Where to Find Scholarships, Grants, and Fellowships

Before you start looking for ways to fund your education, it’s important to understand the difference between the different types of aid.

• A scholarship will apply funds toward your tuition payments and costs. Most are merit–based and don’t need to be repaid.
• A grant will apply funds toward your tuition payments and costs. Most are need-based and don’t need to be repaid.
• A fellowship allows you to receive funding while pursuing specific academic interests. Many are prestigious and competitive. Some may require you to take additional steps beyond submitting an application, like getting nominated, being interviewed, or also making a presentation.

Many need and merit-based scholarships require you to apply for federal student aid by completing the FAFSA form. The information you provide on your FAFSA application helps determine how much aid you’re eligible for.

Once you decide on a specific school and program, contact their financial aid office. They can provide more information about what scholarships, grants, and fellowships are available from the school.

Healthcare administration groups can also be a helpful source for scholarships. These groups can be found at the national and regional level. Here are some examples of American healthcare organizations:

• The American College of Healthcare Executives
• The Association of University Programs in Health Administration
• The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society
• The Healthcare Financial Management Association
• American Health Information Management Association Foundation
• The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

How to Win Scholarships

Here are some tips to help you improve your chance of winning a healthcare administration scholarship:

• Dig deep, and research the scholarship sponsor. Look for their mission statement in the “About Us” section of their website. What values or skills are important to them? Make sure to address those areas in your application.
• Volunteer at a healthcare facility in your local community. Many healthcare administration scholarship sponsors are looking for healthcare volunteer experience.
• Google yourself. Make sure your online presence is professional. Clean up your social media. Delete inappropriate posts and photos.
• Answer the optional questions on the application. This will show your initiative.
• Apply to as many scholarships as you can. Even small scholarships, when combined, can add to your funding. Smaller scholarship offerings often have fewer applicants, and that alone can increase your chances of getting one.
• Apply to essay contests. Contests can increase your odds of getting funding.
• Proofread everything several times. Spelling and grammar mistakes are a big no-no. You don’t want to miss an opportunity because of a misspelled word or a poorly structured sentence.

Most programs require you to write an essay as part of your application. Schools will use it to find out what makes you special and sets you apart from other applicants.Write about what’s important to you. Highlight your unique qualities that are an advantage in a healthcare administration career. Show why you deserve the scholarship.It’s also important to be honest. Explain your motivation. Include your career goals. Tell the scholarship committee why you want the money, and what you plan to do with it. 

You may also be required to submit a resume with your scholarship application that outlines your accomplishments and the most positive traits about you.

If they don’t require a resume, adding one may help you get an edge if they allow you to submit additional materials.Try to keep your resume to one page. If you don’t have a lot of work experience, list volunteer and community service. You can also list your activities in student organizations, clubs, sports, and other extracurriculars.