Advanced Practice Healthcare Scholarship Program

Scholarship Sponsored by Department of Health Care Access and Information

Description

The Advanced Practice Healthcare Scholarship Program (APHSP) awards scholarships to increase the number and diversity of advanced-practice clinicians providing direct patient care in California’s underserved communities. Administered by the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), the program supports graduate and postgraduate health professional students who commit to clinical service after graduation. Funding comes from grants, donations, and special funds; eligible applicants who accept the award must be prepared to meet a service commitment in a qualifying facility. The program targets clinicians who will practice in areas that lack sufficient access to care.

Key takeaways

• Purpose:

Increase appropriately trained advanced practice clinicians in underserved California communities.

• Administrator:

Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI).

• Target:

Graduate/postgraduate students preparing for direct patient care roles.

• Funding sources:

Grants, donations, and special funds.

Eligibility

APHSP eligibility requires academic standing, residency, and the ability to accept the program’s service obligation. Applicants must be enrolled or accepted into an accredited graduate/postgraduate program and maintain minimum enrollment and GPA standards. Candidates must be California residents and meet County Medical Services Program (CMSP) county residency or high school graduation criteria. Applicants also must have no existing or conflicting service obligation with another entity or HCAI program.

Key takeaways

• Academic enrollment:

Must be accepted/enrolled in an accredited graduate or postgraduate program leading to a qualifying advanced-practice credential.

• Minimum course load:

Remain enrolled in at least six semester units (or equivalent) until program completion.

• Academic standing:

Minimum GPA of 2.0 (most recent and maintained through completion).

• Residency:

Must be a California resident and either live in a CMSP county or have graduated high school in a CMSP county (for homeschooled/GED applicants, the county lived in during that period must be a CMSP county).

• Existing obligations:

No current service obligations or breaches with other entities, including HCAI programs.

Eligible Disciplines

APHSP is limited to candidates enrolled in specific graduate or postgraduate programs that prepare them for advanced-practice roles. The program supports a broad set of clinical professions across nursing, pharmacy, therapy, physician-assistant, dental, chiropractic, and counseling fields. Applicants must be on a clear pathway to one of the listed credentials to qualify.

Key takeaways

• Nursing:

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Certified Nurse Midwife, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist.

• Pharmacy:

Doctor of Pharmacy, Pharmacist.

• Therapies:

Master or Doctor of Physical Therapy, Physical Therapist.

• Physician Assistant:

Master of Physician Assistant, Physician Assistant.

• Dental and Chiropractic:

Doctor of Dental Medicine, Dentist, Doctor of Chiropractic, Chiropractor.

• Counseling:

Master of Counseling, Rehabilitation Counselor.

Award Value and Funding

APHSP awards applicants up to $25,000 for a one-year service commitment. The award amount is intended to support advanced-practice students in completing their training and transitioning into clinical roles in underserved settings. Funding is drawn from a mix of grants, donations, and special funds managed by HCAI. Specific disbursement timing and conditions are described in the award agreement.

Key takeaways

• Maximum award:

Up to $25,000 per recipient.

• Purpose:

Financial support for training and transition into clinical practice.

• Funding sources:

Grants, donations, and special funds managed by HCAI.

• Conditions:

Award tied to accepting and completing the required service obligation.

Service Obligation

Recipients must commit to a defined one-year service obligation providing direct patient care at least 32 hours per week in an underserved area or qualifying facility located in a CMSP county. Service must begin within six months of graduation and be fulfilled in a CMSP county to meet program requirements. The obligation cannot overlap or conflict with any other service contracts; recipients must have no existing obligations when applying.

Key takeaways

• Duration:

One-year service obligation.

• Workload:

Minimum 32 hours per week of direct patient care.

• Location:

Underserved area or qualifying facility within a CMSP county.

• Start window:

Must begin within six months of graduation.

• Conflict of interest:

No concurrent service obligations with other programs or entities.

Application Timeline and How to Apply

Important dates and submission steps determine applicant eligibility and award consideration. Applicants must begin their class or training program by October 1, 2025, and submit a completed application through HCAI’s funding portal by October 3, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Recipients must graduate after March 31, 2026, and maintain required enrollment and GPA through program completion. Apply online at: https://funding.hcai.ca.gov/.

Key takeaways

• Program start requirement:

Begin class or training program by October 1, 2025.

• Application deadline:

Submit via https://funding.hcai.ca.gov/ by October 3, 2025, 3:00 p.m.

• Graduation window:

Must graduate after March 31, 2026.

• Ongoing requirements:

Maintain minimum enrollment and GPA until program completion.

History of the Award

HCAI administers APHSP as part of a broader strategy to increase and diversify California’s healthcare workforce through scholarships and loan repayment programs. The County Medical Services Program (CMSP) Governing Board provides targeted funding support for applicants who reside in or graduated high school in CMSP-designated counties. This targeted funding aligns scholarship priorities with geographic workforce needs in medically underserved regions.

Key takeaways

• Administrator role:

HCAI runs scholarships and loan repayment programs to strengthen the workforce.

• CMSP involvement:

CMSP Governing Board funds support applicants from CMSP-designated counties.

• Goal alignment:

Funding prioritizes placement of advanced-practice clinicians in medically underserved areas.