Who is eligible?
Clinical year physician assistant students in the physician assistant studies program (MHS) at West Virginia University School of Medicine who intend to practice in West Virginia.
Selected students will receive a $25,000 scholarship in exchange for a 12-month commitment for full-time work in a rural area of West Virginia.
Obligation to Practice in West Virginia
Students who are awarded a scholarship must sign a contract and practice full-time (40 hours per week) for a minimum of one year at an eligible site.
Geographic areas which are eligible for the service obligation may be found using the HRSA Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer.
Students are responsible for locating an eligible practice site. The penalty for not fulfilling the service obligation is repayment of the scholarship with interest.
HRSA Grants Eligibility Analyzer
Submission Guidelines
Scholarship application packets include student application, two recommendation forms and Certification of Education Status.
The 2025-2026 scholarship application deadline is December 12, 2025.
Eligibility for Other Financial Incentives
Students who are awarded a Physician Assistant Rural Health Scholarship also may qualify for other financial incentives for rural practice in West Virginia.
In some cases, the service obligations can be met concurrently.
It is the responsibility of the student to determine if service obligations may be met concurrently.
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April L. Vestal, MPH
- Position
- Director, WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health, Institute for Community and Rural Health
- Organization
- West Virginia University
Jennifer Momen, MD, MPH, FAAP
- Position
- Associate Professor, Program Director, Human Performance - Physician Assistant Studies
- Organization
- West Virginia University