Scholarships for Health Professions Students from Disadvantaged Backgrounds
Open Opportunities (1)
Live Grants.gov opportunities funded under this program — you can apply now.
- Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) Deadline: Jul 28, 2026 · up to $650K
See all grants from Health Resources and Services Administration →
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Who has received this funding
Organizations awarded under CFDA 93.925 (USAspending.gov).
- The Association Of State And Territorial Health Officials $7,264,108
- University Of Washington $4,178,364
- Bastyr University $4,113,434
- State University Of New York Health Scie $4,095,843
- Vanderbilt University $3,950,493
- University Of New Mexico $3,924,941
- University Of Pikeville, Inc. $3,924,941
- University Of California, Los Angeles $3,924,941
- Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi $3,924,165
- Mercy University $3,921,495
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) program increases diversity in the health professions and nursing workforce by providing awards to eligible health professions schools for use in awarding scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have financial need, including students who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups. The SDS program aims to increase the: 1) number of graduates practicing in primary care, 2) enrollment and retention of full-time students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including students who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups, and 3) number of graduates working in medically underserved communities (MUCs). Schools provide scholarships, maintain and operate a program to recruit and retain students from disadvantaged backgrounds that encourages completion of school and service in primary care and in medically underserved communities.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- U.S. State Government
- Local
- Federally Recognized Tribal Government
- U.S. Territory Government
- Nonprofit Organization
Accredited public or non-profit private schools of medicine, nursing, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, podiatric medicine, optometry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, allied health, public health, a school offering a graduate program in behavioral and mental health practice, or an entity providing programs for the training of physician assistants. 1) At least 20 percent of the total enrollment (full-time enrolled) of a degree program over three specified academic years period must be students from disadvantaged backgrounds; and 2) At least 20 percent of the total graduates (who were full-time students) of a degree program over three specified academic years period must have been from disadvantaged backgrounds. Faith-based and community-based organizations, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Government and Native American Organizations are eligible to apply if all other eligibility requirements are met.
Beneficiaries
- U.S. State Government
- Local
- Federally Recognized Tribal Government
- Nonprofit Organization
- U.S. Territory Government
Students who are citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents of the United States or the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico or the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the American Samoa, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia; and enrolled full-time in health professions or nursing schools. A student who is in this country on a student or visitor's visa is not eligible.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Notification is made in writing (electronic) by a Notice of Award.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 120 to 180 days
Approximately 120 - 180 days after receipt of applications.
Program details & compliance
Description
The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) program provides awards to eligible health professions schools for use in awarding scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have financial need, including students who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups
Mission Categories
Primary: General Health and Medical
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
SDS funds awarded to schools must be used to award full or partial scholarships to eligible students enrolled in health professions programs on a full-time basis. Scholarships may only be expended for tuition expenses, other reasonable educational expenses, and reasonable living expenses incurred while in attendance for the year. The Secretary is required to make available at least 16 percent of the funds to schools that will provide scholarships only for nursing students. The Secretary may not make a grant to a school unless the school is carrying out a program for recruiting and retaining students from disadvantaged backgrounds and has met the eligibility criteria of demonstrating the success of outcome measures. Indirect costs for training awards cannot exceed 8% of modified total direct costs. Student scholarship awards shall equal an amount no less than 50 percent of the student’s annual tuition costs. Student scholarships must not exceed $50,000 per academic year for dental students or $40,000 per academic year for all other health and nursing professionals. The scholarship may not exceed a recipient’s cost of tuition expenses, other reasonable educational expenses and reasonable living expenses incurred in attendance at such school. The scholarship also may not exceed the student’s financial need. In providing scholarships under the SDS program, schools are required to give preference to students for whom the cost of attendance would constitute a severe financial hardship and to former recipients of scholarships under sections 736 [Scholarships for Students of Exceptional Financial Need] and 740(d)(2)(B) [Financial Assistance for Disadvantaged Health Professions Students] (as such sections existed on the day before the date of enactment of this section) of the Public Health Service Act. Funds may not be used for administrative costs. Funds can only be used for direct costs; indirect cost are unallowable. Student scholarship awards shall equal an amount no less than 50 percent of the student’s annual tuition costs up to a maximum amount of $40,000 to cover the cost of attendance. No student can be awarded SDS funds greater than $40,000 per year. The scholarship may not exceed a recipient’s cost of tuition expenses, other reasonable educational expenses and reasonable living expenses incurred in attendance at such school. The scholarship also may not exceed the student’s financial need. Funds may not be used for administrative costs.
Restrictions
Funds may not be used for administrative costs.
Required Documentation
Applicants should review the individual HRSA Notice of Funding Opportunity issued under this assistance listing for any required proof or certifications which must be submitted prior to or simultaneous with submission of an application package.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements