The United States Kaiser Permanente Scholarship Program is a prestigious initiative designed to support and empower students pursuing careers in public health.
This program is committed to fostering an inclusive community of future public health leaders dedicated to addressing health equity issues in the United States.
So, if you are aspiring to make a difference in healthcare, this Kaiser Permanente Healthcare Scholarship Program might be your ticket to a fulfilling and impactful career.
Scholarship Mission
The primary mission of the United States Kaiser Permanente Scholarship for Health Care Program is to create a pipeline for different leadership in public health.
It achieves this by providing financial support to underrepresented students committed to advancing health equity.
By investing in these future leaders, the program aims to drive positive change and promote health equity within communities across the nation.
Funding Source
This scholarship program is made possible through the generous support of the Kaiser Permanente National Community Benefit Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation.
After all, Kaiser Permanente is a renowned healthcare organization dedicated to improving the health of its members and the communities it serves.
Scholarship Awards
The program offers two distinct scholarship categories, each tailored to support students at various stages of their academic journey:
- MPH Scholarship: Awardees in this category receive a substantial $15,000 tuition award each year for two years of full-time study. It’s important to note that students attending Morehouse College in fall 2024 will receive a $7,500 tuition award each year over two years.
- DrPH/PhD Scholarship: Awardees pursuing a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in public health receive a remarkable $20,000 tuition award per year for three years.
In the third and final year, the award can be given as a stipend or as a combination of stipend and tuition, providing flexibility to students.
Scholarship Policies
To ensure fairness and transparency, the program has established specific policies that applicants and awardees must adhere to:
- Degree programs must commence in the fall of 2024.
- The scholarship exclusively applies to nine partner universities listed in the scholarship information.
- Scholarship funds are allocated to support core and elective courses for full-time graduate study, with a focus on required coursework during the award period.
- Awardees are expected to maintain the academic requirements of their respective graduate programs for the duration of the scholarship.
- The scholarship award is designated for tuition expenses only. Students are typically responsible for fees unless university policy states otherwise. Doctoral students may receive the award as a stipend in their third year.
- The scholarship is stackable, meaning it can be combined with other awards but not combinable with tuition remission or waivers.
- The award must cover at least 80% of tuition when combined with another award. Any excess funds will be issued to the student by the university.
- Scholarship funds will be disbursed directly to the partner university upon confirmation of the student’s commitment to attend.
Requirements for the scholarship
To be considered for this prestigious scholarship, applicants are required to meet certain eligibility criteria:
- Applicants must be applying for a full-time Master of Public Health (MPH) or a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)/Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in public health at one of the program’s partner universities for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Importantly, applicants do not need to have already been admitted to the program by the scholarship deadline. - Applicants must be U.S. citizens or hold a permanent residence visa (Green Card) in the United States.
- Current high school graduate planning to enroll full-time as a first-year student at a U.S.-located, four-year accredited, not-for-profit college or university in fall 2024.
- Demonstrated financial need as verified by your college or university.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Interested in pursuing either a clinical career path (e.g., pharmacist, physician, practitioner, nurse) or a non-clinical career path (e.g., accounting, business administration, human resources, marketing, public policy) in the healthcare industry.
Required Documents
Prepare the necessary documents and information for your application, which typically includes:
- Academic transcripts from your undergraduate and any prior graduate studies.
- Standardized test scores, if required by your chosen university (e.g., GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, or IELTS).
- Letters of recommendation (usually 2-3) from professors, employers, or individuals who can speak to your qualifications and potential.
- A well-crafted personal statement or essay outlining your career goals, reasons for pursuing public health, and why you deserve the scholarship.
- Any other documents or information specified by the scholarship program or the university you plan to attend.
Partner Universities
The program has established partnerships with nine reputable universities that offer relevant public health programs.
Applicants can choose from a variety of program types, including in-person, online, or hybrid MPH and DrPH/PhD programs.
These Universities include:
- Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
- Georgia State University
- Morehouse School of Medicine
- Morgan State University
- Portland State University (OHSU-PSU)
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Irvine
- University of Colorado Anschutz
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
- University of Washington
Eligible full-time program types
- In-person MPH and DrPH/PhD
- Online or hybrid MPH and DrPH/PhD
- Accelerated MPH (considered for a one-year award)
Dual degrees (Bachelor’s/Master’s) with the applicant starting their MPH in the upcoming year (considered for a one-year award).
- Note that Dual programs such as MSW/MPH, MPH/MPP, and MPH/MPA are not eligible.
Preference will be given to applicants who identify as first-generation college graduates, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and those who belong to underrepresented race/ethnicity groups.
Selection Process
The selection process for the scholarship involves several key steps, including the release of the application, the application deadline, and the notification of applicants regarding their status. Applicants should refer to the program’s official timeline for detailed information.
Contact Information:
For any questions or inquiries about the United States Kaiser Permanente Scholarship Program, applicants and interested individuals can reach out to the program’s dedicated contact via email at scholarships@apha.org.
Conclusion
This scholarship program represents an exceptional opportunity for aspiring public health professionals to receive financial support, pursue advanced education, and make a lasting impact on health equity in the United States.
It is a sign of the commitment of Kaiser Permanente and the program’s partner universities to nurturing the next generation of public health leaders.