Free Advice

As some might have heard, there’s a different kind of pandemic that is a major concern in the medical field and that is staffing shortages. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects needs for 30% more in almost all health care professions by 2018. Aggravating the situation is the industry’s lack of racial diversity. At present the Bureau reports on 5% of all doctors are Hispanic and 3.5% are black. This is way out of proportion when compared to the overall U.S. population.

This doesn’t mean the industry itself hasn’t taken notice. Federal and state agencies offer their share of programs ranging beyond standard Pell, SEOG and tax credit programs. That doesn’t mean they are all that’s out there either. Many public corporations and private societies are putting up millions of dollars to turn more disadvantaged high school students into professional doctors and fully educated physical therapists. Here’s just a sample provided by the American Physical Therapist Association:

National Institute of Health – They are considered the largest biomedical organization in the world. They offer 15 scholarships annually based on grades and need. The upper limit on these grants is $20,000 a year (with students able to reapply with each year). They also have two very important side programs: The first is a 10-week internship program and the other provides an immediate job after graduation.

Coca Cola Scholars Fund – The soda and snack producer leads a group of corporations, including Delta Airlines and Cargill, to assist aspiring students interested in the medicine and health care. Their programs include fifty plans that give $20,000 a year and another that provided 200 grants at $10,000 each. Students who keep a 3.0 grade average up through their junior year can then reapply for more each year. They also have a number of other programs. In total, they offer 1,400 packages totaling over $3.4 million.

American Physical Therapist Association – This professional society has a wide slate of financial aid as a total student outreach series. They even include programs for those who want to specialize in such fields as pediatrics, neurology and therapists who will specialize in patients in the performing arts.

AmeriCorps – Founded during the Clinton Administration, one of the key public service areas this agency works in is health care as part of its public service sector. A student who does a 10-12 month hitch with them will be presented with an education voucher good at a number of on campus and online colleges. That one year of service also provides an invaluable internship.

Gates Millennium Scholars Program – Founded by Microsoft with the aid of the United Negro College Fund, this is a $1 billion trust fund open to students interested in careers in public health. It awarded 1,000 scholarships in its first year, and is now getting ready for 2011. An applicant must have a 3.3 grade point average and also fill out a FASFA application.

As with any student out for financial assistance, doing a little homework can yield more institutions besides these four and the majority discovered will also work with online degrees programs. It’s also a good idea to sit down with a college career counselor or financial aid advisor. They can help steer the student through the process of filling out the paper work and filing deadlines each organization demands and get them started with the courses at online medical colleges they need.