WHAT IS THE SDS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM?
Our School of Nursing has been awarded 2.3 million dollars in scholarship funds to cover the cost of tuition, books, and other academic and living expenses for students who are pursuing Master of Science degrees through a grant awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This funding program is known as the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) Program. The program’s goal is to increase the number of students in health professions to provide care to underserved populations following completion of the student’s degree.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FUNDING?
Up until December 2018, students needed to be full time to get funding. As we approach our final grant year, the criteria is revised. For the May 2019-May 2020 academic year, we will now fund NEW students in the FIRST YEAR of their studies, and CURRENT students in ANY year of their studies, with a preference for students who are taking A HIGHER NUMBER of credits. Please consider applying for Spring 2019 scholarship funds if you qualify.
Funds are awarded to eligible students who:
(A) are from an educationally/environmentally background
(B) have filed a 2018-2019 FAFSA form; and
(C) are citizens/nationals/legal permanent residents of the United States.
WHAT CONSTITUTES AN EDUCATIONALLY/ENVIRONMENTALLY DISADVANTAGED BACKGROUND?
Educationally/environmentally disadvantaged means an individual comes from an environment that has made it difficult for the individual to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to enroll in and graduate from a health professions school. For example:
The individual is the first generation in his or her family to attend college.
English is not the individual’s primary language and language is still a barrier to academic performance.
The individual comes from a family that received public assistance (e.g., Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program, Medicaid, and/or public housing).
The individual graduated from a high school with low average SAT/ACT scores, or below average state test/Regents’ results, based on recent annual data, such as:
http://data.nysed.gov/lists.php?type=district
The individual graduated from a high school that had a low percentage of seniors receiving a high school diploma, based on recent annual data, such as:
http://data.nysed.gov/lists.php?type=district
http://schools.nyc.gov/Accountability/data/GraduationDropoutReports/default.htm
The individual graduated from a high school that had a low percentage of graduates (<60%) who go to college during the first year after graduation, based on recent annual data, such as:
http://data.nysed.gov/lists.php?type=district
http://schools.nyc.gov/Accountability/data/GraduationDropoutReports/default.htm
The individual graduated from a high school with low per capita funding.
The individual graduated from a high school where many students (at least 30%) were eligible for free or reduced-price lunches, based on recent annual data, such as:
http://data.nysed.gov/lists.php?type=district
WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR APPLYING?
SDS funds are limited and awarded until funds are exhausted. Eligible applicants are asked to complete the SDS Application Form (see link below), as well as a FAFSA form. Prospective awardees will have their applications reviewed by the scholarship committee following the deadline for submission. It is not guaranteed that applicants will receive an award, or that recipients of the scholarship will be awarded the maximum funding ($30,000 annually if a full time students) based upon financial need. For students that are receiving loans up to the student’s total cost of attendance and are awarded this scholarship, the scholarship may replace a portion of those loan funds.
Students will enroll and pay for summer courses per routine. Following committee determinations at the end of the summer, funded applicants will be notified of their successful application, and have the opportunity to accept or reject the funding. If accepted, SDS Scholars will receive scholarship funds in the fall semester, to cover both summer and fall tuition/fees. (It is often late fall that monies are actually seen.) We will reverse any fall late fees that Scholars may see while we process awards. SDS awards may impact receipt of other financial aid awards, tuition waivers, or federal loans. Scholarship applicants can make an appointment with HSC Office of Student Services at any time to discuss the impact of SDS awards on other awards and loans.
If you are interested in pursuing this scholarship, please fill out an application and return signed forms by email (Use desktop scanner, or a scanner app) for review and processing to:
Theresa Wenz, SDS Grant Manager
Email: theresa.wenz@stonybrook.edu
DEADLINE to receive application for 2019-2020 funding is July 1st, 2019.
You will receive confirmation of application receipt by email.
PLEASE re-send if confirmation not received within 3 business days.
(FAFSA must be received by SBU HSC Office of Student Services within one week of this date.)
