American Indian Medical Scholarship Program

Scholarship Sponsored by National Society of the Colonial Dames of America

American Indian Medical Scholarship (AIMS) — Program Overview Description **Program at a glance** The American Indian Medical Scholarship (AIMS) is an NSCDA-sponsored program that supports Native American, Alaskan Native, and Hawaiian Native students pursuing health-related careers. AIMS awards financial assistance to students enrolled in accredited health programs who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to serve their communities. The scholarship targets students at multiple education levels, from those entering pre-professional health programs to post-graduate trainees. The program emphasizes culturally relevant healthcare workforce development for tribal communities across the United States. Key takeaways - Funded by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA). - Supports Native American, Alaskan Native, and Hawaiian Native students in health fields. - Focuses on students with financial need and a community service commitment. - Available to students at undergraduate and post-graduate levels. History of the Award **Origins and development** AIMS began as one of NSCDA’s earliest educational initiatives in the late 1920s when the Pennsylvania Society created a nursing scholarship to enable two Native American women to complete accredited nursing training. From that initial nursing scholarship, the program evolved into a national medical scholarship supporting a broader range of health professions. Over the decades AIMS has expanded its scope and reach while maintaining the original expectation that recipients serve their native communities after training. As the program nears its centennial, NSCDA supporters aim to further increase scholarship capacity. Key takeaways - Originated in 1928 as a Pennsylvania Society nursing scholarship. - Evolved from a local nursing award to a national health-focused scholarship program. - Longstanding expectation for scholars to return and serve their communities. - Current NSCDA goals include expanding scholarship numbers as AIMS approaches 100 years. Eligibility **Who qualifies** To be considered for AIMS, applicants must be enrolled members of a tribe or village; applicants without enrollment may be eligible if they can demonstrate direct tribal ancestry. Applicants must be pursuing a career directly related to the healthcare needs of American Indian, Alaskan Native, or Hawaiian Native communities and must demonstrate financial need. Eligible applicants include high school graduates (or equivalent), students in the final high-school semester, undergraduates in accredited programs, and post-graduate students who meet program criteria and academic standing requirements. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited school and either be in a professional health program (or in pre-nursing/pre-med with good scholastic standing) or enrolled in a health care or health education program; they must also be recommended by a school official. Key takeaways - Tribal enrollment required; proof of direct tribal ancestry may substitute if not enrolled. - Must pursue a health career addressing Native community needs. - Open to high school graduates, current undergraduates, and post-graduate students. - Requires enrollment in an accredited program, good academic standing, and a recommendation. Award Value **Amount and duration** AIMS awards $1,500 per semester to each selected scholar. The scholarship may be renewed for up to eight semesters per recipient, which equates to a maximum of $12,000 over the course of study. Renewal is contingent on continued eligibility and academic standing as required by the program and the recipient’s institution. The award provides predictable per-semester support to help defray education costs across multiple academic terms. Key takeaways - $1,500 awarded per semester. - Renewable for up to 8 semesters (maximum $12,000 total per scholar). - Renewal depends on ongoing eligibility and academic standing. - Distributed on a per-semester basis to support multi-term study. Application Timeline **When to apply** Applications for each AIMS cycle open two months before the published due date; prospective applicants should confirm cycle dates with NSCDA or the program’s official materials. Because documentation (tribal enrollment or ancestry proof, academic records, and recommendations) can take time to assemble, applicants are advised to prepare materials well before the application opens. Specific deadlines and submission instructions vary by cycle, so applicants must refer to the current application announcement for exact dates and requirements. Key takeaways - Applications open two months prior to each cycle’s due date. - Confirm exact deadlines and instructions with NSCDA for each cycle. - Gather tribal documentation, transcripts, and recommendations in advance. - Deadlines and submission requirements may change between cycles. Current Reach and Impact **Scholars, institutions, and growth goals** Currently, AIMS supports scholars attending 15 different schools across 11 states, covering a wide range of health-related programs from undergraduate nursing to post-graduate medical degrees. Recipients consistently pledge to return and serve their native communities, reinforcing the program’s mission to strengthen tribal healthcare capacity. NSCDA remains committed to growing both the number of scholarships and the pool of scholars; as AIMS approaches its centennial, supporters aspire to increase annual awards to 20 or more. The program’s geographic and disciplinary diversity reflects an ongoing effort to address varied healthcare needs across Native communities. Key takeaways - Presently supports scholars at 15 schools in 11 states. - Scholars study a range of health professions, from nursing to advanced medical degrees. - Recipients commit to serve their native communities upon completion. - NSCDA aims to expand scholarship numbers to 20+ as the program grows.