nhs scholarship essay

nhs scholarship essay

The Importance of NHS Scholarships

1. Introduction

The NHS scholarship is a financially rewarding program that provides incentives for the most exceptional students to pursue careers in primary care. The scholarship is designed to provide financial incentives for talented students to pursue careers as primary care physicians, dentists, certified nurse-midwives, physician assistants, clinical or counseling psychologists, or licensed clinical social workers in exchange for loan repayment. As a high school student, I understand the struggles, hopes, and dreams of building a career and would like to provide the youth with a broader experience and awareness of the medical field in primary care by showing the current status of the medical system, with a primary focus on the financial aspects and how it reflects the NHS scholarship. This topic interests me more now that college must be considered and opportunities take much investment. Although my interest rises primarily on the financial aspects, it is still beneficial for anyone interested in the medical field as it will give an understanding of the role of a primary care doctor and the reasons to support such a career path.

2. The Benefits of NHS Scholarships

One of the most prestigious scholarships the NSHS offers is the National Council of Excellence Scholarship. This scholarship is available to NHS chapters that have achieved the NASC Gold Level of Excellence award. Each year, ten of the applicant chapters will be selected as National Council of Excellence Winners and will receive a $1,000 award. This effort program is a good motivator for chapters to continue their efforts to support the four pillars and to continue improving their school and community.

There are two types of scholarships. The NHS Scholarship program is for senior members. Each year the NHS in partnership with the parent organization sponsors the NHS Scholarship program which is underwritten by the parent organization. Recipients of the program receive a $3,000 scholarship. In order to apply for the NHS scholarship, students must be a current member in good standing. Students are judged based on their demonstrated work to support the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Advisors will select the student who best exemplifies this commitment.

There are many benefits to being a National Honor Society scholar. In order to help NSHS members recognize the benefits of their membership, the NSHS established the scholarship program in 1946. At the present time, there are 400 scholarship programs totaling nearly $900,000 awarded to members attending colleges and universities in the United States.

3. Eligibility Criteria for NHS Scholarships

High school graduates and undergraduates interested in a variety of healthcare careers are eligible for the scholarship. To be eligible for a scholarship, an applicant must be a member of a high school or college chapter of the NHS and be a current or alumnus member in good standing. High school students must be a senior in a US high school at the time of application. Graduating high school and undergraduate members must have been a member in good standing for two or more years. Students from a chapter not affiliated with NHS should contact the NHS adviser at the nearest high school with an active chapter; the chapter adviser can supply assistance in completing the application. Undergraduate members are those students who are enrolled in a post-secondary education program, whether it is a 2 or 4-year institution. The scholarship program is only open to students who are United States citizens or have a permanent resident visa. International members are not eligible to apply for the scholarship.

Table of Contents: 3. Eligibility Criteria for NHS Scholarships

4. How to Apply for NHS Scholarships

When looking into an NHS scholarship, there are a few key things to keep in mind. The most efficient way to go about applying for such a scholarship is to touch base with the counselor at one’s school who is responsible for handling all matters related to the NHS. These counselors will have the most up-to-date information regarding available scholarships and will usually be more than happy to assist in the application process. Not only will an NHS counselor be able to provide information on scholarships, they can also help to guide an NHS member in touching base with the local chapter of the NHS, a potentially valuable resource for learning about available scholarships specific to a region. Once a member has investigated local scholarships, they should research available awards on the national level. The official NHS website will have detailed information regarding national scholarships and will usually provide instructions on how to apply. Coming into contact with an NHS advisor or other faculty member at the member’s school is another idea, as there may be additional resources available other than those found on the official NHS website.

5. Conclusion

The award process is highly competitive and based on academic merit. Unlike student loans, scholarship money does not have to be repaid. The great thing about NHS scholarships is that the best and brightest students are often awarded the money. This means that even those seeking advanced degrees or specialty training, after years of field experience, will have a chance to offset costs with scholarship money. Take, for example, the federal Health Resources and Services Administration which presently sponsors a Nursing Scholarship Program. Full-time and part-time minority and disadvantaged students who are enrolled in an accredited nursing program receive scholarship support. In exchange for the scholarship, upon graduation, said students are then committed to working at a healthcare facility in need, located in a shortage area, for a minimum of 2 years with the maximum being 4 years of service (one year of service per six months of scholarship funding). If the student meets these requirements, this can be seen as free money towards education with an immediate job opportunity that has already been pre-arranged. The absence of repaying student loans will decrease debt-to-income ratio and allow more financially free living. This will be the biggest gift yet to both students and families. With graduates working in the same field they were educated in, they will be able to gross a comfortable income and realize their goals and dreams in healthcare, all while giving back to the community. Student loan default rates should decrease and reeducation of healthcare professionals will escalate. This can only result in a brighter future for everyone involved.

NHS scholarships may be the key to your future. The healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing professions in the country. It is estimated that more than 3 million healthcare professionals will be needed in the next few years. With the aging “baby boomer” population as well as the millions of Americans who have signed up for insurance under the new healthcare reform, the need for qualified professionals is on the rise. For those who know they want to seek a career in healthcare, now is an excellent time to further their education with a degree and/or specialty in medicine. With over 100 different types of scholarships available, it is possible to find one that is designed just for you. By applying for scholarships in a wide array of healthcare-related categories, including everything from nursing to psychiatry, physical therapy to gerontology, students are bound to find free financial aid dollars that relate specifically to their field. This tailored scholarship money allows students to enhance their education in a field that is already desperately seeking more professional workers.