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
    Associate Degree Programs (ASSOC)
    available at 2-year community colleges and some 4-year colleges
      • Dental Hygiene
      • Dietetics/Nutrition
      • Massage Therapy
      • Occupational Therapy Assistant
      • Ophthalmic Dispensing
      • Physical Therapy Assistant
      • Registered Physician Assistant
      • Veterinary Technician

    Baccalaureate Degree Programs (BA)
    available at 4-year colleges only (no community colleges)
      • Architecture
      • Athletic Trainer
      • Certified Public Accountancy
      • Dietetics/Nutrition
      • Interior Design
      • Landscape Architecture
      • Occupational Therapy
      • Pharmacy
      • Physical Therapy
      • Professional Engineering
      • Registered Nurse
      • Registered Physician Assistant
      • Veterinary Technician

    Master's Degree Programs (MA)
    graduate programs (beyond the 4-year baccalaureate degree)
      • Acupuncture
      • Architecture
      • Audiology
      • Landscape Architecture
      • Midwifery
      • Nurse Practitioner
      • Occupational Therapy
      • Physical Therapy
      • Registered Physician Assistant
      • Social Work
      • Speech Language Pathology

    Doctoral Degree Programs (Dr./Ph.D./PharmD.)
    graduate programs (beyond the master's degree level)
      • Chiropractic
      • Optometry
      • Pharmacy
      • Podiatry
      • Psychology
      • Veterinary Medicine

    Doctor of Law (JD)
    law degree program (after completion of a baccalaureate degree)
      • Law

Amount

Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 per year for up to 4 years of study or up to 5 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 non-citizens.

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 1 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 1 year of program completion, s/he 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