Midwestern University Diversity Scholarship
Midwestern University is pleased to announce a new Diversity Scholarship that will provide need-based scholarships for qualified students on both the Downers Grove, Illinois, and Glendale, Arizona campuses. Midwestern University students from all Colleges and Programs are eligible to apply for the two $5,000 scholarships that will be awarded for each campus beginning with the 2020-2021 academic year.
“At Midwestern University, our culture has long been one of equity—for our students, for our faculty and staff, for our patients, and for our communities.,” said Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Midwestern University. “Strengthening and promoting diversity in the healthcare workforce is a critical component of Midwestern University's mission to educate the twenty-first century healthcare team to meet the needs of all members of our society,” she added.
Details about the application process and eligibility requirements are available on the University’s Financial Aid website. The MWU Diversity Scholarship is part of the University’s 5-Step Plan for Greater Diversity and Inclusion and an addition to the already robust scholarship opportunities available to Midwestern University students.
College of Graduate Studies (CGS) Scholarship for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The College ofGraduate Studies (CGS) is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The CGS Scholarship for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a merit- and needs-based award for qualified underrepresented minority students who are pursuing a Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences (MA) or Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS) degree at Midwestern University (MWU) in Downers Grove, IL or Glendale, AZ. CGS believes that advocating for students from diverse backgrounds results in improvement, creativity, and innovation in biomedical research, patient treatment, and the delivery of healthcare.
To be eligible for this scholarship, the applicant must matriculate into the Midwestern University Biomedical Sciences Program to receive the scholarship, meet HRSA criteria for an underrepresented minority in health professions (https://bhw.hrsa.gov/glossary#u), and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Recipients receive individual awards that are equivalent to one-quarter of full tuition for theMWU MA or MBS program, and up to two-quarters of full tuition for the MBS program. Scholarship payments are disbursed directly to the Registrar on behalf of the student. The submission deadline for applications is July 15th of every year (extended to September 2nd for academic year 2022-23). The student application must include a personal statement (no more than 5,000 characters including spaces) that addresses the following question, “How do you apply your experience as an underrepresented minority to serve, motivate, and inspire others?” A confidential letter of recommendation from someone who can evaluate the academic performance of an applicant who is applying for admission to the MA/MBS program is also required. For questions regarding our Biomedical Sciences programs or scholarship opportunities, please contact the Midwestern University Office of Admissions.
Delta Dental Diversity Scholarship
Midwestern University in cooperation with Delta Dental of Illinois is pleased to announce the establishment of a new scholarship fund intended to foster student body diversity and extend opportunities for healthcare students from underrepresented minority groups. Two $50,000 scholarships will be awarded annually to eligible students of the University’s College of Dental Medicine-Illinois.
The new Delta Dental of Illinois Diversity Admissions Scholarship applies to incoming first-year dental medicine students belonging to minority groups as defined by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), including American Indian and Alaska Native communities, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders. The scholarships will be awarded on a competitive basis taking into account past academic performance; commitment to diversity, leadership, and community service; and demonstrated financial need, with consideration to applicants who are first-generation college students.
Details about the application process and eligibility requirements will be available on Midwestern University’s Financial Aid website at: https://www.midwestern.edu/admissions/tuition-and-financial-aid/scholarships.xml.
Edna Dunning AZCOM Minority Scholarship Fund
The Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) at Midwestern University has announced the establishment of a new scholarship fund intended to foster student body diversity and extend opportunities for healthcare students from underrepresented minority groups.
The new Edna Dunning AZCOM Minority Scholarship Fund applies to incoming first-year osteopathic medical students belonging to minority groups as defined by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), including American Indian and Alaska Native communities, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders. The scholarship funds will be awarded competitively to eligible students based on past academic performance; commitment to diversity, leadership, and community service; and demonstrated financial need, with consideration to applicants who are first-generation college students.
“This scholarship fund is an important step in our ongoing pursuit of creating a vibrant and diverse student body,” says Lori Kemper, D.O., Dean of the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. “These funds provide a stepping stone to healthcare careers for deserving minority students, as well as an investment in the health and well-being of their communities when they eventually begin practice.”
Details about the application process and eligibility requirements will be available on Midwestern University’s Financial Aid website at: https://www.midwestern.edu/admissions/tuition-and-financial-aid/scholarships.xml.
Mary E. Cranker CCOM Minority Scholarship Fund
The Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) at Midwestern University has announced the establishment of a new scholarship fund intended to foster student body diversity and extend opportunities for healthcare students from underrepresented minority groups.
The new Mary E. Cranker CCOM Minority Scholarship Fund applies to incoming first-year osteopathic medical students belonging to minority groups as defined by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), including American Indian and Alaska Native communities, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders. The scholarship funds will be awarded competitively to eligible students based on past academic performance; commitment to diversity, leadership, and community service; and demonstrated financial need, with consideration to applicants who are first-generation college students.
“A critical pillar of the vision of the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine is a commitment to diversity. Our mission to educate osteopathic physicians to provide compassionate quality care is enriched by the diversity of our students,” said Thomas Boyle, D.O., Dean, CCOM. “The Mary E. Cranker Student Scholarship Fund will assist in our recruitment of a diverse population of students to care for patients well into the future.”
Details about the application process and eligibility requirements will be available on Midwestern University’s Financial Aid website at: https://www.midwestern.edu/admissions/tuition-and-financial-aid/scholarships.xml.
VSP Global Diversity Admissions Scholarship
Midwestern University in cooperation with Vision Service Plan (VSP) is pleased to announce the establishment of a new scholarship fund intended to foster student body diversity and extend opportunities for healthcare students from underrepresented minority groups. One $10,000 scholarship will be awarded per year to eligible students of the University’s Chicago College of Optometry (CCO) or Arizona College of Optometry (AZCOPT), alternating between the two colleges, for an initial period of six years.
The new VSP Global Diversity Admissions Scholarship is open to incoming first-year optometry students belonging to minority groups as defined by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), including American Indian and Alaska Native communities, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders. A student may apply for the scholarship if the student is an underrepresented minority and the year in which the student matriculates coincides with the year in which the scholarship is available for that student's respective College (CCO or AZCOPT). The scholarships will be awarded on a competitive basis taking into account past academic performance; commitment to diversity, leadership, and community service; and demonstrated financial need, with consideration to applicants who are first-generation college students.
Details about the application process and eligibility requirements will be available on Midwestern University’s Financial Aid website at: https://www.midwestern.edu/admissions/tuition-and-financial-aid/scholarships.xml.
Military & Veteran Educational Benefits
MWU will certify VA benefits for students under the following benefit chapters:
- Chapter 33 (Post 9/11): Eligible to veterans and servicepersons with at least 90 days of active duty service after 9/10/01, or 30 days if discharged with a service-connected disability.
- Chapter 30: Eligible to veterans and servicepersons with at least 2 years of active duty after 6/30/85, and some veterans who were eligible for another benefit prior to that time.
- Chapter 31: Eligible to veterans and servicepersons who require vocational rehabilitation.
- Chapter 35: Eligible to dependents of a veteran who died in service or is totally and permanently disabled as a result of service.
- Chapter 1606: Eligible to active members of the selected reserves with a six-year obligation contract.
- Chapter 1607: Eligible to reservists called to active duty for 90 days or longer in response to a contingency operation.
Service members may also find that they can transfer benefit entitlements to their spouses or dependent children.
Students must receive approval of benefit eligibility status through the VA at www.gibill.va.gov and forward a copy of their "Certificate of Eligibility to their Registrar's office for processing. Students should then contact their Registrar's office for further instructions regarding required paperwork and time frame for processing enrollment certification. Students who receive VA educational benefits are required to provide official military transcripts for review of prior education/training to the Registrar's Office at the time of matriculation.
Midwestern University Office of Student Financial Services
Our Office of Student Financial Services is committed to providing the highest level of customer service to support our students in achieving their academic goals. We intend to ensure that each student graduates from Midwestern University with the lowest possible educational debt and guarantee that the distribution of financial aid funds will be fair and equitable. We are committed to providing a comprehensive financial literacy program to support our students and alumni that will serve as a model to other institutions. Our goal is to create an environment that embraces teamwork and collaborative partnerships within the educational community.
Other grants/scholarship opportunities (External resources)
AACOM's Sherry R. Arnstein Minority Student Scholarship - Each year, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) awards a financial scholarship to newly accepted and continuing students attending one of the member colleges of the AACOM.
American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC) - Merit-based funding opportunities for eligible American Indian and Alaska Natives pursuing medical and other professional/graduate degrees.
Chinese American Medical Society (CAMS) Scholarship Program - Awards scholarships to first, second, and third year medical or dental students in good standing; applicants must be current or pending CAMS Student Members.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund - HSF awards annual scholarships to graduate students of Hispanic heritage.
Indian Health Service Scholarship Program - Provides scholarship support to qualified American Indian and Alaska Native students to pursue health professions careers.
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Academic Scholarship - The JFMC administers educational scholarship funds to help Jewish college and graduate students with financial need.
Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program - Health Resources & Services Administration's scholarships to Native Hawaiians pursuing careers in primary and behavioral health disciplines.
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP) - Through the PSEP, students pursuing careers in 10 health fields – ranging from optometry to dentistry to veterinary medicine – may enroll in participating programs across state lines and receive substantial tuition support from their home state or territory. Through PSEP, a student can save $32,000 to $130,000 on tuition over the duration of a health degree study. By participating in PSEP, Western states and territories benefit by inspiring and compelling graduates to return home to practice and bolster the professional health care workforce of their communities.
Federal Trade Commission: Information on How to Avoid Scholarship & Financial Aid Scams