]

Guys while we wait, consider writing a letter to your congressman to support NHSC funding. Support the NHSC - Ask Your Representative to Cosign the Butterfield Letter today!
We need this program alive!

 

[ybrijette]

Application is open

 

[pigman5010]

Anyone else noticed that the second funding priority and third funding priority have swapped places?

 

[ShaykhD]

Anyone have an idea how important specific reference letters are compared with essay / overall application?

 

[cooliyak]

Anyone have an idea how important specific reference letters are compared with essay / overall application?

Essays are most important. Followed by letters and CV. There used to be a grading ruberic posted somewhere, but it has since been taken down.

 

[okiedokeartichoke]

Excited to get the ball rolling! 🙂

 

[Demooa]

Is there a number or email available to ask questions specifically about this scholarship application? The contact numbers are for BHW and other things.

 

[GoDental101]

Does the disadvantaged background verification need to be sent to the financial aid office of our dental school or undergrad?

 

[cooliyak]

Is there a number or email available to ask questions specifically about this scholarship application? The contact numbers are for BHW and other things.

I think that is all there is. They will likely have some webinars where you can ask questions. The webinars will be your best bet.

 

[cooliyak]

Does the disadvantaged background verification need to be sent to the financial aid office of our dental school or undergrad?

From what I understand, it need to be your dental school, but I actually am not sure about that.

 

[MedLife24]

Would it be okay to use LORs that I used for my medical school applications? I already have them in interfolio.

 

[cooliyak]

Would it be okay to use LORs that I used for my medical school applications? I already have them in interfolio.

I always recommend getting new letters. They are looking for very different things in these letters than your program application letters. And with how important they are, why not get new ones to increase your chances?

 

[toothfairy2023]

Would someone be willing to tell me how many words/characters the essays can be? I have the questions answered already, but if it is too long, I want to work on deleting some. I still have to confirm one of my LORs so I can't advance to the essay page unfortunately. Thanks in advance!

 

[cooliyak]

Would someone be willing to tell me how many words/characters the essays can be? I have the questions answered already, but if it is too long, I want to work on deleting some. I still have to confirm one of my LORs so I can't advance to the essay page unfortunately. Thanks in advance!

Either 2,500 characters/essay or 500 words/essay. It has been unclear in the past. Safest thing is try to meet both requirements.

 

[Tdent12]

What are you guys putting for program dates? I can’t find an academic calendar for all four years?

 

[cooliyak]

What are you guys putting for program dates? I can’t find an academic calendar for all four years?

Usually your school will have at least a graduation date and you should know your orientation date by now. From there, you can estimate the rest. It doesn’t have to be exact.

 

[okiedokeartichoke]

Is anyone else's school all year round (fall, spring, summer terms)? I had trouble putting the start and end dates of all four years since it has to fit within the NHSC SP fiscal year of July 1st and June 30th. I just entered from fall to spring. Do you think that'll suffice?

 

[ShaykhD]

If you are admitted somewhere but end up getting in off a waitlist somewhere else, do you think it matters? I will likely ask them soon anyway, but curious if anyone knows.

 

[cooliyak]

Is anyone else's school all year round (fall, spring, summer terms)? I had trouble putting the start and end dates of all four years since it has to fit within the NHSC SP fiscal year of July 1st and June 30th. I just entered from fall to spring. Do you think that'll suffice?

That is what happened with me so I just put the end of the year at June 30 and the beginning at July 1.

 

[cooliyak]

If you are admitted somewhere but end up getting in off a waitlist somewhere else, do you think it matters? I will likely ask them soon anyway, but curious if anyone knows.

It does. There have been multiple cases where people have been disqualified due to that. Make sure to call them and ask specifically how to handle that. I know at least one person who was able to make that work.

 

[coldicecream]

For the start and end dates that we are requesting funding, do we put the years we will be in dental school?
So I'm asking for 2 years and classes start Sept. Would I put Sept 2019-August 2020 and Sept 2020-Aug 2021?

 

[cooliyak]

For the start and end dates that we are requesting funding, do we put the years we will be in dental school?
So I'm asking for 2 years and classes start Sept. Would I put Sept 2019-August 2020 and Sept 2020-Aug 2021?

It has to fit within their fiscal year, so I would say Sep 2019-June 2020 and July 2020 to June 2021

 

[coldicecream]

It has to fit within their fiscal year, so I would say Sep 2019-June 2020 and July 2020 to June 2021

thanks!

 

[coldicecream]

has anyone found out if you send the Disadvantaged form to your undergrad or dental school before I call tomorrow?

 

[cooliyak]

has anyone found out if you send the Disadvantaged form to your undergrad or dental school before I call tomorrow?

I believe it is the dental school, but I’d need a second on that before you go with it. I didn’t fill one out, but I believe someone in the past had the same question and determined it was dental school.

 

[Pearl E. White]

has anyone found out if you send the Disadvantaged form to your undergrad or dental school before I call tomorrow?

Let us know what you find out.

 

[OnTheRoadToDDS]

Is it recommended to try and write close to the 500 word count limit or is it okay to write closer to 300? Does length matter?

 

[cooliyak]

Is it recommended to try and write close to the 500 word count limit or is it okay to write closer to 300? Does length matter?

If you can be compelling with only 300 words, I say go for it. I didn’t max out on words/characters when I applied.

 

[coldicecream]

Okay, so the Disadvantaged Form goes to the Financial Aid office at your undergrad.

 

[cooliyak]

Okay, so the Disadvantaged Form goes to the Financial Aid office at your undergrad.

Good to know! Thanks for checking! It is possible that the previous situation involved someone who was “non-traditional” and not coming directly from undergrad.

 

[despacito?]

Hi all,
In order to apply for this scholarship, you would have to commit to primary care right?

 

[cooliyak]

Hi all,
In order to apply for this scholarship, you would have to commit to primary care right?

Correct. Primary care is general practice, public health, and pediatrics. You can also do a GPR or AEGD if you choose.

 

[coldicecream]

Hi all,
In order to apply for this scholarship, you would have to commit to primary care right?

i was confused at that question too! lol
I thought it was a trick question

 

[California Bear]

Hey y'all. Current MS1. I was a first-time applicant and awarded the four-year scholarship last year. Let me know if you have any questions about the process!