Receiving the National Health Service Corps Scholarship is a life-changing event that enables many students to receive health professions training they thought would be beyond their means, then use that training to care for people who might otherwise go without.
The generous scholarship covers most training expenses and, other than the monthly stipend, is tax free.
When you are selected to receive the NHSC scholarship, you receive a "Welcome to the NHSC" letter and copy of your contract, which you signed and submitted with your application. You will also be assigned an NHSC analyst who can answer your questions and give you guidance. You should be sure to save a copy of the Applicant Information Bulletin from the year you applied. It contains information on placement, deferral, leave of absence and the service commitment.
To be sure your scholarship is successful and you are prepared to serve where you are needed most, you need to meet the following requirements:
- Data Collection Worksheet (sent to your school by the NHSC) must be submitted by your school annually to document all your eligible expenses.
- Scholar Verification Letter (sent to your school by the NHSC) must be submitted by your school twice a year to confirm your eligibility for scholarship support
- Six Month Verification Form (e-mailed to you) must be submitted to verify your personal information — such as Social Security number, contact information and academic status.
Failure to submit these forms could result in suspension of your scholarship.
Scholarship Payments
Your tuition and fees are paid directly to your school. As soon as your NHSC scholarship support begins, you must be enrolled in school full time until you graduate. If you have to retake a class, you must add it to a full-time course load to maintain your eligibility. If you need to take a leave of absence, it must first be approved by the NHSC.
Funding is limited to four years and funding for any part of a school year counts as one full year. Before taking courses over the summer, for example, check with your NHSC analyst to be sure you do jeopardize your full-time scholarship status during a future semester, which would make you ineligible for any scholarship support (tuition and stipend).
The first NHSC deposit directly to your bank account is made in November. It will include the July through September monthly stipend and the other reasonable costs payment for the entire year.
When to Contact the NHSC
Contact your NHSC analyst any time you have a question or need help and every time you
- Want to change either your school or course of study
- Change your bank account
- Move to a new mailing address
- Switch to a different primary e-mail address
- Need to take a leave of absence for medical or personal reasons
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