NYS Regents Professional Opportunity Scholarship

Office of Student Accounts

New York State Regents
Professional Opportunity Scholarships

Students pursuing a career in one of several professions may be eligible to apply for the New York State Regents Professional Opportunity Scholarships.

ELIGIBLE PROGRAMS OF STUDY

Accounting (BA)
Acupunture (MA)
Architecture (MA)
Athletic Trainer (BA)
Chiropractic (DR)
Dental Hygiene (AS)
Engineering (BA)
Interior Design (BA)
Lanscape Architecture (BA, MA)
Law (JD)
Massage Therapy (AS)
Midwifery (MA)
Nursing (BA)
Occupational Therapy (BA, MA)
Ophthalmic Dispensing (AS)
Optometry (DR)
Pharmacy (BA)
Physical Therapy (BA, MA)
Physical Therapy Assistant (AS)
Podiatry (DPM)
Psychology (Ph.D.)
Speech Language Pathology/Audiology (MA)
Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Veterinary Technology (AS, BA)

AMOUNT

Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 per year for up to four years of study or up to five years in certain programs. Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate or graduate students, depending on the program.

ELIGIBILITY

Students must:

Study full time and be matriculated in an approved program of study in New York state.
Be New York state residents.
Be U.S. citizens or qualifying noncitizens.

SELECTION IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING PRIORITIES

Those who are economically disadvantaged and who are members of a minority group that is historically underrepresented in the chosen profession.
Those who are members of a minority group historically underrepresented in the chosen profession.
Those enrolled in or graduated from the following opportunity programs: SEEK, College Discovery, EOP, or HEOP.

SERVICE OBLIGATION

Upon completion of study, the student must work as a licensed professional one year for each annual payment received. Employment must be in the studied profession and must be in New York state. If the student does not begin practice within one year of program completion, he/she will be required to repay twice the amount of all scholarship monies received plus interest.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply by requesting an application and further information from:

          NYS Education Department
          Bureau of HEOP/VATEA/Scholarships
          Education Building Addition
          Room 1071
          Albany, NY 12234
          Phone: (518) 486-1319

For more information on other state and federal student financial aid programs (loans, grants, and scholarships) for full-time, part-time, graduate, or undergraduate study, write to the address listed below.

DISABILITY

If a disability prevents attendance at college full time, you may still be able to get financial aid. See the college financial aid administrator.

Additional information can be obtained by writing to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) at 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12255, or calling (888) NYSHESC. Access the Web at www.hesc.com.