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Those awarded the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Scholarship may receive up to $13,000. If awarded, recipients agree to a two-year service obligation practicing direct patient care at a qualified facility in California. Qualified facilities include those designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources Administration (HRSA) as a medically underserved area (MUA), health professional shortage area (HPSA), county, state, or veteran facility.

Those awarded the Licensed Vocational Nurse to Associate Degree Nursing Scholarship may receive up to $8,000 for one year of school. If awarded, recipients agree to practice full time, direct patient care at a qualified facility in California for a twenty-four (24) month service obligation as a Registered Nurse. Qualified facilities include those designated by The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources Administration (HRSA) or California's Shortage Designation Program, a liaison to the federal Shortage Designation Branch (SDB) of Health Resources and Services Administration as Medically Underserved Area (MUA), Medically Underserved Population (MUP), Health Professional Shortage Area- Primary Care (HPSA-PC) or a Registered Nurse Shortage Area (RNSA). In addition to the Federal and CA state designations, any state, county, veteran, or correctional facility qualifies as well as Indian Health Centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers. See chart of qualified designations associated Registered Nursing.

Those awarded the Vocational Nurse Scholarship may receive up to $4,000 for one year of school. If awarded, recipients agree to practice full time, direct patient care at a qualified facility in California for a twenty-four (24) month service obligation. Qualified facilities include those designated by The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources Administration (HRSA) or California's Shortage Designation Program, a liaison to the federal Shortage Designation Branch (SDB) of Health Resources and Services Administration as Medically Underserved Area (MUA), Medically Underserved Population (MUP), Health Professional Shortage Area- Primary Care (HPSA-PC). In addition to the Federal and CA state designations, any state, county, veteran, or correctional facility qualifies as well as Indian Health Centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers. See chart of qualified designations associated Vocational Nursing.

MHLAP was created by the Mental Health Services Act (Act), passed by California voters in November 2004. The Act provided funding to develop a loan forgiveness program in order to retain qualified professionals working within the Public Mental Health System (PMHS). Through the Workforce Education and Training component of the Act, $10 million is allocated yearly to loan assumption awards. An award recipient may receive up to $10,000 to repay educational loans in exchange for a 12-month service obligation in a hard-to-fill or retain position within the County PMHS.Eligible Professions: Counties determine which professions are eligible for their County's hard-to-fill or retain positions. Some of the eligible professions include, but are not limited to, Registered or Licensed Psychologists, Registered or Licensed Psychiatrists, Postdoctoral Psychological Assistants, Postdoctoral Psychological Trainees, Registered or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Registered or Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Interns, and Registered or Licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners in California. Support, managerial and/or fiscal staff may be eligible.

An awardee may receive up to $15,000 to repay educational loans over a 24-month period in exchange for a 24-month commitment to practicing and providing direct care in a publicly funded or public mental health facility, a non-profit mental health facility, or a mental health professions shortage area.

Those awarded the Allied Healthcare Loan Repayment may receive up to $8,000. If awarded, recipients agree to continue practicing full time, direct patient care at a qualified facility in California for a twelve (12) month service obligation. Qualified facilities include those designated by The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources Administration (HRSA) or California's Shortage Designation Program, a liaison to the federal Shortage Designation Branch (SDB) of Health Resources and Services Administration as Medically Underserved Area (MUA), Medically Underserved Population (MUP), Health Professional Shortage Area- Primary Care (HPSA-PC), Health Professional Shortage Area- Mental Health (HPSA-MH). In addition to the Federal and CA state designations, any state, county, veteran, or correctional facility qualifies as well as Indian Health Centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers. See chart of qualified designations associated to each profession. The Health Professions Education Scholarship program is funded by donations and grants. Some professions may not be eligible for an award based on available funding. We encourage all individuals to apply.

The Steven M. Thompson Physician Corps Loan Repayment Program encourages recently licensed physicians to practice in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) in California. The program authorizes a plan for repaying up to $105,000 in educational loans in exchange for full-time service for a minimum of three (3) years.

UNCF/Merck Graduate Science Research Dissertation Fellowships will help African American graduate students complete coursework, conduct research, and prepare the dissertation required for a doctoral degree in the biomedically relevant life or physical sciences and engineering. Awards up to $53,500. At least 12 dissertation fellowships will be awarded in 2014. Each fellowship provides up to a maximum of $53,500, which includes a Stipend of up to $43,500 for the Fellow and a Research Grant of up to $10,000 to support the research needs of the Fellow. The fellowship stipend is intended to cover from 12-24 months of fellowship tenure. A maximum of $30,000 in stipend may be received in any 12 month period. The Fellow must be engaged in and within 1-3 years of completing the dissertation research having successfully completed all qualifying exams by September 1, 2015. Each UNCF Merck Graduate Fellow will be paired with a mentor/s and will be expected to maintain regular contact with his/her mentor. Each Fellow will present a progress report of research work during the last half of the fellowship tenure. Each Fellow must also submit a two-page research summary of their fellowship research and updated Curriculum Vitea to UNCF at the end of their fellowship tenure. UNCF must be notified upon receipt of the degree.

UNCF/Merck Postdoctoral Science Research Fellowships awards up to $92,000. At least 10 postdoctoral fellowships will be awarded in 2015. Each fellowship provides a maximum of $92,000, which includes a Stipend of up to $77,000 and a Research Grant of up to $15,000 to the hosting department. The stipend is intended to provide 12-24 months of fellowship tenure. A maximum of $55,000 of stipend may be received in any 12 month period. The Research Grant is intended to support the research needs of the Fellow. Each UNCF/Merck Postdoctoral Fellow will be mentored by a scientist. Fellows are expected to maintain frequent contact with their mentor. Each Fellow is also required to visit the Merck Research Laboratories to present a progress report to the Merck research staff during the last half of the fellowship tenure. Each Fellow must also submit a two-page research summary of their fellowship research and updated Curriculum Vitae to UNCF at the end of their fellowship tenure.

UNCF/Merck Undergraduate Science Research Scholarship Award are intended to help African American undergraduate students who are interested in science to further their science education and potentially pursue science and engineering careers. The UNCF/Merck awards provide tuition support and opportunities for research experience in a state-of-the-art research facility. At least 15 scholarship awards will be granted in 2015. Each award provides up to $30,000, which includes up to $25,000 towards tuition, room and board, and billable fees. This award is not transferable. Each UNCF/Merck Undergraduate Fellow will be paired with a mentor/s and will be eligible for an Internship at a Merck Facility or other research institution (applied for separately). The recipient's department may apply for a Department Grant of up to $10,000. The actual amount of this grant is continent upon funds remaining in the scholarship portion of the award after all tuition, room and board, and billable fees are paid.