Financial Aid Resources

Below are some of the financial resources available to underrepresented minority and low-income dental students:
Federal Loans
Scholarships From Public Funds
Abbreviated List of Private Scholarships  
Loan Repayment Programs

Types of Financial Aid

Federal Loans

1. Federal Perkins Loan
   Provides long-term low-interest loans to students with exceptional financial need.
2. Health Professions Student Loan (HPSA)
   Federally funded offer loans from revolving loan funds administered by participating schools.
3. Loan for Disadvantaged Students (LDS)
   Available to students who demonstrate financial need and meet the “disadvantaged student” criteria.
4. Stafford Loan
   The primary federal student loan program used by the majority of U.S. dental school students. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education.

Scholarships From Public Funds

1. Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarships
   The U.S. Armed Services offers scholarships that cover tuition, fees, and a stipend for dental students. The active duty obligation is one year of service for each year of scholarship.
2. Federal Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students Program
   Provides federal scholarship funds to eligible schools for full-time, financially needy students from disadvantaged backgrounds enrolled in health profession programs.
3. National Health Service Corp Scholarships
   Available to sophomore and junior students who committed upon graduation to provide oral health care to underserved populations for two years in federally qualified Health Professions Shortage Areas (FQHSA)

Abbreviated List of Private Scholarships

1. ADEA/W.K. Kellogg Access to Dental Careers Program
   Each of the funded pipeline schools will use a total of $100,000 in scholarship dollars: $25,000 over four year to provide financial aid and scholarships to underrepresented minority and disadvantaged students who plan to practice in underserved areas or serve on a dental school faculty.
2. California Dental Association (CDA) Scholarships
3. Connecticut State Dental Association Scholarships
4. Proctor & Gamble/ Hispanic Dental Association Scholarship

Loan Repayment Programs

1. National Institutes of Health loan repayment programs
   Three loan repayment programs established to attract health care professionals to conduct research in its facilities and to address shortages in dental faculty and researchers.
2. The National Health Service Corp
   Established in 1970 to provide financial assistance to health professionals who agree to practice in a Health Professional Shortage Area. This program offers scholarships, loan repayment programs, and rotations in community health centers.
3. Indian Health Service
   Operates a loan repayment program to identify health professionals who will practice full-time at IHS facilities or approved, tribally managed sites in exchange for repayment of eligible health professions loans.