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Regents Health Care Scholarship (HC)

The following program provides financial assistance on the basis of academic achievement. Recipients are selected by the New York State Education Department and the Awards are paid through HESC.

This scholarship program is subject to an annual appropriation that the New York State Legislature determines. The number of awards available each year varies depending on legislative action. The New York State Education Department awards scholarships, and HESC pays them.

Categories of Candidates

Priorities for selecting scholarship recipients are candidates who are:

1. economically disadvantaged and members of a minority group that is historically under-represented in the profession for which the scholarship was awarded

2. members of a minority group that is under-represented in the profession for which the scholarship was awarded

3. enrolled in or are graduates of a state-sponsored opportunity program, such as SEEK, College Discovery, EOP or HEOP

If there are more candidates with the same priority than there are scholarships in an award area, HESC awards scholarships by random selection.

Eligibility Criteria

To receive the scholarship the student must:

• meet one of the United States citizenship requirements;

• meet New York State residency requirements;

• enroll as a full-time student;

• enroll in an approved program of study in a New York State postsecondary institution;

• have a matriculated status;

• be in good academic standing; have at least a cumulative "C" average after two annual payments;

• not be in default on any guaranteed student loan HESC administers; and

• enroll in a program of study in medicine or dentistry.

Duration

Students can receive award payment for up to four years of study or eight semesters.

Award Calculation

The maximum annual award is $10,000, prorated by term. However, no award can exceed the student's cost of attendance. If a TAP award is also received, the combined award cannot exceed cost of attendance. In these cases, HESC would reduce the TAP award accordingly.

Application Procedure

Students must submit an application to the State Education Department by the deadline established for this program, which is normally January before the academic year for which assistance is sought. Those students selected to receive a scholarship must submit an application to HESC by May 1 of the academic year for which assistance is sought.

Leave of Absence

A student who is unable to use the scholarship during the first academic year of eligibility must submit a written request for a leave of absence to HESC by January 31 of the academic year.

Acceptable Reasons HESC may grant a leave for:

• health reasons,

• financial condition,

• military or national service, or

• other individual circumstances.

Unacceptable Reasons HESC may not grant a leave for:

• unapproved study at an institution outside New York State;

• study in a program not approved for the scholarship; or

• failure to be admitted to a program of study for which the scholarship was granted. These students must decline the scholarship but can re-apply in later years if admitted to an appropriate program of study.

Concurrent Awards

If the New York State Commissioner of Education determines a form of aid cannot be held concurrently with the scholarship, the scholarship winner is not eligible to receive payment while receiving such aid. However, HESC does not revoke the scholarship, and if the concurrent aid later is not available to the student, HESC will pay the scholarship. If otherwise eligible, a student who receives concurrent aid may still receive a TAP award. However, the combined award cannot exceed the cost of attendance. In these cases, HESC would reduce the TAP award accordingly.

Revocation

HESC can revoke the scholarship for any of the following reasons:

• The student is enrolled at an out-of-state institution during the first academic year of eligibility. The student loses all future eligibility for the award. The scholarship cannot be reinstated even if the student later enrolls in a program of study in a New York State institution.

• The student does not comply with the rules, regulations or conditions of their institutions.

• The student does not comply with the New York State Education Commissioner's regulations or with any of HESC's provisions for using the award.

• The scholarship is awarded through error or contrary to law.

• The student receives another award or fellowship that has a service obligation.

Reawards

If a recipient declines a scholarship, SED reawards it to the next-highest ranking candidate up to January 31 of the academic year for which the scholarship was originally awarded. The same conditions that apply to original scholarship recipients also apply to recipients of reawarded scholarships.

Service Requirement

HESC requires scholarship recipients to serve either in an area of New York State designated as a physician shortage area or in an area with a population that has a demonstrably lower level of dental or medical care. HESC requires 12 months of service for each annual payment received. However, HESC requires a minimum of 24 months of service, even if the student only received one annual payment. Within one year of completing their professional training, scholarship holders must forward to HESC for approval a plan for completing their service obligation. Recipients who fail to provide the required service will be required to repay twice the amount of assistance received plus liquidated damage and interest at the maximum prevailing rate within a five-year period. Repayment can be excused on grounds of extreme hardship.

For additional information and applications, you may contact HESC’s Grants and Scholarships Unit at the address and telephone number listed below.

New York State Higher Education Services Corporation
99 Washington Avenue · Albany, New York 12255 · (888) NYS-HESC
www.hesc.com