NHSC Scholarship 2020-2021

[John Muir]

Congratulations to all the finalists! To all those who are still waiting, chin up! there are usually multiple rounds of finalist emails going out. Don't lose hope 🙂

Having been through this process before, I disagree with you. Now is the perfect time to start accepting reality.

Congratulations to those of you who won, I have honestly no idea how you did it.

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[doc2be6266]

I am a medical student and received a notice that I am a Scholarship Program finalist late last night. Does submission of the required forms equate to a contractual agreement for the funds? Congrats to all!

 

[pirategirl2010]

Is the first round usually the one with the largest number of notifications i.e. should I give up hope?

 

[taote.niho]

I’m dental, applied for the second time, in my 2nd year of school, got the finalist email last night. Would someone explain the counter signature? The only two documents we are given to fill out are the W-4 for tax purposes and the verification of student/good standing status. On what document will the counter signature appear if we are awarded the scholarship? Is there an additional form that i haven’t seen yet? Thanks in advance and congrats.

 

[taote.niho]

Also, does anyone know for sure if electronic signatures are acceptable for the documents we are filling out?

 

[bphilly812]

I’m dental, applied for the second time, in my 2nd year of school, got the finalist email last night. Would someone explain the counter signature? The only two documents we are given to fill out are the W-4 for tax purposes and the verification of student/good standing status. On what document will the counter signature appear if we are awarded the scholarship? Is there an additional form that i haven’t seen yet? Thanks in advance and congrats.

After you completed that banking page and submit the W4/EVF the next page is the contract where you sign your end of the contract. When you submit that, your electronic signature is recorded and then, for me, my status changed to "Accepted Award - Under Final Review" the final step is waiting for the Secretary of Health & Human Services to sign their end of the contract to make it official.

Also, does anyone know for sure if electronic signatures are acceptable for the documents we are filling out?

I'm not sure about this, but any questions I had I just called and talked to someone so that I had some guidance.

 

[doc2be6266]

Also, does anyone know for sure if electronic signatures are acceptable for the documents we are filling out?

I called this morning- electronic signatures are acceptable.

 

[anondent20]

What did you guys put for the last day of class? The actual last day or June 30 like we did on the portal?

 

[bphilly812]

What did you guys put for the last day of class? The actual last day or June 30 like we did on the portal?

I let the registrar fill mine out...

 

[wishfulthinking123]

For those who got it, did yall all get credit checked around august 10th?
Are the 1st, 2nd and 3rd round finalists based on if the 1st round finalists deciding to accept or deny their reward, so then that opens up spots for 2nd round finalists, or is it just that they separate the finalists into groups so that they send out ~ the same # of emails with every round?

 

[Jasmine92]

Corre

I'm dental. Also question on specializing on one of the approved ones. If I decided to do peds and the residency program had tuition it would not be paid by NHSC correct? I'm 99% sure the answer is no but just wanted confirmation.

Correct. NHSC does not pay for residencies, but if you were to do one of the listed residencies, they would allow you to defer your service obligation to complete the residency program.

 

[pirategirl2010]

For those who got it, did yall all get credit checked around august 10th?
Are the 1st, 2nd and 3rd round finalists based on if the 1st round finalists deciding to accept or deny their reward, so then that opens up spots for 2nd round finalists, or is it just that they separate the finalists into groups so that they send out ~ the same # of emails with every round?

Also would like to know this...

 

[bphilly812]

For those who got it, did yall all get credit checked around august 10th?
Are the 1st, 2nd and 3rd round finalists based on if the 1st round finalists deciding to accept or deny their reward, so then that opens up spots for 2nd round finalists, or is it just that they separate the finalists into groups so that they send out ~ the same # of emails with every round?

My credit check was August 10th, yes! Not sure about the behind the scenes logistics though, I've been curious about that myself.

 

[anondent20]

For those who got it, did yall all get credit checked around august 10th?
Are the 1st, 2nd and 3rd round finalists based on if the 1st round finalists deciding to accept or deny their reward, so then that opens up spots for 2nd round finalists, or is it just that they separate the finalists into groups so that they send out ~ the same # of emails with every round?

IIrc @cooliyak has said before that the rounds are based upon the previous finalists rejecting the award. I am not certain myself though!

 

[predentals]

I’m surprised only 6 or 7 people are finalists this year. Unless people just haven’t posted about it. Last year there were 28 finalists from SDN.

maybe it’s just me trying to hang on to hope! Fingers crossed I’m in round 2 or 3 along with everyone else that’s waiting!!

 

[fabigail9597]

I know when I called today they said not to rely on when others were getting their finalist notifications speifically because they were going out at random times... idk...that's just what they said to me

 

[Nenetl2020]

I know when I called today they said not to rely on when others were getting their finalist notifications speifically because they were going out at random times... idk...that's just what they said to me

This is the ounce of positivity I needed to sleep tonight

 

[fabigail9597]

This is the ounce of positivity I needed to sleep tonight

I'm a super realist so normally I'd be like well that's that...BUT it is 2020...so pretty sure anything can happen at this point lol

 

[radicalmonkey13579]

What does "Accepted Award - Under Final Review" mean?

 

[bphilly812]

What does "Accepted Award - Under Final Review" mean?

It's what your status changes to after you submit the finalist paperwork/signatures.

 

[radicalmonkey13579]

It's what your status changes to after you submit the finalist paperwork/signatures.

Does it mean that you got the scholarship?

 

[taote.niho]

Does it mean that you got the scholarship?

It means that you are a finalist. Now you need to go to your portal and submit the documents that it instructs you to submit. Historically, the vast majority of finalists are offered the scholarship.

 

[radicalmonkey13579]

It means that you are a finalist. Now you need to go to your portal and submit the documents that it instructs you to submit. Historically, the vast majority of finalists are offered the scholarship.

Thanks for your help. Last question: do you know when "finalists" officially find out if they received the scholarship?

 

[bphilly812]

Does it mean that you got the scholarship?

When you become a finalist your status will first say "Finalist for Award" and once you submit the appropriate documents you will change to "Accepted Award - Under Final Review"...at least that's how it happened for me!

 

[taote.niho]

Thanks for your help. Last question: do you know when "finalists" officially find out if they received the scholarship?

No I do not. Here is this for reference that someone posted at the beginning of the thread:

 

[masterearthbender]

I am a finalist! I received the email last night (8/19) at 7pm PST.

 

[Jasmine92]

The customer service representative said we'd receive an answer no later than September 30th, but likely before that.

 

[pigman5010]

I called this morning to ask about the W4 and for fun asked how likely you are to receive the scholarship if you are a finalist...was told that if nothing has changed in your application (ie: school, academic standing, etc.) then there's typically no reason you wouldn't receive a countersignature. Obviously take it with a grain of salt, but I figured I would share!

that sounds promising. Hope the guy is right.

 

[agdent0316]

Anyone else concerned about getting those signatures back from school's registrar on time?? They gave such a small time frame 🙁

 

[Dr. Attucks]

Anyone else concerned about getting those signatures back from school's registrar on time?? They gave such a small time frame 🙁

yeah I sent my form to the registrars office yesterday and still have not got a response, the reduced time frame could be a sinister way for the NHSC to winnow the finalist down lol

 

[bphilly812]

Anyone else concerned about getting those signatures back from school's registrar on time?? They gave such a small time frame 🙁

I would call if I were you. I literally sent the e-mail to 4-5 different people that I thought might be able to help and was able to get the form back the same day. I felt super annoying, but gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[agdent0316]

I would call if I were you. I literally sent the e-mail to 4-5 different people that I thought might be able to help and was able to get the form back the same day. I felt super annoying, but gotta do what you gotta do.

I was planning to call around 2-3PM before close of business because I am sure they are not working the weekend!! UGH. Wish they could give us at least a week!

 

[bphilly812]

I was planning to call around 2-3PM before close of business because I am sure they are not working the weekend!! UGH. Wish they could give us at least a week!

I agree, it's not ideal that half of the deadline includes a weekend...fingers crossed for you! I would contemplate going up there in-person despite the circumstances if you don't get through to anyone.

 

[Stoplyingaboutyourstats]

I'm dental. Also question on specializing on one of the approved ones. If I decided to do peds and the residency program had tuition it would not be paid by NHSC correct? I'm 99% sure the answer is no but just wanted confirmation.

correct. they do not pay for any residencies

 

[anondent20]

For those of you that took out federal student loans for tuition already, when will you be reaching out to the school to inform them it is likely the NHSC will be making payment instead and you will be returning all loans? Wondering if it is best to give a heads up now or to wait until it is all confirmed and just let them know then. Trying to avoid paying any of the loan fees for the federal loans of course.

 

[bphilly812]

For those of you that took out federal student loans for tuition already, when will you be reaching out to the school to inform them it is likely the NHSC will be making payment instead and you will be returning all loans? Wondering if it is best to give a heads up now or to wait until it is all confirmed and just let them know then. Trying to avoid paying any of the loan fees for the federal loans of course.

I'm not telling anybody anything until I know for sure, don't wanna jinx anything. However, I did read in previous years that you get instructions on how to go about this if you are awarded the scholarship.

 

[anondent20]

I'm not telling anybody anything until I know for sure, don't wanna jinx anything. However, I did read in previous years that you get instructions on how to go about this if you are awarded the scholarship.

Perfect! Just wasn't sure if we are allowed to take a student loan refund and then return it all, but seems like I will be able to. Thanks for the help!

 

[bphilly812]

Perfect! Just wasn't sure if we are allowed to take a student loan refund and then return it all, but seems like I will be able to. Thanks for the help!

No worries, I think you have 180 (maybe 120?) days to return loan money. So it works out I believe!

 

[memedical]

I will be applying for this scholarship next year. Can anyone give me some input that would make me a better candidate for this scholarship. I hear it is pretty competitive and you need to have a bunch of EC's showing your commitment toward primary care. So, if anyone can give me some advice, I'd really appreciate it. Thank! 🙂

 

[Ole_Toe]

I will be applying for this scholarship next year. Can anyone give me some input that would make me a better candidate for this scholarship. I hear it is pretty competitive and you need to have a bunch of EC's showing your commitment toward primary care. So, if anyone can give me some advice, I'd really appreciate it. Thank! 🙂

I applied this year and would also like to know

 

[MD Loading]

There were three award notification dates last year so keep your heads up. Now if I haven't heard back in two weeks, then...

 

[bphilly812]

I feel like whoever said this before was correct when saying that they probably will send more emails after the first round finalist’s paperwork is due. So hopefully Monday or Tuesday!

 

[anondent20]

I will be applying for this scholarship next year. Can anyone give me some input that would make me a better candidate for this scholarship. I hear it is pretty competitive and you need to have a bunch of EC's showing your commitment toward primary care. So, if anyone can give me some advice, I'd really appreciate it. Thank! 🙂

Honestly I think it is very much a crapshoot to some extent -- a lot of people are going to have the ECs showing commitment, solid essays, and solid LORs. No one knows how they choose amongst those people. I wouldn't worry too much about what they are looking for and just make sure you have significant experiences that you can passionately write about in the essays. In my eyes 2 solid experiences that you can really write about for an entire essay beats out multiple other experiences that you can only write about for a paragraph. Again, I think it is luck to some extent, but thats jus what I think.

 

[radicalmonkey13579]

In previous years, have there been finalists who have NOT received the scholarship?

 

[taote.niho]

Does anyone know if you can still take out loans for living expenses if you have this scholarship? May be a silly question, I just want to be sure.

 

[anondent20]

Does anyone know if you can still take out loans for living expenses if you have this scholarship? May be a silly question, I just want to be sure.

Yes I believe you can. I am assuming the scholarship + loans would need to be below your school's COA which is reasonable enough for most people.

 

[HuskersForTD]

yes you can. Your school will let you know how much you can borrow based on your FAFSA. I don't know how they calculated though. maybe like 15% -30% of COA for personal use, I think

 

[HuskersForTD]

Does anyone know if you can still take out loans for living expenses if you have this scholarship? May be a silly question, I just want to be sure.

Very rare, from what I read. They might co-signed later but havn't read or heard about it. Most likely to get it.

 

[bphilly812]

In previous years, have there been finalists who have NOT received the scholarship?

I’ve only found 3 people in the 2016-2017 cycle. Can you tell I’m anxious/worried about that too lol

 

[judoberu-dmd]

I will be applying for this scholarship next year. Can anyone give me some input that would make me a better candidate for this scholarship. I hear it is pretty competitive and you need to have a bunch of EC's showing your commitment toward primary care. So, if anyone can give me some advice, I'd really appreciate it. Thank! 🙂

I know this might be cliche, but my biggest advice would be to genuinely assess yourself. There are so many applicants vying for so few scholarship slots, that the best thing you can do is try to convey your extracurriculars, service-minded outlook, and commitments to academic/professional excellence in less of an informative and more of a narrative manner. Weave your explanations of how your experiences qualify you in and out of personal anecdotes, and don't be afraid to lean into your hardships/stumbles. Focus less on a laundry list of accolades and more on how one personal skill or experience has helped you to overcome a certain challenge. The NHSC knows that no applicant is perfect, so an applicant who only touts their acheivements and looks perfect on-paper -- rather than portraying themselves as human (i.e., flawed, but working through life best they know how) -- will likely come across as disingenuous rather than prepared/thorough. Plus, you don't have to input your MCAT/DAT scores, so they're obviously more concerned about what you stand for and why and less about what you've done.

Additionally, I don't know if they even read it, but I uploaded a cover letter in the section titled "Additional Supporting Documents" -- really intended for uploading documents explaining prior service obligations (i.e., HPSP, state-subsidized contract) and other administrative items that may affect your ability to fulfill your contractual requirements. But there was nothing in the rules that expressly stated you can't attach an additional explication of yourself. I found the essay questions very focalized, so I used this cover letter to expound on the idea that,, while any health professional should strive to give the best care regardless of their financial circumstances, the NHSC SP would grant me the mental and financial freedom to truly hone my empathy and patient-centered philosophy, rather than constantly thinking about how much I "need to make back" to pay off my loans. I'm a D1, finalist for a 4-year award. Hope this helps!