Healthcare Scholarship: American Dental Association (ADA) Foundation
Overview of the American Dental Association (ADA) Foundation Grants and Scholarships
The American Dental Association (ADA) Foundation awarded over 1 million dollars in various grants and scholarships in 2013. Among the ADA’s programs are two scholarship programs aimed at dental students and allied dental students.
For second-year dental students and underrepresented minority dental students, the ADA offers the Predoctoral Dental Student Scholarship Program and the Underrepresented Minority Dental Student Scholarship Program. In total, these scholarships have a value of $135,000, and 54 such scholarships are awarded. Each scholarship is worth up to $2,500. Both scholarships are merit-based and require an application, demonstrating the students’ academic excellence and commitment to dental study. The deadline for each scholarship is at the end of the calendar year. In 2014, the deadline is December 9th. The ADA Foundation accepts only one scholarship application per program, per dental school, and the application must be submitted by the dental school on the student’s behalf.
For students in allied dental programs, including dental hygiene, dental assisting or dental laboratory technology, the ADA also awards merit-based scholarships through the Allied Dental Student Scholarship Program. The program includes two “Young Dental Hygiene Scholarships”, valued at $2,500, as well as 15 dental hygiene scholarships, 10 dental assisting scholarships and five dental laboratory technology scholarships, all valued at $1,000 each. Applicants must have completed at least one semester of the relevant program and have at least one semester of study remaining at the time the scholarship is awarded. The deadline for these programs is in the spring; in 2014, the 2014 deadline was March 14th. As for the Dental Student Scholarship Programs, the ADA will only consider one applicant per school, per program, and the application must be submitted by the school on the student’s behalf.
In order to qualify for any of the ADA Foundation scholarships, applicants must be U.S. citizens. They must be currently enrolled as full-time students in a relevant dental or allied dental program that is accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation. The applicant must also demonstrate a grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, and must demonstrate financial need corresponding to the amount of the scholarship. Finally, at least two reference forms must be filled out by relevant professors or academic advisors and submitted with the application form.
