Prepatory and Pregraduate Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Indian Health Service

Introduction
The Indian Health Service (IHS) administers three scholarship programs for American Indian and Alaska Native students to prepare and train health professionals for Indian health programs. These scholarships aim to cultivate future leaders in Indian health and make careers in this field more accessible to American Indian and Alaska Native learners.

Available Scholarships

1. Preparatory Scholarship
Provides financial support to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduates who are members or descendants of federally recognized, state-recognized, or terminated Tribes or Alaska Native villages. This award is intended for students enrolled in preparatory or prerequisite coursework that leads to admission into an approved health professions degree program.

2. Pre-Graduate Scholarship
Offers financial assistance to qualified American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate students who are members or descendants of federally recognized, state-recognized, or terminated Tribes or Alaska Native villages. It supports study toward a bachelor’s degree in pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-nursing, or other disciplines needed by Indian health programs.

3. Health Professions Scholarship
Provides funding to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native students at the undergraduate and graduate level who are members of federally recognized Tribes or Alaska Native villages and are enrolled in an eligible health professions degree program. Recipients accept a service obligation to work in full-time clinical practice at an Indian health facility after completing academic and/or post-graduate clinical training.

Eligibility Overview
Before applying, verify that you meet all eligibility criteria and review the specific scholarship agreement or contract associated with the award you seek.

Citizenship and Selective Service
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens (born or naturalized) or U.S. nationals.
- Males aged 18 or older must be registered with the Selective Service.

Acceptable proof of citizenship (copies required):
- Birth certificate
- Valid U.S. passport
- Certificate of citizenship or naturalization

Note: A driver’s license or Social Security card will not be accepted as proof of citizenship.

Tribal or Village Membership
- Preparatory and Pre-Graduate Scholarships: Eligible applicants must be a member or descendant of a federally recognized, state-recognized, or terminated American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native village.
- Health Professions Scholarship: Eligible applicants must be a member of a federally recognized American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native village.

Academic Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be accepted into an accredited program within the United States.
- Maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.
- Intend to serve Indian people as a health professional in their chosen field.

Program Agreement / Contract
- Preparatory and Pre-Graduate recipients must be willing to sign an IHS Scholarship Program Agreement affirming their commitment to continue into the designated health profession degree program.
- Health Professions recipients must be willing to sign an IHS Scholarship Program Contract, which includes a minimum two-year service obligation to practice at an Indian health facility upon completion of academic and/or post-graduate training. Failure to meet contract terms may lead to default actions.

If you have questions about specific documentation, tribal eligibility, or service obligations, contact the IHS scholarship office for guidance before applying.