AHEC Scholars Applicant Information

Prospective NC AHEC Scholars

Program Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to apply, prospective NC AHEC Scholars must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Be enrolled full-time in an approved, college-level health professions education or training program located within their NC AHEC region by August 31
  • Be enrolled in a qualifying college-level health professions program, or be a practicing Community Health Worker (CHW), or be enrolled in a CHW specialty training program in North Carolina
  • Have at least two (2) years remaining in their education or training program, with graduation aligned with completion of the two-year NC AHEC Scholars Program
    • Exception: Practicing CHWs are not required to meet the two-year academic timeline
  • Have reliable access to Wi‑Fi
  • Have reliable transportation
  • Demonstrate a commitment to underserved and rural communities
  • Be eligible to work in the United States
  • Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident
    • International students are not eligible

Applicants are eligible only after formal admission into a credential‑bearing health professions training program that leads to licensure, certification, or a recognized healthcare workforce role aligned with HRSA priorities.

If accepted, a Scholar will be expected to:

  • Commit to full participation for the entire two-year program
  • Complete all required program assignments
  • Complete:
    • 40 hours of didactic training per year
    • 40 hours of experiential and/or clinical training per year
    • Attend the Emerging Leaders in Healthcare Conference each year, held in February

Accepted Degree Programs

The major listed on your official transcript must exactly match one of the approved programs below.

Allied Health

  • Community Health Worker (CHW) – Certificate
  • Dental Hygiene – AS / BS
  • Nutritionist / Dietician – BS / MS
  • Occupational Therapy – MSOT / OTD
    • If in a PhD program, select OTD
  • Pharmacy – DMD
  • Physical Therapy – DPT
  • Radiologic Technology – AS / BS
  • Rehabilitation Therapy – AS / BS
    • Includes Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) and Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
  • Respiratory Therapy – AS / BS
  • Speech Pathology / Therapy – MS

Medicine 

  • Medical School – MD

Dentistry

  • Dental School – DMD

Nursing

  • Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) – MS / DNP
  • Nurse Practitioner (NP) – MS / DNP
  • Registered Nurse (RN) – AS / BSN

Physician Assistant

  • Physician Assistant – MPAS

Public Health

  • Disease Prevention / Health Promotion – BS, BPH, MHA, DrPH
  • Environmental Health – BPH
  • Epidemiology – MPH
  • Health Administration – BS, MHA
  • Health Education – BS, BPH, MPH
  • Health Policy / Management – BPH, MPH
  • Maternal and Child Health – MPH

Behavioral Health

  • Clinical Social Work – BSW, MSW
  • Clinical Psychology – PhD / PsyD

Other Approved Programs

  • Exercise Physiology – MS (Clinical)
  • Health Informatics / Health Information Technology – AS / BS
  • Medical Laboratory Science – AS / BS / MS
    • Includes Clinical Laboratory Science and Medical Laboratory Technician programs

Ineligible Disciplines

The following do not meet eligibility requirements:

  • Interest in a health career alone
  • Pre‑health pathways or minors without admission to a credential‑bearing program
  • Pre‑Med, Pre‑PA, Pre‑Nursing, etc.
  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
  • Licensed Practical / Vocational Nurse (LPN / LVN)
  • Nurse Assistant / Patient Care Associate
  • Substance Use Addictions Worker
  • Behavioral Health Technician / Aide
  • Exercise Physiology (Non‑Clinical)
  • Dental Assistant
  • Medical Assistant
  • EMT / Paramedic
  • Health Science
  • Exercise Science
  • Pharmacy Aide / Technician
  • Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Neuroscience
  • Kinesiology
  • Biology
  • Biomedical Sciences

How to Apply

Complete the NC AHEC Scholars Application. A complete application includes:

  • NC AHEC Scholars Application
  • Essay 300-500 Words (Choose 1 of 3 options)
  • Two (2) References for Letters of Recommendation
  • Copy of Official Transcript

Additional materials may be requested if selected. 

Find Your Regional AHEC

To view region‑specific application instructions, select the AHEC region location where you are currently enrolled in a qualifying health professions education or training program in North Carolina.