The College of Health and Human Services at Northern Arizona University has received $1 million in funding as the third part of a $4.8 million Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students grant.
The funding, awarded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, provides scholarships to nursing and dental hygiene students from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds.
“The scholarships help eliminate financial barriers for so many of our students, but equally important are the opportunities this education funding brings to the underserved populations in our region,” said Denise Helm, professor and project director. “Many of our students come to NAU from outlying areas that are medically underserved. They not only train in these communities, but our graduates often return there to live and work.”
This is the 13th consecutive year the project has received federal funds to support health professions education. Over that period of time, more than 700 health professions students who likely could not have afforded higher education have benefitted.