Advanced Practice Healthcare Scholarship Program

Scholarship Sponsored by Department of Health Care Access and Information

Description

The Advanced Practice Healthcare Scholarship Program (APHSP) is a California program that expands access to advanced practice clinicians by funding students and recent graduates who will provide direct patient care in qualified local facilities. Administered by the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), APHSP targets underserved communities across the state to increase both the number and diversity of clinicians delivering frontline care. Awards are offered to trainees who commit to deliver direct client care in eligible locations after graduation. The program focuses on strengthening local healthcare capacity by linking financial support to service in high-need settings.

Key takeaways:
- APHSP funds trainees who will provide direct patient care in California.
- Program administered by HCAI to increase workforce capacity and diversity.
- Awards are conditional on a service commitment in underserved or qualifying facilities.
- Focus is on advanced-practice disciplines and graduate/postgraduate trainees.

History of the Award

APHSP is financed through a combination of grants, donations, and special funds and is supported by the County Medical Services Program (CMSP) Governing Board for certain counties. HCAI operates the program and manages scholarships and loan repayments to build the state’s healthcare workforce. The CMSP Governing Board specifically funds awards for students who reside in or graduated from high school in CMSP-designated counties, aligning resources with regional workforce needs. This funding partnership directs support toward communities with documented access challenges.

Key takeaways:
- Funding sources include grants, donations, and special state funds.
- CMSP Governing Board provides targeted funding for CMSP counties.
- HCAI administers awards to increase California’s healthcare workforce.
- The program prioritizes regions with access and workforce shortages.

Eligibility

To qualify for APHSP, applicants must be California residents who are currently enrolled in an accredited graduate or postgraduate program (or accepted into one) and meet academic and enrollment minimums. Applicants must maintain at least six semester units (or equivalent) until program completion and hold a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher (and maintain that GPA). Applicants may not have any existing service obligations to other entities (including other HCAI programs) and may not be in breach of any prior HCAI service obligation. Additionally, applicants must either live in a County Medical Services Program (CMSP) county or have graduated from high school in a CMSP county (homeschooled or GED applicants use the county of residence at that time).

Key takeaways:
- Must be a California resident enrolled/accepted into an accredited graduate/postgraduate program.
- Maintain at least six semester units and a minimum 2.0 GPA through program completion.
- No existing service obligations or breaches with HCAI or other entities.
- Residency/graduation must tie to a CMSP county (with special rules for homeschooled/GED applicants).

Service Obligation

Recipients commit to a one-year, post-graduation service obligation delivering direct patient care in an underserved area or qualifying facility located in a CMSP county. The commitment requires at least 32 hours per week of direct client care for the full one-year service period. The obligation is designed to ensure funded clinicians immediately contribute to local clinical capacity where need is highest. Failure to meet the service obligation may have consequences specified by program rules.

Key takeaways:
- Service obligation: one year of direct patient care in an underserved/qualifying CMSP facility.
- Minimum requirement: 32 hours per week of direct client care.
- Obligation ensures awardees provide immediate workforce impact in high-need areas.
- Noncompliance is subject to program enforcement.

Award Value

Awards under APHSP provide financial support to eligible applicants who commit to the program’s service requirement. The maximum award amount available to qualifying recipients is $25,000. Awards are intended to reduce financial barriers to advanced training and to incentivize service in underserved communities. Specific disbursement timing and conditions are managed by HCAI and tied to program participation and completion of obligations.

Key takeaways:
- Maximum award per recipient: up to $25,000.
- Awards are contingent on committing to the one-year service obligation.
- Funding aims to offset training costs and encourage practice in underserved areas.
- HCAI administers award disbursement and enforces conditions.

Eligible Disciplines

APHSP supports trainees enrolled in accredited graduate or postgraduate programs that lead to advanced-practice or clinical licensure in a defined set of professions. Eligible programs include advanced nursing degrees (MSN, DNP), nurse midwifery, nurse anesthesia, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, pharmacy (PharmD), physical therapy (MPT/ DPT), physician assistant, dental (DMD), chiropractic, and counseling/rehabilitation counseling pathways. The program is limited to professions that will provide direct client care in outpatient, inpatient, or community settings consistent with the program’s workforce objectives. Applicants must be on a trajectory toward professional licensure or certification in one of these eligible fields.

Key takeaways:
- Supports advanced-practice and clinical graduate/postgraduate programs only.
- Eligible professions include nursing (MSN/DNP), nurse midwives/anesthetists, NPs/CNSs, PharmD/pharmacists, PTs, PAs, dentists (DMD), chiropractors, and rehabilitation counselors.
- Applicants must be in accredited programs leading to licensure or certification.
- Focus is on disciplines that deliver direct patient/client care.

Application Timeline and How to Apply

APHSP uses a defined set of dates for eligibility and application submission that applicants must meet to be considered. Applicants must begin their class or training program by October 1, 2025, and must graduate after March 31, 2026. The online application must be completed and submitted at https://funding.hcai.ca.gov/ by October 3, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Service must begin within six months of graduation (see program rules for exact timing and verification requirements).

Key takeaways:
- Begin program by October 1, 2025.
- Graduate after March 31, 2026.
- Application deadline: October 3, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. via https://funding.hcai.ca.gov/.
- Service start must occur within six months of graduation.

Contact and Additional Information

For program administration, eligibility verification, and funding details, applicants should consult HCAI’s funding portal and program materials. HCAI manages applications, award decisions, and post-award compliance for APHSP; the CMSP Governing Board provides targeted funding for candidates tied to CMSP counties. Review program guidance carefully for documentation requirements (residency, schooling history, GPA verification) and any updates to timelines or eligible locations.

Key takeaways:
- HCAI is the administrative contact for applications and program rules.
- CMSP funds selected awards for applicants linked to CMSP counties.
- Applicants should prepare documentation for residency, GPA, and schooling history.
- Check HCAI’s portal for the most current instructions and program updates.