Apply for the Rural Health Careers Scholarship Here!
Rural Health Careers Scholarship Program Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rural Health Careers Scholarship Fund?
The Rural Health Careers Scholarship Fund provides scholarship assistance to individuals currently employed by a rural healthcare organization to help them continue their education and advance their career.
The Rural Health Careers scholarships are funded through the US Department of Labor’s H-1B Rural Healthcare Workforce Development grant program. The goal of this program is to address healthcare workforce shortages in rural communities across the country by creating and providing access to sustainable employment and training programs in healthcare occupations. Dartmouth-Hitchcock was one of several organizations across the country to receive a grant award.
Who is eligible for a scholarship?
Applicants for this scholarship must meet both of the following criteria:
- Be employed by an employer partner of the Rural Health Careers grant program.
- Be pursuing continued education from an education partner of the grant that leads to advancement in one of these US DOL targeted career fields. The programs listed below are currently offered at RVCC. For additional grant funded programs, visit the Rural Health Careers Grant.
If you are planning to start one of these programs, you can apply to this grant and take courses right away!
How much scholarship money is available per student?
For the fall semester of 2023, students will receive up to $10,000. For certificate or licensure programs, students receive up to the total cost of their program, not to exceed $10,000. Scholarship amounts and terms may change over the grant period based on need.
How do students apply for the grant?
Students will apply directly through the education provider/school. Students must be employed by an employer partner of the grant program, and be attending a program in one of the targeted US DOL career fields at an education partner of the grant program.
The application process is straightforward. Students can expect to describe their education plans in one of the targeted career fields and provide proof of current employment with an employer partner of the grant program. Proof of employment may be in the form of a current pay stub or a letter from their employer. If selected for an award, students will then complete the grant enrollment process in order to have funds dispersed.
Which rural health care employers are included in the grant?
RHC Employer Partners (Updated 6.7.23)
• Alice Peck Day
• AV Home Care Services
• Bear Mountain Healthcare (Hanover Terrace)
• Bi State Primary Care Association
• Cedarcrest Center for Children with Disabilities
• Cheshire Medical Center
• Cottage Hospital
• Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center & Clinics
• Genesis Country Village
• Memorial Hospital
• Mid-State Health Center
• Mt. Ascutney Hospital & Health Center
• New Hampshire’s Veterans’ Home
• New London Hospital
• North Country Healthcare
- Androscoggin Valley Hospital
- North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency
- Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital
- Weeks Medical Center
• Senior Helpers
• The Morrison Communities
• Valley Regional Hospital
• Visiting Nurse & Hospice for VT & NH
The list of employer partners is expected to grow over the life of the grant.
How does an employer become a grant partner?
Employers must be partners of the grant program in order for their employees to be eligible to receive support from the grant program, including these scholarship funds. To participate in the grant program as an employer partner, an employer must be a healthcare organization that serves our regional rural communities and has formally committed to supporting the objectives of the H-1B Rural Healthcare Grant Program objectives and initiatives. If needed, a rural health care employer serving New Hampshire may be added to the grant program by contacting us at [email protected]
Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
To learn about the scholarship opportunity at River Valley Community College or if you have any questions, please contact [email protected]