National Health Service Corps scholarship application cycle opens

The 2011-2012 application cycle is now open for National Health Service Corps awards scholarships, offered each year to students pursuing careers in primary care. Students commit to serve in the Corps for two to four years in an underserved community located in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HSPA) upon their graduation and licensure. The deadline to apply is Thursday, June 9 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

The scholarship includes:

• payment for tuition, required fees, and other reasonable educational costs,
• monthly support stipend (taxable), and
• assistance in finding a practice site.

National Health Service Corps Scholars commit to serve one year for each year of support (minimum of two years' service) at an approved site in a high-need HPSA soon after they graduate, serve a primary care residency (family medicine, general pediatrics, general internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology or psychiatry for physicians and general or pediatric for dentists) and are licensed.

The application and program guidance are online, as are supporting documents.