#14 My wife got her doctorate for free, and here's how we did it

DNP Textbooks, Fall 2016

In one of my blogs, my wife gave a glimpse of the work of a primary care nurse practitioner (NP). The degree requirement to become one is either a master's or doctorate in nurse practitioner. However, an increasing number of universities in the U.S. have been phasing out their master's program and transitioning to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
 
My wife decided to get her doctorate, but our one million questions was, where would we get the money to finance her education? Of course, borrowing through financial aid was the quickest solution. However, I've discovered through online research that a competitive scholarship program is available to pay all educational expenses and give a monthly stipend throughout the grant. However, there is a caveat. Find out the benefits, requirements, application process, and commitment of this wonderful opportunity.
 

The Award

The National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program (NHSC-SP) is provided by the federal government. The main goal of this grant is to increase access to health services in geographic areas, populations, or facilities in the U.S. that experience a critical shortage of primary, dental or mental health providers.
 

Benefits

The program will provide full financial support to full-time enrollment in a primary care health professions degree training program for up to four years. In addition, they will pay for your tuition and eligible fees, annual payment of other reasonable costs (e.g., books, health insurance, laptop, etc.), and monthly allowance.
 

Requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national. You are accepted or currently enrolled as a full-time student in a degree program at a U.S.-accredited school in primary care disciplines such as adult, family, pediatric, geriatrics, women's health, or certified nurse-midwife. The eligible primary care health professions include nurse practitioners, physicians, dentistry, and physician assistants.
 

Application

You apply online and submit the required documents and supplemental documentation (e.g., resume, three essay questions, proof of U.S. citizenship, two letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc.). Application opens annually beginning in March and closes in May. Recipients are notified no later than September 30.

Service commitment

Within six months after graduation (or six months after residency for physicians, dentists, or NPs who chose to apply for a residency), the scholar must serve in geographic areas or populations described above. In addition, within that six months, the scholar must secure the necessary certification and licensure in the state they will work. Awardees must also prepare to be relocated to other regions in the U.S. if they are not employed within their home states. The length of service depends on the number of years you receive the grant.

Warning: If for any reason you breached the scholarship contract (e.g., you failed a class or did not graduate in time, you did not complete your service commitment), you will pay back all the financial support they provided you approximately three times the original amount!

The scholarship is very competitive. Less than 10% of applicants nationwide are awarded the grant. You must demonstrate to the screening and selection committees that you are committed and passionate about primary care in underserved and vulnerable populations. There is no interview. You must highlight your passion and commitment to serve in your resume and responses to the three essay questions.

Timeline of our experience

• March 2016 - NHSC scholarship application opened
• April 2016 - submitted NHSC application and documentation
• July 2016 - selected as a finalist
• August 2016 - awarded a three-year grant
• August 2016 - commenced the DNP program at the University of Maryland Baltimore
• January 2018 - on medical leave
• January 2019 - resumed DNP program
• May 2020 - graduated from the program
• July 2020 - passed the NP board certification
• November 2020 - received an offer of employment
• March 2021 - commenced service commitment

For more information about this opportunity, visit the National Health Service Corps website.

Trained to serve the underserved