Scholarships, Loans, and Loan Repayment for Rural Health Professions – Funding & Opportunities

Health Professional Scholarship Program Vet Center Scholarship Program
Scholarships for specific behavioral/mental health professional students. Recipients agree to a 6 year service obligation at a Vet Center Readjustment Counseling Service site. Applicants from rural, tribal, and other underserved communities are encouraged.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Feb 27, 2026
Sponsor: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

National Center for Farmworker Health Bobbi Ryder Ag Worker Health Champion Award
Scholarships for individuals pursuing or continuing their career in healthcare, thus contributing to the development of the health center workforce and improving access to care for the agricultural worker population.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Feb 27, 2026
Sponsor: National Center for Farmworker Health

Veterans Affairs Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP)
Scholarships for health professions students in disciplines for which recruitment or retention is difficult, as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. A minimum service obligation of 2 years is required.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Feb 27, 2026
Sponsor: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Indian Health Service Health Professions Scholarship Program
Scholarships for American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate- and graduate-level students enrolled in specific health professions degree programs.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Feb 28, 2026
Sponsors: Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Indian Health Service Pre-Graduate Scholarship Program
Scholarships for American Indian and Alaska Native students to enroll in courses leading to a bachelor's degree in pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-nursing, and other subjects needed by the Indian health programs.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Feb 28, 2026
Sponsors: Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Indian Health Service Preparatory Scholarship
Scholarships for American Indian and Alaska Native students who are enrolled in pre-professional programs.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Feb 28, 2026
Sponsors: Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Udall Undergraduate Scholarship
Scholarships for Native American and Alaska Native undergraduate students pursuing careers related to tribal public policy, native healthcare, and the environment.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Mar 4, 2026
Sponsor: Morris K Udall and Stewart L Udall Foundation

Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program
Loan repayment assistance for registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, and nursing school faculty who agree to work at a Critical Shortage Facility or an eligible school of nursing.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Mar 12, 2026
Sponsors: Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program
Loan repayment assistance for eligible primary healthcare professionals who agree to serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. Territories
Application Deadline: Mar 31, 2026
Sponsors: Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration, National Health Service Corps, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program
Loan repayment assistance for medical, nursing, and behavioral/mental health clinicians with specific training and credentials to provide evidence-based substance use disorder treatment in rural communities designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. Territories
Application Deadline: Mar 31, 2026
Sponsors: Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration, National Health Service Corps, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services