
Would you prefer to pay for your Masters of Health Administration (MHA) degree through scholarships? Scholarships differ than grants in that many scholarships expect students to meet certain criteria after the funds have been dispersed. Minimum GPA (grade point average) is expected along with a required number of hours in classes within a given time period. But, scholarships are numerous and they come from just as many different sources. Graduate students may find funding opportunities in unexpected places without undue demands upon the student’s time or efforts after achieving those funds. Additionally, the reward is that these funds do not need to be repaid.
Graduate students who seek scholarships to fund their MHA may find funding opportunities at the same links as listed for grants. These include professional organizations within the health care field such as the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) and the Foundation of Research and Education of AHIMA. While these funds usually are based upon merit and proof of a high grade point average, some scholarships may offer money for those who are in need. In addition, you might seek scholarships from your alma mater, as many schools – including their national and fraternal organizations – often extend valuable funds to their alumni or members at every degree level.
Graduate students also can seek scholarships through the same student-specific, degree-specific resources as undergraduate students. Women can find scholarships from organizations that promote higher education for women, and disabled students may find help through local, regional and national clearinghouses for advanced degree funding. You might also look for scholarships that are geared toward business students, as you are about to embark on a path that includes business and administrative studies. Finally, many scholarships are geared specifically to the graduate-level student.
Look online for college-specific blogs or Web sites that contain funding opportunities for graduate students. Many of these scholarships are ‘disguised’ as fellowships, or monetary awards connected to working in a specific field at the graduate or post-graduate level. Fellowships allow graduate students to complete extra training in the field or to have money to continue research while receiving a stipend that is slightly above living wage for a given period of time. Although internships often don’t supply a stipend, they can provide valuable hands-on experiences for the graduate student as well. Many private and public institutions offer fellowships, which may allow you to complete training, an internship or research without devoting time to working outside the health care field or resorting to loans to support the final stages of your education.
No matter whether you apply for scholarships, this source of college funding can help you reach your career goals in the health administration field. These funds may help you graduate with less debt, which provides a great opportunity to enjoy your new career and your new salary. With the demand for advanced-level degree administrative students growing, you can rest assured that the time and effort you put into this process can pay off upon graduation.
To become a health administrator or manager, a master's degree is usually required. Some of the most popular types of health degrees include the Master of Health Administration (MHA), the Master of Public Health (MPH), and the MBA in healthcare management. Below is a carefully compiled list of accredited institutions offering such programs to help you meet your career goals.