GENERAL MEMORANDUM 11-023

Indian Health Service FY 2011 Scholarships

The Indian Health Service is soliciting applications, via the attached February 15, 2011, FEDERAL REGISTER notice, for FY 2011 full and part-time scholarships. Native Americans and Alaska Natives are invited to apply under the three programs described below. The total funding is $14 million for continuation and new awards combined.

  • Health Professions Preparatory Scholarships and Health Professions Pregraduate Scholarships. Approximately 50 awards will be made, which is 20 less than in FY 2010. Eligible applicants are members of federally or state recognized tribes and first and second degree descendants of federal or state recognized tribal members and Alaska Natives. Applicants for the Preparatory program must have been accepted for enrollment in a compensatory, pre-professional general education course or curriculum. Applicants for the Pregraduate program must have been accepted for enrollment in a compensatory, pre-professional general education course or curriculum or in an accredited pregraduation program leading to a baccalaureate degree in pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-podiatry or pre-optometry.
  • Indian Health Professions – Approximately 241 awards will be made. This scholarship is available only to members of federally recognized tribes who are enrolled in an accredited school and pursuing a course of study in a health profession as defined by section 4(10) of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

The attached notice provides information on who to contact at the Indian Health Service with questions regarding the scholarship programs. It also describes the eligibility requirements and lists the health profession priority areas. The deadline for applications for continuation awards is February 28, 2011; the deadline for applications for new awards is March 28, 2011. Application packets may be obtained from the regional scholarship coordinators listed in the notice.