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Public Health Scholarship Program

The purpose of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Public Health Scholarship Program (PHSP) is to strengthen the public health workforce by incentivizing individuals to pursue training and careers in public health. Through the PHSP, scholarship recipients will gain the requisite knowledge and skills necessary to prevent, prepare for, and respond to recovery activities related to COVID–19, as well as other public health emergencies.  

HRSA PHSP scholarships will be awarded to EKU students who provide evidence of financial need to cover tuition costs for one of the approved programs listed below. Award amounts may cover partial or full tuition costs for 1, 2 or 3 years, dependent upon training program, student financial need, and number of applicants. Financial need considers all financial aid, scholarships, and Veterans Affairs funding (not including student loans). Students must be enrolled or plan to enroll part-time or full-time in one of the following programs:

  • Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health Science & Sustainability
  • Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration*
  • Bachelor of Science in Public Health
  • Accelerated 3 + 2 Dual Degree Program
  • Master of Public Health: Health Promotion Concentration (100% online)
  • Master of Public Health: Environmental/Occupational Health & Sustainability Concentration
  • Seeking a Public Health or Health Services Administration Certificate

*Important Note: Pre-HSA students are not elgible for this scholarship.

To be considered for a PHSP scholarship, individuals must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Be a citizen, national, or permanent resident of the United States.
  • Not be on financial aid suspension for not making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward your degree.
  • Have a cumulative college GPA of 2.0 or higher (undergraduate) or 3.0 or higher (graduate)

If you meet the eligibility criteria above, please complete the online application below that includes a personal statement. The personal statement will be typed into the online application. Before beginning the application, it is recommended to have your personal statement drafted using the guidance below: 

  • Provide a brief personal statement that addresses: (a) 2 long-term public health career goals, (b) how these goals will develop and strengthen the public health workforce, and (c) 2 challenges to success (excluding personal responsibilities and finances) in completing your educational program. Each part should be clearly labeled within your statement. Total personal statement should be no more than 200 words maximum.

Academic Year 23-24 Application

The Academic Year 23-24 online application for current students and local health departments is closed. Local health department applicants were notified of their award status on June 1. Current students were notified of their award status on May 1. Please revisit this webpage periodically in Spring 2024 for updates on the Academic Year 24-25 application. For other scholarship opportunities at EKU, please visit https://www.eku.edu/scholarships/.

Note: Limited scholarships for the Master of Public Health (MPH) Program are available throughout the year. Please contact the Project Director (see below) for more information. 

For questions, please contact Project Director, Dr. Michelyn Bhandari.

public health scholarship program infographic

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