Physician Assistant GRIT Scholarship

Academic Year 2021-2022. Scholarship for college Juniors, Seniors, or Post-Baccalaureate who are seeking a career as a physician assistant in a rural location that provides service to people who experience significant health disparities. Students receiving this award will receive a provisional offer of admission to the ISU Physician Assistant Studies program under the early assurance program. Formal acceptance to the ISU Physician Assistant Studies program is contingent upon completion of the post-acceptance requirements. Note: All application information should be completed as indicated. Supplemental information that is requested must be submitted (as indicated in the application) by the scholarship deadline.

Eligibility Requirements
Idaho State University student who meets the following eligibility requirements:
a. Idaho State University students who have completed a minimum of 24 credits at ISU. Applicants may be enrolled in any degree granting program and be on track towards completing prerequisite coursework as defined in the ISU Academic Catalog for admittance in the Physician Assistant Studies Program. Award is $2,500 per year (for Post-Bach; award amount varies).
b. Students that have registered with the Office of Pre-Health Profession Advising as a pre-PA student
c . Student with a cumulative minimum grade point average of 2.5 and grades of B or better in any pre-PA coursework taken prior to scholarship application. Pre-requisite retakes are allowed.

Ideal candidates for this award include:
a. Applicants who: (a) are first generation college students, (b) are active duty or veterans of the United States Armed Services, © applicants who attended a rural high school (d) are employed or have family members who are employed in the agricultural industry, especially seasonal or migrant workers, (e) represent underrepresented populations in the Physician Assistant Profession as defined by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants.
b. Applicants who possess the requisite competencies to serve people who experience significant health disparities, including:
• Language fluency to provide medical services in languages other than English (e.g., Spanish, Shoshone, Nez Perce). Ideal proficiency would be at an intermediate level or above. Intermediate speakers can narrate and describe in the present, past, and future. Intermediate speakers can also produce paragraph length discourse.
• Deep experiential understanding of cultural morays (e.g., biculturalism or multiculturalism) of a specific group that experiences health disparities.
• Demonstrated self-awareness about self as a cultural being and how the applicant’s cultural beliefs, values, and practices may impact medical services provision.
• Demonstrated understanding of health beliefs and health practices of a specific group that experiences health disparities.
• Demonstrated skills in navigating interpersonal exchanges with that specific group.
c . Applicants who demonstrate intent to work as primary health providers in a rural or health disparity community upon completion of the Physician Assistant Studies program.
d. Applicants who demonstrate financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship.
e. Applicants with relevant school activities, community service, and work experiences that prepare them provide medical services to rural and/or health disparity populations.
Selection and Selection Committee:
The scholarship selection committee operates from within the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. The committee will select and designate the scholarship recipients in accordance with the University’s student financial aid procedures and the eligibility requirements.

Applicants should have access to the following to apply:
High school GPA
Unofficial undergraduate transcript
Ability to demonstrate fluency in a language other than English through video or ACTFL OPI rating
Letter(s) of reference
CV or resume
For questions or additional information, please visit www.isu.edu/grit

Award
Varies
Deadline
06/01/2021
Supplemental Questions
  1. I understand that in applying for the Grit Scholarship I am confirming my strong desire and interest to be admitted to the Physician Assistant Studies program at ISU.
  2. QUESTION SET 1: Please answer the following questions:
    • 1. Are you registered with the Office of Pre-Health Professions Advising as pre-PA student?
    • 2. Have you maintained a grade of "B" or better in any pre-PA coursework taken prior to scholarship applications. Pre-Requisite retakes are allowed:
    • 3. Provide your "unweighted" High School GPA
    • 4. Did you regularly work 10 or more hours a week while attending high school?
    • 5. Do you regularly work 10 or more hours a week while pursuing a bachelor’s degree?
    • 6. Do you certify that it is your intent to provide healthcare service in a rural community upon completion of the ISU Physician Assistant Studies program
    • 7. Do you or members of your family work in the agricultural industry? Put NA (not applicable in box below) OR if you, or family members work in agricultural industry provide relationship, position, and employer.
  3. QUESTION SET 2: Additional "preference" questions
    • Additional Preferences. Please check all that apply:
  4. QUESTION SET 3: Questions on serving people who experience significant health disparities:
    • 1. Do you have relevant school activities, community service, and work experiences that have prepared you to provide medical services to rural and/or health disparity populations? If so, are those reflected in your resume?
    • 2. Language Fluency. Do you speak a language other than English (e.g., Spanish, Shoshone, Nez Perce, etc.)?
    • 3. If "yes", what language: Put NA (if not applicable)
    • 4. If you speak another language, how well do you speak it? Please describe your level of fluency: Put NA (if not applicable).
  5. Please upload an unofficial undergraduate transcript.
  6. Please request ONE to TWO Letter(s) of Reference (at least one is required). These letters cannot be from a family member or member of the clergy. The letter should speak to your dedication to the community, persevering character, intent on becoming a primary healthcare provider in a rural or underserved area, commitment to work with populations that experience health disparities. You are responsible for ensuring references are submitted by the required deadline. An e-mail will be submitted to your reference contact with instruction on what to include and how to submit the letter. This letter(s) is confidential. You can see if letter(s) were submitted by going to the "reference" section at the top of your BOSS home page.
    • Letter of Reference (One)
    • Letter of Reference (TWO)
  7. Attach a current CV / resume:
  8. STATEMENT: Provide an essay on the following: How would you describe your cultural background? How does your cultural background inform your world views? How does your cultural background inform your health beliefs, and health practices?. Be as complete as possible. 200-500 words is sufficient.
  9. Submit a 3-minute (or shorter) video addressing the following TWO topics: GRIT/Perseverance AND Social Justice: 1. Grit/Perseverance: Tell us about a time in which you persevered and what kept you going. What happened? How did you show perseverance? What was the result of your perseverance? 2. Social justice: How do you define social justice? Tell us about an action that you took to advance social justice that you are proud of. Please rename your video file and upload this video to https://isu.app.box.com/f/a101c6547164483a82ea842864e2e8a1. If you have any questions, email Valentin Garcia (valentingarcia@isu.edu).
  10. Submit a 3- 5 minute video in a language of your choice (not English). 1. Tell us where you grew up, who was in your family, and what some typical activities were in your day. Feel free to provide detail on some specific memories (e.g., a memorable celebration, a funny story, a special family relationship that shaped you) 2. If you have an ACTFL OPI rating, you may submit that in lieu of the video. Please rename your video file and upload this video or indication of ACTFL OPI rating to https://isu.app.box.com/f/a101c6547164483a82ea842864e2e8a1. If you have any questions, email Valentin Garcia (valentingarcia@isu.edu).
  11. Interview Process: Selected applicants will be invited to a 15-20 minute interview with representatives from the selection committee. Each applicant will be asked the following questions: 1. What is a health disparity population that you have a deep cultural understanding of? Please name the health disparity population (even if it is the same as yours), and describe your experiences with this group, paying particular attention to describing your understanding of the beliefs, values, and practices of members of this group. 2. What skills do you have in working with the health disparity population that you have a deep cultural understanding of? Please provide information that would indicate specific skills that you have. The health disparity population may be one that you feel you belong to or may be a group with whom you have cross-cultural interactions. We are interested in your specific skills that might point to readiness to provide medical services to this health disparity population.
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