Access to Education and Advancement in Healthcare Scholarship for Incoming Students

Purpose of the Access to Education and Advancement in Healthcare Scholarship for Incoming Students

The Access to Education and Advancement in Healthcare Scholarship is designed to remove financial barriers for students pursuing careers in healthcare. This scholarship supports individuals who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to leadership, service, and the improvement of healthcare access. By investing in future healthcare professionals, we aim to foster a diverse and dedicated workforce that will contribute to advancing patient care and community well-being. 

Scholarship Benefits

Recipients of this scholarship will receive an award covering 25% of tuition for each term in which they remain eligible. 

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

  • Demonstrate financial need.
  • Show leadership qualities through academic, professional, or community involvement.
  • Have a strong commitment to improving healthcare access and patient outcomes, demonstrated through volunteer work, advocacy, or employment in related fields.
  • Be accepted into one of the following healthcare-related programs:
    • Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
    • Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (Completion) 
    • Chiropractic
    • Massage Therapy*
    • Medical Laboratory Technology
    • Radiation Therapy
    • Radiologic Technology
    • Bachelor of Science in Human Biology (Undergraduate Health Sciences)

*Shiatsu Certificate is not eligible for scholarships. 

Scholarship Renewal Criteria

To maintain eligibility, recipients must:

  • Maintain a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA.
  • Make satisfactory progress toward program completion.
  • Participate in at least two university events per term, such as community service projects, student leadership initiatives, or admissions recruitment events.
  • Serve as a mentor or advocate for prospective students exploring healthcare careers.

Application Process

Applicates must submit:

  1. Submit an application, including the items listed below.
  2. Personal Statement (300-500 words). (Questions are revised and match the donor scholarship questions. Applicants can use the same essay for both scholarship applications).
    1. Describe a time when you demonstrated leadership in a professional or academic setting. How did your actions influence the outcome of a project, team, or initiative. Please provide specific examples of the situation, your role, and the impact of your leadership.
    2. Please share an experience where you had to overcome a significant obstacle in your academic or personal life. Explain how you addressed the challenge, what you learned from it, and how it has shaped your approach to future difficulties. 
    3. What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare, and how do you plan to contribute to making health professions education and services more accessible to others?
  3. Resume
    1. Highlight leadership roles, volunteer work, or employment related to healthcare access and patient advocacy. 
  4. Statement of Financial Need (300 word maximum)
    1. Describe financial challenges, including student loans and other sources of financial assistance. 
  5. Two Professional Letters of Recommendation
    1. References should address the applicant’s leadership, financial need, and commitment to healthcare advancement. 

Please direct questions about the application process to Taylor Johnson at tjohnson02@nwhealth.edu.

If you have questions about expectations of scholarship recipients, please reach out to Student Affairs at studentaffairs@nwhealth.edu.

Scholarship Application Deadlines

The Summer 2025 application cycle is now open!
Incoming Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine and Chiropractic Students will apply for the Fall 2025 term application cycle:
    • Final application deadline: Monday, July 7th at 11:59pm for completion of the application, including letters of recommendation.
    • Interviews by invitation only: Friday, July 25th.
Incoming Massage Therapy, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Radiation Therapy, Radiologic Technology and Human Biology BS completion Students:
    • Final application deadline: Friday, April 4th, 2025 at 11:59pm for completion of the application, including letters of recommendation.
    • Interviews by invitation only: Monday, April 14th, 2025.

Award Notification

Access to Education and Advancement in Healthcare Scholarship applicants are notified via email about interview status approximately two weeks after the deadline date. Those who are selected to interview will find out about the scholarship award within two weeks following the interviews.

Upon Completion of Your Education

By reducing your educational debt, the Access to Education and Advancement in Healthcare Scholarship allows you to focus your time and energy on serving your community through your clinical practice. The ultimate goal of this scholarship is to inspire you to continue to serve communities in need of health care after graduation and to keep you engaged with the campus community. Therefore, upon graduation, Access to Education and Advancement in Healthcare Scholarship recipients will serve two years as Alumni Ambassadors under the guidance and supervision of the Director of Admissions.

Upon receipt of a scholarship award, an adjustment may be made to your financial aid package to meet federal regulations and institutional policies.