What Does Disadvantaged Mean?
For the purposes of this scholarship program-- which is a program from the US Department of Health and Welfare, Health Services and Resources Administration, Bureau of Primary Care--disadvantaged refers to a variety of things including your financial status, your family's educational history, the location of your hometown,etc.
In order to be eligible for the SDS scholarship, you must be enrolled full time in one of the qualifying departments, and you must be considered either low income according to the guidelines below, or must answer yes to at least one of the statements under the Environmentally / Disadvantaged Background definition. Awards will be disbursed to students in the following order: (1) students who fit the low income guidelines, and (2) students who fit the environmentally disadvantaged background.
Here is a list of the guidelines from the academic year 2005-2006. Students who qualify meet one (or both) of the categories below.
- Family Income. A family with an annual income below a level based on low-income thresholds according to family size published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census. This must include the parental income of each student regardless of age or independent status, in the table listed below. Non-traditional students may notice that this table does not fit their particular financial situation well. If you contact the IRHS, we can help you see how you may qualify for the program.
- Environmentally/Disadvantaged. If you meet one or more of the following criteria, you are considered to have come from an "environmentally disadvantaged background." You will notice that many people who come from non-metropolitan areas and those from less economically resourced urban areas qualify under these guidelines.
- The individual graduated from (or last attended) a high school from which a low percentage of seniors receive a high school diploma.
- The individual graduated from (or last attended) a high school at which, based on most recent data available, many of the enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced price lunches.
- The individual comes from a family that receives public assistance, (e.g., Aid to Families with Dependent Children, food stamps, Medicaid, public housing).
- The individual comes from a family that lives in an area that is designated under section 332 of the Act as a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), a Medically Underserved Area (MUA), a Dental Health Professions Shortage area (DHPSA) or a Mental Health Professions Shortage Area (MHPSA).
- The individual participated in an academic enrichment program funding in whole or in part by the Health Career Opportunity Program, authorized by section 739 of the Act.
- High School drop-outs who received AHS diploma or GED and from a rural area/public assistance.
- An individual comes from a school district where 50% or less of graduates go to college/or where college education is not encouraged.
- First generation to attend college who are from a rural areas/public assistance.
- Person who has a diagnosed physical or mental impairment, that substantially limits the person’s participation in the educational experiences and opportunities offered by the college.
- Students for whom English is not their primary language and must take a Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) before entering health professions/nursing school.
- Students who have been accepted to the program after academic reassessment at the completion of remedial courses.
| Number of People in Parent's Family* | Income Level |
| 1 | $19,140 |
| 2 | $25,660 |
| 3 | $32,180 |
| 4 | $38,700 |
| 5 | $45,220 |
| 6 or more | $51,740 |
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*1 Includes only dependents listed on Federal income tax forms. |
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