It's possible to offset some of the costs of earning a public health degree by tapping into a variety of available public health scholarships. Application processes and award amounts vary from program to program, but students may apply for multiple scholarship simultaneously. Below is a sample listing of public health scholarships currently available.
At a Glance
Public health scholarships are available at the undergraduate and graduate level through federal agencies, professional associations, and state public health organizations. Award amounts vary widely by program and year, so students should verify current amounts and deadlines directly with each sponsor. Most programs have their own eligibility criteria, and students may benefit from applying to multiple awards.
Graduate school in public health isn’t cheap. MPH tuition varies widely by school, residency status, format, and fees, so students should verify total program costs directly with each institution. The good news: scholarship funding for public health students is more available than most people realize. Federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) support some student awards directly. Others, such as HRSA’s Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students, provide funding to eligible schools, which then select student recipients. Professional associations, state public health organizations, and specialty groups focused on areas like nutrition, environmental health, and health informatics also fund awards of their own.
The list below covers scholarships across three levels: undergraduate programs, graduate studies (including fellowships and grants), and specialized awards tied to specific public health disciplines. If you’re still weighing what you can do with a public health degree, that’s worth reading before you dig into funding options. Application requirements, deadlines, and award amounts change from year to year, so check each program’s official page for current details. Students may benefit from applying to multiple awards, but should review each program’s rules on stacking, service obligations, and financial aid coordination.
Table of Contents
How to Apply for Public Health Scholarships
Before working through the list below, a few things are worth knowing about how public health scholarship funding actually works.
Start with your program. Many accredited public health degree programs offer department-level scholarships, fellowships, or assistantships that never appear on national scholarship databases. Your financial aid office and department administrator are the first calls to make. Students in programs accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) may have access to school-based scholarships and assistantships, but funding availability varies by institution.
Federal and agency-based awards can be substantial. The NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program currently offers up to $20,000 per year for eligible students and includes NIH research-training service obligations. Review current eligibility and service terms on the NIH website before applying. HRSA’s Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program provides funding to eligible health professions schools, which then award scholarships to eligible students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Some federal scholarships include post-graduation service commitments, and requirements vary by program, so read each award’s terms carefully before accepting.
Specialty areas have their own funding pools. Students pursuing nutrition, environmental health, health informatics, or healthcare administration often have access to discipline-specific scholarships from organizations such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), and the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). These are listed in the Specialized Scholarships section below.
Apply to more than one. There’s no penalty for applying broadly. Many of these awards have no restrictions against stacking with other scholarship funding. The practical limit is your time to complete applications well.
Undergraduate Scholarships
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation offers multiple scholarships for eligible nutrition and dietetics students pursuing public health or nutrition science programs. Award amounts, eligibility, and application procedures should be verified through the Foundation’s current scholarship portal.
American Public Health Association
APHA offers student funding and professional-development opportunities focused on public health preparedness. Confirm the current availability of any Get Ready campaign scholarship directly through APHA before applying.
A scholarship is available to undergraduate students pursuing a degree in public health, biochemistry, nursing, medicine, occupational health, environmental health, safety, or related disciplines. Students must be enrolled full-time to be eligible. Current award amount and application status should be verified directly with CSHEMA.
Undergraduate students enrolled in health-related or public health programs may apply. The student does not need to be an FPHA member, but must be nominated by an active FPHA member. Current award amounts, nomination rules, and eligibility should be verified directly with FPHA.
HRSA’s Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program provides funding to eligible health professions schools, which then award scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds with financial need enrolled in health professions and nursing programs. Contact your school’s financial aid office to confirm participation and current eligibility.
The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers awards the $2,000 Hunt Scholarship to an undergraduate student who demonstrates a genuine interest in community and public health through academic study or volunteer service.
The Indian Health Service Scholarship Program supports eligible American Indian and Alaska Native students pursuing approved health professions programs. The program includes a service commitment. Recipients should review current eligibility requirements, approved disciplines, placement rules, and repayment consequences before applying.
A $1,000 scholarship is available to bilingual students pursuing a degree in healthcare. Two $1,000 awards are available per year.
The National Institutes of Health currently offers up to $20,000 per year for eligible students demonstrating financial need in behavioral, biomedical, and social science health-related programs. The program includes NIH research-training service obligations. Review current eligibility and service terms on the NIH website before applying.
The National Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship Program supports Hispanic students committed to health care careers who are enrolled full-time in medical, nursing, dental, public health, or health policy programs.
Available to students enrolled in an EHAC or NEHA member school pursuing an undergraduate degree in public health or environmental health. Award amounts and eligibility have changed over time. Verify current details directly with NEHA before applying.
ORISE administers a variety of research, internship, and fellowship opportunities for students currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree, including positions relevant to public health sciences. Students should search current ORISE listings directly for openings that match their field and degree level rather than treating this as a single scholarship program.
SOPHE awards the Vivian Drenckhahn Student Scholarship annually to two full-time students who are national SOPHE members, have excelled academically, demonstrated commitment to health education careers, and show financial need.
Available to children of Schott North America, Inc. employees enrolled in an accredited college or university with a major in health care, science, engineering, finance, law, or business. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for current college students.
The Texas Public Health Association awards scholarships to students pursuing a degree in public health. The number of scholarships and award amounts is announced after the Association’s Spring Quarterly Meeting each year.
Tylenol awards scholarships each year to students pursuing healthcare careers based on academic excellence, community involvement, leadership, and demonstrated commitment. Current award amounts, number of scholarships, and eligibility requirements should be verified before applying.
The Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation awards scholarships annually to students seeking careers in health care, science, education, and related fields. Award amounts, number of scholarships, eligible categories, and the nomination process vary by year and should be verified directly with the Udall Foundation.
Graduate Scholarships, Grants, and Fellowships
This fellowship pairs graduate students with community-based health organizations for a year-long service project designed to identify and address an unmet health need in the community.
ASPPH offers selected fellowship and training opportunities with public health agency partners. Current host agencies, stipend amounts, eligibility requirements, and application cycles should be verified directly through ASPPH.
Available to ethnic minority graduate students pursuing a master’s or doctorate in public health, nutrition, or physical education at an accredited California college or university.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a variety of hands-on training programs for undergraduate and graduate students still enrolled in school, as well as health professionals in training across public health disciplines.
Part of AmeriCorps, Community HealthCorps provides a 10- to 12-month service experience in community health settings. Members may receive a living allowance and an education award upon completion. Amounts are tied to current AmeriCorps program rules and service term length and should be verified before applying.
HOSA-Future Health Professionals offers a variety of scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in public health. HOSA membership is required for consideration.
IHME has offered postgraduate fellowship training for careers in academia, national health agencies, and international organizations. Current availability, salary, duration, eligibility, and application deadlines should be verified directly through IHME before publication.
JCC Association Graduate Scholarship
Available to Jewish students pursuing a master’s degree in health, physical education, business administration, Jewish studies, or social work.
The National Academies’ Fellowship Office administers predoctoral, dissertation, postdoctoral, and other fellowship programs for advanced study across research-based disciplines, including public health.
The NAHN offers scholarships of $1,000 to $5,000 to students of Hispanic descent pursuing a nursing degree, based on financial need, academic standing, and residency.
Available to students enrolled in an EHAC or NEHA member school pursuing a graduate degree in public health or environmental health. Current award amounts and eligibility should be verified directly with NEHA.
New Aid Foundation
The NEWAID Foundation provides grants to graduate students and early-career public health scientists to conduct research abroad on neglected infectious diseases.
The North Carolina Public Health Association offers two $850 scholarships to individuals pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree with an application toward public health practice.
Nurses Educational Funds, Inc. Scholarships
NEF offers a variety of graduate scholarships for nursing and public health majors. Award amounts vary, and many are based on academic achievement.
AIDS United offers the Pedro Zamora Public Policy Fellowship to undergraduate and graduate students seeking experience in public policy and government affairs focused on HIV/AIDS issues. The fellowship includes a stipend and is highly competitive. Applications are accepted for fall, spring, and summer terms.
This $1,500 scholarship is available to doctoral students demonstrating potential in advancing children’s health, evaluated based on academic achievement, professional goals, and document quality.
Available to undergraduate students in their junior year, these scholarships of up to $30,000 fund graduate study in public service fields, including public health.
USAID has historically supported global health fellows in technical areas, including maternal and child health, nutrition, and SDHIV/AIDS, through cooperative programs with public health organizations. The GHFP-II program is historical. Students should verify whether a current successor fellowship program is active through USAID or the Public Health Institute (PHI) before applying.
Specialized Scholarships
The Academy offers a variety of scholarships and educational stipends to individuals pursuing undergraduate and advanced degrees in dietetics-related areas or food and nutrition.
The ACMPE Scholarship Fund includes ten scholarships with their own eligibility criteria. Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program relevant to medical practice management, including public health, business administration, and healthcare administration.
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Foundation awards scholarships to students pursuing degrees in health information management or health informatics. Current award amounts, eligibility, and application deadlines should be verified through the AHIMA Foundation scholarship page.
This non-renewable scholarship is available to minority students in the final year of a graduate healthcare management program. ACHE administers this award. Current number of scholarships, award amounts, and eligibility should be verified directly before applying.
This $500 scholarship is available to students enrolled in a nutrition degree program who are members or friends of the American Nutrition Association.
Available to undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in a medical practice management program.
Available to students maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA enrolled in a medical practice administration program, with preference given to those with financial need or disadvantaged backgrounds.
This $1,000 scholarship from the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance supports master’s level students enrolled in an accredited health education program in the United States or a U.S. territory.
Students enrolled in a college of veterinary medicine in the United States are eligible for these $2,000 scholarships.
The CDC offers a 10- to 12-month fellowship for medical students who have completed their second or third year of medical school. The program provides training in applied epidemiology and is held at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Fellows receive a living expense stipend.
The Christie Foundation awards health education scholarships across multiple categories each year. Current scholarship categories, award totals, and eligibility should be verified directly with the Foundation.
Available to students in the final year of a graduate healthcare management program. ACHE administers this scholarship. Current award amounts, number of scholarships, and eligibility should be verified directly before applying.
Sponsored by the American College of Medical Practice Executives, this scholarship is available to students enrolled in a CAHME graduate program or an AUPHA member undergraduate program.
HEN awards a one-year paid membership to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and to the HEN Dietetic Practice Group to an RD or DTR working internationally in food security or sustainable food systems. One scholarship is awarded annually.
Since 1992, the Institute and its partners have provided over $120,000 in scholarships to minority graduate students enrolled in accredited healthcare management and service programs in the United States.
A CDC-funded, nine-week summer program providing educational and professional development for students from underrepresented populations interested in addressing health disparities related to infectious diseases.
This $19,250 scholarship is available to Canadian citizens pursuing a doctorate in health administration or business administration with a concentration in social science, economics, health administration, disaster and emergency studies, systems science, urban and regional planning, or risk analysis. The scholarship may be renewed twice.
The Paul Ambrose Scholars Program has prepared public health and clinical health professions students to address population health challenges since 2002, providing mini-grant funding to implement a Healthy People project within students’ communities or academic institutions. Verify current mini-grant availability, application cycle, and participating institutions through the program’s current page.
The Public Health Systems Research Interest Group awards scholarships to students to attend and present research at its annual meeting. Current sponsor, number of student awards, conference requirements, and application status should be verified before applying.
The School Nutrition Foundation offers scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,500 for students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in nutrition education, physical activity, administration, marketing, communications, or operations. SNF membership is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for public health scholarships?
Eligibility varies widely by program. Some awards require full-time enrollment, specific majors, membership, nomination, citizenship, financial need, service commitments, or enrollment at a participating institution. Many federal and agency awards have distinct criteria. Read each program’s current requirements carefully before applying.
Can I apply for more than one public health scholarship at the same time?
Applying to multiple awards can help reduce education costs. Still, students should review each program’s rules on award stacking, service obligations, tax implications, and financial aid coordination policies before accepting funding. Some federal scholarships with service commitments may have terms that affect other funding sources.
Do I need to be enrolled in a CEPH-accredited program to qualify?
Not always. Some national awards, particularly those administered by federal agencies or accreditation-linked organizations, prefer or require CEPH accreditation for MPH and DrPH programs. Others only require enrollment at any accredited U.S. institution. The award description for each scholarship will specify. If your program is in CEPH candidacy rather than full accreditation, check whether that status satisfies the requirement.
What’s the difference between a scholarship, a fellowship, and a grant?
For practical purposes, all three reduce your out-of-pocket education costs, but they work differently. Scholarships are typically award-based and don’t require repayment or a service commitment. Fellowships often combine financial support with a structured training experience or placement, like the CDC fellowships or the USAID Global Health Fellows Program. Grants in this context usually support research or community projects rather than tuition directly. Read the terms carefully: some fellowships and grants require post-graduation service.
Are there public health scholarships specifically for MPH students?
Several awards in the Graduate Scholarships section above may support MPH-level study, including ASPPH fellowship opportunities and Truman Scholarships, which fund graduate study in public service fields. Each listing should be checked for current eligibility and active status. Your MPH program’s financial aid office is also a key resource, since many schools have department-level awards that don’t appear on national databases.
Key Takeaways
- Public health scholarships are available at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels through federal agencies, professional associations, and state organizations.
- The NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program offers up to $20,000 per year for students in health-related programs who demonstrate financial need.
- Federal awards from HRSA and IHS often come with post-graduation service commitments in underserved communities.
- Students focused on nutrition, environmental health, health informatics, or healthcare administration have access to discipline-specific awards beyond general public health scholarships.
- Applying to multiple scholarships simultaneously is standard practice and can significantly reduce the overall cost of a public health degree.
Looking for an accredited public health program that fits your goals and budget? Browse programs by state to find options that match your specialty and schedule.
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Laura Bennett, MPH is a public health professional with over 12 years of experience in community health education and program coordination. She specializes in helping aspiring professionals explore flexible education pathways, including online and hybrid public health degree programs. Laura is passionate about making public health careers more accessible through practical, accredited training
