SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS
The Congress created the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) Program under the Disadvantaged Minority Health Improvement Act of 1990 (Public Law (P.L) 101-527), which was enacted November 6, 1990 and appears in Section 760 of the Public Health Service Act. Section 101 (a) of P.L.105-392, the Health Professions Education Partnership Act of 1998, signed into law on November 13, 1998, inserts new SDS authority at Section 737 of the PHS Act. The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to disadvantaged health professions and nursing students.
Institutions apply for SDS funds from the Department of Health and Human Services and are responsible for both selecting eligible recipients and determining their financial need. At least sixteen percent of total allocations go to schools that will direct SDS awards to nursing students.
SDS funds awarded to schools must be used to award full or partial scholarships to eligible students enrolled full-time for tuition expenses, other reasonable educational expenses, and reasonable living expenses.
The remainder of the narrative provides more details on eligibility and administrative requirements.
