American Indian Medical Scholarship Program

Scholarship Sponsored by National Society of the Colonial Dames of America

Description
**Program summary**
The American Indian Medical Scholarship (AIMS) is a long-standing NSCDA-sponsored program that supports Native American, Alaskan Native, and Hawaiian Native students pursuing health-related careers. It provides targeted financial support for students enrolled in accredited health education and professional health programs, across academic levels from undergraduate to postgraduate. The program emphasizes preparing clinicians and health professionals who will serve Indigenous communities.

Key takeaways
- AIMS is administered by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA).
- Supports students pursuing healthcare degrees (undergraduate through postgraduate).
- Open to applicants from Native American, Alaskan Native, and Hawaiian Native backgrounds.

History of the award
**Origins and development**
AIMS originated as one of NSCDA’s earliest education initiatives. In 1928 the Pennsylvania Society funded nursing scholarships for two Native American women who lacked the funds to attend nursing school; those scholars agreed to return home to serve their communities. Over the decades the program expanded beyond nursing to support a broader range of health professions.

Key takeaways
- Founded as an NSCDA educational project; documented activity since 1928.
- Early program focused on nursing with community service expectations.
- Program scope expanded over time to include multiple health disciplines.

Eligibility
**Who can apply**
Applicants must be enrolled in a tribe or village, or be able to document direct tribal ancestry, and identify as American Indian, Alaskan Native, or Hawaiian Native. Candidates must be pursuing a healthcare-focused career, demonstrate financial need, and be enrolled in an accredited school or program (or be in the last semester of high school or have equivalent education). Acceptable academic statuses include current undergraduate, postgraduate, or students in pre-nursing/pre-med pathways in good scholastic standing; applicants must also be expected to complete an associate degree within two years or a bachelor’s within four years of enrollment and provide a recommendation from a school official.

Key takeaways
- Tribal enrollment or verifiable tribal ancestry is required.
- Must be focused on healthcare-related study and demonstrate financial need.
- Education levels: high school graduate/last semester, undergraduate, or postgraduate; school recommendation required.
- Must be enrolled in an accredited program and in good academic standing.
- Expected graduation timelines: ~2 years for Associate’s, ~4 years for Bachelor’s.

Award value
**Funding details**
AIMS currently funds recipients at $1,500 per semester, with support available for up to eight semesters. The program presently awards 16 scholarships annually. Funding is delivered per semester to assist with tuition and education-related expenses during the approved period of study.

Key takeaways
- $1,500 awarded per semester.
- Funding available for up to eight semesters (maximum).
- Program currently funds 16 scholars each cycle.

Application timeline
**When to apply**
AIMS operates on application cycles; each cycle opens two months before its stated deadline. Applicants should prepare supporting documents (tribal enrollment/ancestry verification, school enrollment, transcripts, and recommendation letters) in advance so they are ready when the cycle opens.

Key takeaways
- Application windows open two months before each deadline.
- Prepare documentation (enrollment verification, transcripts, recommendation) ahead of opening.
- Confirm specific cycle deadlines with NSCDA/AIMS resources.

Current scholars and reach
**Geographic and academic distribution**
Current AIMS scholars are enrolled at 15 different schools across 11 states and pursue a wide range of health-related degrees, from collegiate nursing programs to postgraduate medical training. The distribution reflects the program’s national reach and its focus on educating practitioners across multiple health disciplines.

Key takeaways
- Scholars attend 15 schools in 11 states.
- Supported studies range from nursing degrees to postgraduate medical programs.
- Program reaches students nationally across multiple institutions.

Commitments and expectations
**Service commitment**
Historically and presently, AIMS has emphasized service to Indigenous communities: past recipients agreed to return and serve their native communities after graduation. This expectation remains a central value of the program, aligning scholarship support with community health outcomes and workforce needs.

Key takeaways
- Recipients are expected to serve Native communities post-training.
- Community service is a core program value rooted in the program’s origins.
- Service expectation links scholarship support to improved Indigenous healthcare access.