Pre-Collegiate Preparation

The Regents Health Care Scholarship For Medicine And Dentistry

The purpose of the Regents Health Care Scholarship Program is to increase the number of minority and disadvantaged individuals in the medical and dental professions. Applicants must be beginning or already enrolled in an approved medical or dental school in New York State. Pending the appropriation of state funds during the yearly session of the New York State Legislature, up to 100 scholarships (80 in medicine and 20 in dentistry) can be awarded in the amount of $10,000 per year for medical or dental school expenses. Applications and information are available from the Office of K-16 Initiatives and Access Programs, Scholarships and Grants Administration Unit in January of the competition year.

Unfortunately, there is no funding for new applicants for the 2009-2010 year for the Regents Professional Opportunity Scholarship Program (POS) or the Regents Health Care Scholarships in Medicine and Dentistry (HCS). Therefore, we are not accepting new applications for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants must:

  • be United States citizens, nationals, permanent residents, or selected refugees approved by the Attorney General of the United States;

  • be legal residents of New York State for at least one year immediately preceding the effective date of the award; and

  • be enrolled in, or a candidate for admission to, an approved medical or dental school in New York State. 

Selection Criteria

In selecting scholarship recipients, priority is given to applicants in the following order:

  • PRIORITY I - Applicants who are economically disadvantaged and members of a minority group historically underrepresented in the professions (i.e., Black, Hispanic, American Indian or Alaskan Native).
  • PRIORITY II - Applicants who are members of a minority group historically underrepresented in the professions (see above).
  • PRIORITY III - Applicants who are enrolled in or graduates of the following State-sponsored opportunity programs: Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge (SEEK), or College Discovery.

Service Agreement

Award recipients must agree, upon licensure, to:

  • practice in an area or facility within New York State designated by the New York State Board of Regents as having a shortage of physicians or dentists, and
  • serve 12 months for each annual payment received, with a minimum of 24 months.

PRIVACY NOTICE

Section 94 of the New York Public Officers Law requires this notice to be provided when collecting personal information from individuals.) Information provided for the scholarships listed will be maintained by the Executive Coordinator of the Office of K-16 Initiatives and Access Programs, Scholarships and Grants Administration Unit, New York State Education Department, Albany, New York 12234, telephone number (518) 486-1319.  The information collected on the application for the Scholarships for Academic Excellence is required to determine the winners of the scholarship and will be released to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation and the New York State Legislature.  Failure to provide a complete application may result in the denial of an award.   The information on the scholarship application is collected under the authority of the New York State Education Department Law 605 and Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, subpart 145-1.  Each individual has the right to review personal information maintained by the Office of K-16 Initiatives and Access Programs, unless exempted by law.

for Further Information contact

PreCollegiate Preparation Programs and Scholarships Unit

New York State Education Department
Room 967, Education Building Addition
Albany, NY 12234
(518) 486-5202
E-mail: kiap@mail.nysed.gov

Last Updated: September 1, 2009