Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students | HRSA 25 076

Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) Program (HRSA) - FAQs

What is the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) program?

The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) program is a federal grant opportunity from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) intended to strengthen diversity across the health professions and nursing workforce. It provides funding to eligible schools so they can award scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who demonstrate financial need.

Who does HRSA award SDS funding to?

HRSA awards SDS funding to eligible institutions (schools and training programs), not to individual students. The funded schools then use the grant funds to provide scholarships to eligible students in accordance with SDS program requirements.

Can students apply directly for SDS scholarships through HRSA?

No. Individuals are explicitly not eligible to apply under this funding notice. Students cannot apply directly to HRSA for SDS funds and would instead seek scholarships through a school that receives an SDS award.

What is the main goal of SDS?

The central purpose is to expand opportunity and reduce financial barriers for disadvantaged students entering health careers, which supports broader representation, diversity, and equity in the nation’s health workforce over time.

Does SDS have a particular emphasis on certain student groups?

Yes. A central emphasis is expanding opportunity for students who have historically faced barriers to entering health careers, including students who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups.

What kinds of institutions are eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are accredited education programs in a wide range of health disciplines, assuming they meet accreditation and program eligibility requirements described for SDS.

Which health disciplines are included as eligible education programs?

The eligible disciplines listed include schools of medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, nursing (as defined in section 801), pharmacy, physical therapy, podiatric medicine, optometry, veterinary medicine, public health, chiropractic, and allied health.

Are behavioral and mental health graduate programs included?

Yes. The opportunity extends to schools offering graduate programs in behavioral and mental health practice.

Are physician assistant training programs eligible?

Yes. The opportunity also includes entities that provide training programs for physician assistants.

Do all programs within an eligible discipline automatically qualify?

Not necessarily. Eligibility can depend on specific program types within a discipline, and applicants are expected to consult the subdiscipline eligibility list to confirm that their particular program or department qualifies.

What types of organizations are eligible (by organizational status)?

The program is open to certain types of domestic organizations that meet accreditation and program eligibility requirements. Eligible organization types include public health professions schools, non-profit private health professions schools, non-profit health professions schools with 501(c)(3) IRS status, and non-profit health professions schools with other IRS statuses besides 501(c)(3).

Are any for-profit schools eligible?

Yes. The notice allows applications from for-profit nursing schools and for-profit physician assistant schools, provided they meet the underlying accreditation and program eligibility requirements.

Are tribal entities eligible to apply?

Yes. Native American tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations are included among eligible applicant types, assuming they meet the underlying accreditation and program eligibility requirements.

What does "domestic" mean for this SDS opportunity?

For SDS purposes, "domestic" includes the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, plus specific U.S. territories and freely associated states listed in the notice.

Which territories and freely associated states are included in the definition of "domestic" for SDS?

The listed locations include the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this SDS competition?

The Funding Opportunity Number is HRSA 25-076.

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.925.

What type of grant is this?

This is described as a discretionary grant program.

How many awards does HRSA expect to make?

HRSA anticipates making about 85 awards under this competition.

Is there a maximum (ceiling) award amount listed?

The summary information shows an award ceiling of 0, which typically indicates the maximum award amount is not specified in the summary data. Applicants are expected to rely on the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for funding ranges, budgeting limits, and any formulas used to determine award size.

When is the application deadline?

The application closing date is February 19, 2025.

When was the opportunity record created?

The opportunity record indicates it was created on November 21, 2024.

What is the basic flow of funds in SDS?

HRSA awards funds to eligible schools and training programs, and those participating institutions are responsible for making scholarship awards to eligible students who demonstrate financial need, following SDS program rules.

Where should applicants look for the official details on funding limits and budgeting?

Applicants should consult the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for details such as funding ranges, budgeting limits, and any formulas used to determine award amounts.

What funding activity area is this opportunity categorized under?

The opportunity is categorized within the health funding activity area.