Find Online Resources & Scholarships for Public Health Students
A public health degree can prepare for a rewarding career in fields such as epidemiology, healthcare education, and environmental health. But earning that degree takes time — and money. We’re here to help with access to some of the top scholarships for public health students offered today. We’ve additionally included great advice on submitting the best scholarship application possible and information on funding resources to keep you financially fit throughout your public health education and beyond.
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Scholarships and Grants for Public Health Students
Scholarships and grants are monetary awards made to students based on any of a number of factors, such as:
- Academic achievement
- Athletic ability
- Artistic talent
- Minority/special interest group affiliation
- Financial need
Scholarships and grants are particularly popular with students since (unlike student loans, for example) they’re not paid back. But finding scholarship contests for which you qualify takes a bit of work.
To help you out in that regard, here are ten of today’s best scholarships available to public health students.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Scholarship
More than 250 dietetic-related scholarships are available for students at all levels of study in various majors, including public health. Education programs must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
Students can apply for multiple scholarships with one universal application.
Amount: $500 to $25,000
Albert W. Dent and Foster G. McGaw Graduate Student Scholarship
Open to applicants entering the final year of a healthcare management graduate program with demonstrated financial need. Student membership in the American College of Healthcare Executives is preferred but not required.
Application materials include official transcripts, a current resume, three letters of recommendation, and an essay.
Amount: $5,000
NEHA/AAS Environmental Health Scholarships
Designed for full-time juniors, seniors, and graduate students in any of several majors (including public health) with a demonstrated commitment to a career in environmental health.
National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) membership is required for graduate applicants and strongly recommended for undergraduate applicants. Submittals include transcripts, letter of support, current resume, and answers to two short essay questions.
Amount: $2,650 (undergraduate); $3,750 (graduate)
David A. Winston Health Policy Scholarship
Available to full-time students in a health policy-related graduate degree program (including public health) with demonstrated potential to succeed in health policy, health management, and/or health administration at either the national or state level.
Required application submittals include transcripts, current resume, two letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Up to 20 awards are made annually.
Amount: $10,000
Dr. Becky J. Smith Scholarship
Applicant must be a full-time undergraduate (sophomore, junior, or senior) majoring in health education with a 3.0 or higher GPA. Required documents include two letters of recommendation plus an essay describing the applicant’s future educational and professional plans and need for financial aid.
Amount: $1,000
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Dr. Delbert Oberteuffer Scholarship
This scholarship is available to health education doctoral students who are investigating issues related to children and youth. Required documents include two letters of recommendation plus a personal essay that lists professional goals and outlines previous and current activities related to health education.
Amount: $1,500
Dr. Mary K. Beyrer Graduate Student Scholarship
Open to master’s degree and doctoral level graduate health education majors. Applicant must demonstrate professional activity by attending meetings and obtaining membership in organizations related to health education.
Required documents include two letters of recommendation and an essay that addresses future educational and professional plans.
Amount: $1,000
Andrea M. Rossiter, FACMPE Scholarship
This scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate student members of the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) with financial need who are pursuing a career in medical group management. Applicant must be enrolled in a degree program in public health, business administration, health care administration, or related field.
Amount: $2,500
Herschel S. Horowitz Scholarship for Dentists
This scholarship is available to dentists pursuing a Master’s of Public Health (MPH) degree. Preference is given to new dentists.
Required documents include a current CV, two letters of recommendation, career goals statement, and financial need statement.
Amount: $10,000
Vivian Drenckhahn Student Scholarship
Open to undergraduate and graduate students who are active members of the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) and demonstrate a commitment to public health through a career in health education. Applicant must additionally demonstrate financial need and academic excellence.
Application submittals include official transcripts, letter of recommendation, current resume, and a written statement.
Amount: $2,500
Keys to Succeeding with Public Health Scholarship Applications
As we mentioned, scholarships are very popular since the represent essentially free money for your education. But that popularity brings with it high competition for scholarship awards.
Therefore, it’s critical to your chances of winning that you submit the very best scholarship application possible. The following five tips will help you in doing just that.
Key #1: Get a good head start.
The best time to start your search for public health scholarships is at the same time you start looking for your degree program. There are lots of valuable scholarship opportunities out there, but finding those for which you’re both eligible and stand a good chance of winning will take some time and effort.
Putting together a great application package also takes time. So, again, start your scholarship search process as soon as possible.
Key #2: Consider scholarships with smaller awards.
Scholarships with big awards are great, but they’re also more competitive. Therefore, don’t turn your back on those with smaller award amounts.
Smaller scholarships almost always come with less competition, thus increasing your chances of winning. And picking up a few smaller awards can add up to big money.
Key #3: Tailor your essays and personal statements.
You can set yourself apart from other applicants with your essays and personal statements, but to do so requires tailoring your submittals to fit each scholarship sponsor’s specific purposes. So, take the extra time and effort to understand those purposes and have your essays and personal statements meet them.
Key #4: Go for the tough ones.
Some scholarship contests really make you work for them, with detailed applications, multiple essay questions and letters of recommendation, interviews, etc. Your initial reaction might be to avoid the hassle and pass them by.
But think about it: If you’re rejecting them, it’s likely others are, too. And that can mean less applicants which, in turn, means less competition.
So, pass on them if you will. But you do so at your own risk.
Key #5: Meet deadlines.
This last one is the most important. All scholarships have strict deadlines which you cannot miss.
So, once you decide to apply for a scholarship, mark down on your calendar any and all application and submittal deadlines. And refer back to your calendar on a regular basis.
It’s very simple: No matter how qualified you are or how good your application, miss a deadline and it’s all for nothing.
Essential Funding Resources for Public Health Students
Scholarships and grants are great sources of money for college. But if you’re like most students, additional funding support will be needed.
The resources below can help you in locating that funding, as well as provide you with valuable information and advice to help you succeed both financially and academically as you pursue your public health education.
American Public Health Association (APHA)
The APHA is a professional association dedicated to improving public health. Its Student Assembly is an 8,000-member student-led organization that connects members to leading experts, interest-based communities, and potential mentors.
Delta Omega
Public health honor society with over 30,000 members and 127 chapters throughout the United States. Membership benefits include networking, publication, and leadership development opportunities.
E-learning Resources for Global Health Researchers
Clearinghouse website from the National Institutes of Health with dozens of free and low-cost articles, training aids, courses, programs, and more. Public health students can use these resources for research papers, projects, theses, and scholarship essays.
Inside Online Doctor of Public Health Degree Programs
EduMed guide offering a detailed look at online DrPH degree programs, including admissions requirements, curriculum content, career options for graduates, and more.
National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
The NCHS website compiles and distributes health-related statistical information that is useful to physicians, healthcare providers, researchers, policy makers, and other professionals, as well as public health students who are conducting research.
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