The Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship

In 2004, NHHF established the National Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship program and its first Gala in New York City for medical, nursing, dental, public health, and health policy students with outstanding academic records, leadership, and who are committed to serving Hispanics.

The following year, we invited the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Hispanic Dental Association, Latino Caucus of American Public Health Association, the Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, NYU and an honorary committee of New York elected officials, to help us present our first ten scholarships.

This year's deadline is on September 24, 2021, and winners will be notified by October 15, 2021.

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In 2007, NHHF started its partnership with the United Health Foundation in this unique national effort and the following year, a second annual Gala in California. As of January 2021, NHHF has awarded $1,555,000 to 306 awardees.

Click Here for the 2021 New York Gala Page

Click Here for the 2021 California Gala Page

Below is a list of FAQ for the 2021 Scholarship. For other questions regarding the NHHF Scholarship, please contact [email protected].

Scholarship 2021 FAQs 

1. Who is eligible to apply for the 2021 Scholarship?

The 2021 National Hispanic Health Professionals Scholarship is open to any student enrolled full time in the following U.S. based accredited graduate programs:
• Medicine: allopathic or osteopathic
• Dentistry
• Pharmacy
• Nursing (including BSN)
• Public Health/Policy
• Physician Associate

Eligible students must be enrolled full-time for the 2021-2022 academic year.

NOTE: Health professions NOT listed above will NOT be considered. High school and undergraduate students are NOT eligible for this scholarship EXCEPT for BSN students.

2. Are applicants required to be Hispanic?

Applicants are not required to be Hispanic; an affinity for the health of Hispanic communities and an interest in participating in NHHF Scholars Alumni activities is required.

3. What are the qualifications?

• 3.0 GPA or Passing (fail/pass system)
• Exceptional academic performance, documented leadership activities, and have a commitment to a career providing healthcare services to the Hispanic community in the US
• Be a full-time student in the following accredited programs: Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Public Health or Health Policy, and Physician Associate. 

4. What are the required supporting documents?

• Personal statement or essay, including career goals (double-spaced, two-page maximum)
• Current curriculum vitae (education, employment, extracurricular activities, awards)
• Letter of recommendation (one letter only)
• Proof of U.S. citizenship, residency, or DACA status
• Unofficial copy of school transcripts

5. What are the requirements for the Personal Statement?

The personal statement should be exactly that – personal. Tell us what sets you apart from other students. Why are you interested in Hispanic Health issues and what are your plans to address those issues once you begin working in your profession? Make sure you are detailing what you want the reviewer to know about you as a student leader committed to serving the Hispanic community in the United States. Remember to also include your curriculum vitae to list your leadership and health-related accomplishments.

6. I am not a U.S. Citizen, can I still apply?

Only U.S. Citizens, permanent lawful residents, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are eligible to apply.

7. Who is eligible to write my recommendation letter?

A current/past professor or supervisor is required to write your recommendation letter. Your recommendation letter should be included in your completed scholarship application.

NOTE: If your recommender prefers, they can email it to us directly at [email protected] using the following subject line with your information: “[Your Full Name] – LOR”. The document must be labeled: [Your Full Name] – LOR

If the case with your recommender is that they can only mail the letter, they can do so to our DC office at NHHF Scholarship 2021 c/o National Hispanic Medical Association 1920 L Street NW, Suite 725 Washington, D.C. 20036.

8. What is the scholarship deadline?

The application deadline is September 24, 2021, at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Any applications received after the deadline will NOT be considered. Incomplete applications will NOT be considered.

9. Where should I send my completed scholarship application?

NHHF has gone paperless. The link for the application can be found here. Documents can be directly uploaded to this form.

10. Can I apply more than once?

Past applicants may apply ONLY if they did not receive an award.

11. I missed the scholarship deadline. Is there anything I can do?

Unfortunately, we do not accept applications past the deadline. If you missed the deadline, we invite you to apply for the 2021 scholarship. Applications are posted between May – June.

12. How many students receive scholarships per year?

We award between 15 to 20 scholarships every year.

13. I am interested in applying to your scholarship, but I am in another health profession that is not listed. Am I still eligible?

Unfortunately, only health professions explicitly stated in this application will be eligible for the scholarship. We are working hard to expand funding to additional health professional programs and encourage you to check back with us next year.

14. Do I need an official transcript?

We do not require an official transcript. Transcripts should have the student’s full name and date of birth listed.

15. I am currently enrolled to begin a graduate program and have no GPA or transcript yet. What should I do?

Please submit your official enrollment in your graduate degree program. Make sure you have at least 9 graduate credit hours “in progress.” Also, include your official transcripts from your undergraduate school if Fall 2021 is the first semester of your graduate program.

16. I’m in high school/undergraduate college, am I eligible for the NHHF Scholarship?

Those seeking undergraduate degrees in pre-med, biology, chemistry, public health, health policy are NOT eligible EXCEPT for students in the BSN program. Please check back with us in a few years when you are entering your graduate program. If you are an undergrad and are interested in working with NHMA, please be sure to check out our College Health Scholars Program.

17. My grade point average is under the required criteria of 3.0. Would I still be eligible to apply for your awards?

No, you must meet the minimum grade point requirements to be eligible. (Example, a 2.98 GPA will not be rounded to a 3.0)

18. Do I need to be a National Hispanic Medical Association member to apply?

Yes, you need to be a member of the National Hispanic Medical Association to be considered for the scholarship. If you would like to be a member, please visit here.

NOTE: If you are a student applying for the pharmacy scholarship, you need to be a member ONLY of the National Hispanic Pharmacists Association to be considered for the scholarship. If you would like to be a member, please visit here.

19. If I have already received an award from the National Hispanic Health Foundation, am I still eligible to apply?

No, past awardees are not eligible to reapply.

Additionally, the scholarship is limited to one award per family. 

NOTE: if it is your first year and you do not have a current transcript of upcoming classes, you need to provide an enrollment verification from your university to show you are accepted into health professional graduate schools in addition to last year’s transcript.

20. Is there a specific format supporting documents should be in?

Yes, all documents should be in PDF format. You will NOT be able to upload any documents that are not in a PDF format.

Documents should also be named using the following format:
• FULL NAME – DOCUMENT NAME (i.e., personal statement, CV, LOR, Transcript, etc.)