public health scholarships

public health scholarships

Public Health Scholarships

1. Introduction to Public Health Scholarships

That being said, it is important that students are aware of what is available and how to attain these scholarships. Today we will discuss the types of scholarships available in the field of public health, where to find them, how to apply, and some tips and strategies from current and former students in obtaining this free money.

Scholarships are a great way to offset the cost of education in public health. Whether you are in high school, undergraduate, or already a student in the field of public health, these are funds that can help minimize the financial burden of attending college. Additionally, students who have scholarships on their resumes have a greater chance of successfully securing admission to graduate school. This proves to be significant as many public health students are required to obtain a graduate degree at some point during their professional development.

Public health students have the opportunity to earn several scholarships, grants, and awards. These are available from a variety of sources including the federal government, private organizations, and universities. This money does not have to be repaid and as such can be considered free money. Scholarships are often merit-based, while grants and awards can be based on merit, financial need, or a combination of both.

Public health is a subject that is responsible for the physical as well as mental health of the whole society. Public health professions are often unprofitable and thankless jobs. People employed in public health sectors are responsible for the well-being of the whole society. They work for spreading awareness, prevention of diseases and injuries, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and concern for the health of the vulnerable communities. Since these jobs are often less profitable, people aren’t much inclined towards engaging in these sectors. This is where the importance of public health scholarships comes into play.

2. Benefits of Public Health Scholarships

Because these valuable experiences are often obtained during the summer months, one significant yet often overlooked benefit of a scholarship is its ability to offset the cost of tuition, allowing students to take on fewer work hours and focus more time on studying and obtaining real-world experience in the public health field.

More often than not, public health professionals attribute their desire to create meaningful changes in the community to personal life experiences and turning points. A substantial amount of these experiences are observed by students while serving as a volunteer, intern, or employee for a government agency or non-profit organization. These positions usually pay little or nothing at all but are extremely valuable to the student in determining their future area of expertise in the public health field.

Educational loans (Stafford, Perkins, Graduate PLUS) must eventually be repaid and can not only create a financial burden, which can deter students from completing a degree in public health, but can also influence a graduate’s decision in taking a higher-paying job as opposed to one they are truly passionate about.

Scholarships are intended to reward the recipient for their academic success and promote continued commitment to public health. This is apparent in a stipulation that is often attached to a scholarship award, which states that the recipient must maintain a certain GPA and/or be enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited public health program.

Public health scholarships have numerous benefits. A scholarship provides recognition of past work, which can lead to further professional opportunities. Scholarships are often awarded based on past academic achievement or other personal success. In turn, winning a scholarship not only provides a cash reward but also looks good on a resume or CV. This recognition can open the door to other scholarship opportunities, paid internships, and better chances for employment upon graduation.

3. How to Find and Apply for Public Health Scholarships

Arrange a meeting with a counselor to discuss your scholarship options. He or she will have information about available scholarships and important application deadlines. Your institution’s financial aid office is often the best source for scholarship information. Also, research scholarships through the internet, public libraries, and bookstores. Some of the top scholarship databases include: . Books such as The Ultimate Scholarship Book by Tanabe and Tanabe or Peterson’s Scholarships, Grants, and Prizes can give you a good starting point for scholarship hunting and offer advice about the application process.

Before you commit to taking out student loans for your public health degree, remember that money is available from a variety of sources. Scholarships for public health are popular and are supported by universities, private endowments, and government funds. To maximize your success in obtaining a scholarship, prepare for the process much like applying for colleges. Also, try to apply for numerous scholarships to increase your chances of being awarded. Here are some tips about finding and applying for health-related scholarships.

4. Tips for Writing a Strong Scholarship Application

Do not consider the writing of your essay a monotonous, academic assignment. First and foremost, it is a statement of your convictions. While it is important to be yourself (and not simply spew out clichés, or worse, try to write in the style of someone who is not you), it is also important to be civil. Remember, the person reading your essay will probably read many others, so be honest and sincere so that your essay stands out among the others. Also, avoid pompous language. If your reader is noticing your attempts at impressing him, he will most likely be unimpressed and it will affect the rest of your essay. Also, it is wise to keep humor to a minimum; again, it is important to remember that your audience is an academic institution. A long series of irrelevant jokes or witty comments would prove more of a detraction than an addition to your essay. Lastly, it is not at all inappropriate to have a friend, family member, or teacher read this essay to offer any more points of view. This, if anything, will give your essay a more polished and professional appearance.

One of the most helpful tools in scholarship application is conviction. Your conviction and ability to communicate those convictions are the prime factors in writing a successful scholarship essay. Make sure your essay is neatly typed, and that there is a lot of white space on the page. Double-space the essay, and provide adequate margins (1 to 1 1/2) on all sides. Often, jobs will ask for more than one essay, and each should be on a separate page. This assures that your application is complete. Failure to follow these simple instructions will almost assure that your essays will be deemed unreadable.

5. Conclusion and Next Steps

There are several next steps that can be taken by the public health community so that policy precedes favorable practice for the most valuable workforce in the pursuit of equity and the best roles to advance health. Primarily, the field needs to quantify the workforce needs and demands now and in the future, by identifying the most valuable professions to advance health in various communities and the most efficient strategies to cultivate a workforce that represents the demographic. Once this is accomplished, a representative public health workforce will be better able to identify and prioritize the health issues and strategies that are most feasible and have the greatest impact to advance equity in health outcomes. Additionally, the community needs to articulate and advocate the value of public health professions to key decision-makers in government and other sectors, by demonstrating the cost-effectiveness and economic value of preventive health strategies and improving health outcomes. This will necessitate a broader array of advocates who are supported by philanthropy and public and private sector organizations, to have an impact on policy both directly and in sectors that affect health. A diverse public health workforce will readily understand the language and needs of diverse communities and be better equipped to advocate and implement evidence-based strategies to eliminate health disparities. Finally, there needs to be continuous policy implementation and evaluation to enhance the effects of current legislation or incentives and necessitate future legislation to facilitate a diverse and representative public health workforce. “It is not only knowing what to do, but applying it and doing it successfully.” Future success at every phase must be actively monitored and will require consensus and collaboration among public health workforce leaders and scholars to achieve these desired outcomes.

As the health field experiences growth, it is important for every state, including those who have not passed legislation, to create public health scholarship opportunities. The profession of public health should represent the socioeconomic status and cultural diversity of the demographic and include opportunities for those entering or working in the profession who are from underrepresented groups. Public health scholars, educators, and advocates need to address the national or global workforce “crisis” underscored by the fact that the U.S. public health workforce is aging and retiring at a rapid rate, while too few academically and culturally diverse students are choosing public health as a career.