NHSC Scholarship Question

[kuef1pet]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So I have been looking and feel like I would be a good fit for the nhsc scholarship. I understand the tuition is covered for each year I agree to serve in an underrepresented area. My question though is what kind of a living stipend or salary is also given during those years practicing at an underrepresented site? I know it probably varies by location but if I leave undergrad with $300,000 in debt that means my scholarship would roughly be $75,000+ the acrueing interest before any extra living stipend.

 

[whaleofatale]

So I have been looking and feel like I would be a good fit for the nhsc scholarship. I understand the tuition is covered for each year I agree to serve in an underrepresented area. My question though is what kind of a living stipend or salary is also given during those years practicing at an underrepresented site? I know it probably varies by location but if I leave undergrad with $300,000 in debt that means my scholarship would roughly be $75,000+ the acrueing interest before any extra living stipend.

Salary and benefits are competitive with new graduate salaries in public health elsewhere. Salary is going to vary wildly between locations. There is no living stipend offered while you are working for the NHSC (so, post-graduation when you are working at your site), but you will receive a modest living stipend during school. Lowball for new graduate salaries (depending on location) is between $90,000 - $115,000.

 

[DoctaFauci]

In addition to what the above poster has said, be clear that the NHSC scholarship and the salary/benefits of the site are independent of one another. The NHSC simply funds the scholarship during school, and in turn the dentist is obligated to work at an approved site. Approved sites have no direct affiliation/funding with the NHSC; NHSC scholars must simply work at sites that meet qualifications, meaning ones that accept Medicaid, operate a sliding fee scale, and are located in a designated HPSA (usually a score of 16+).

I'll also say that the scholarship is EXTREMELY limited for dental; less than 40 or so are awarded nationally per year. Most money is being allocated for the loan repayment program, which is not competitive. NHSC sites are all independent, so salaries will range. I think the national average is $110-120,000 salary for a first-year NHSC dentist.

http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/scholarships/overview/