Health Professional Scholarship Program

Funding for new awards for the 2012-13 Academic Year is suspended.

The purpose of the Health Professional Scholarship Program is to attract and retain students pursuing careers in the health care field to serve in critical shortage areas in Washington State.  The Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to students training to become primary care health professionals.  In return for financial assistances, students agree to provide primary health care services in rural or underserved urban areas that are designated as health professional shortage areas.

Since 2010, program funding for scholarships has been reduced and new scholarships are not being awarded at this time.  Current participants will continue to receive funding and will continue to complete their service obligation.

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.

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

Due to the suspension of funding for new awards under this program, there will not be an application cycle for the 2011-12 academic year.  Please check our website in January 2012 to see if funding has been restored and if there will be a 2012-13 application cycle.

For additional information contact

E-mail: health@wsac.wa.gov
Phone: Chris Wilkins at 360.596.4817