Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students Program

Bastyr University's Department of Midwifery is the proud recipient of a five-year $3.25 million grant through the U.S. Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA).

Overview

The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) program provides scholarships for full-time students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are enrolled in the Master of Science in Midwifery program at Bastyr University - including those from underrepresented racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic populations. The SDS program can help fund up to $40,000 per academic year in tuition, costs, and living expenses for eligible students who are awarded this scholarship.  

Funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to the Bastyr Midwifery program, this program promotes diversity in the health professions while aiming to increase the number of graduates working in medically underserved and rural communities.  

Please contact the Department of Midwifery at domw@bastyr.edu with any questions.   

Award Amount  

  • No less than half of the annual cost of tuition (which varies by year in the program)  
  • Up to $40,000 per academic year  
  • Award is renewable as long as grant funds remain available  

Download full list of requirements 

Note: Eligibility does not guarantee a scholarship, as funding is limited.   

Criteria and Eligibility

In order to qualify for this scholarship, you must be:   

  • A U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident  
  • From an economically or educationally disadvantaged background (see below definitions)  
  • Demonstrate financial need of at least half the cost of tuition, as indicated on the FAFSA  
  • Enrolled full-time in the Midwifery program at Bastyr University  
  • Maintain good academic standing on a full-time basis in the Midwifery program 

View full list of requirements

Applicants must meet either the educational or economic disadvantage criteria to apply: 

Educational Disadvantage Criteria 

Graduating from a high school with any of the following (this information is usually found on a state’s Dept of Education website):  

  • Graduation rate <85%  
  • Free/reduced price lunch rate > 50% 
  • Per-pupil expenditure < $8000 

Designated as a Targeted Support & Improvement school, a Comprehensive Support & Improvement school or a National Board Challenging school  

Economic Disadvantage Criteria 

An independent student, based on age >24 years and not listed on parental tax returns for 3 or more years, and an income below the annual HRSA low income thresholds for household size  

View full list of requirements

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $649,919 with zero percentage financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.