School of Public Health scholarships
There are numerous scholarships available to qualified School of Public Health undergraduate and graduate students to help with the cost of completing a degree program. Some scholarships are donor funded, some from differential fees, and others you must pursue outside the University system.
For general information about scholarships and financial aid, refer to the University's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Internal scholarships
To apply for internal scholarships, students must complete the General Scholarship application through MyNevada as well as the FAFSA. This will help the school and the university assess need. The School of Public Health awards both donor funded and differential fee scholarships through this process.
Scholarship amounts range from hundreds to thousands of dollars each year. Donor funded scholarships also vary by criteria, amount of funding, and number of students who receive each scholarship.
An asterisk (*) denotes that the scholarship amount as well as the number of recipients of each scholarship may vary.
Anita L. Janssen Memorial Scholarship
- Award: $1,000
- Need Required: No
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above
- Enrolled semester credits: 12 or above
- Other criteria:
- Support female students
- Support students interested in sports conditioning, teaching, or working with people with disabilities
Dr. Art & Elaine Broten Scholarship
- Award: $400
- Need Required: No
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above
- Enrolled semester credits: 12 or above
- Other criteria:
- Would like to award an outstanding student committed to physical health and wellness
Lilliana E. Trinchero Scholarship
- Award: $1,000
- Need Required: Yes
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above
- Enrolled semester credits: 12 or above
- Other criteria:
- Support students who intend to pursue a career in physical therapy and graduated from a Nevada high school
Olena K. Rougeau Scholarship
- Award: $1,000
- Need Required: No
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above
- Enrolled semester credits: 12 or above for undergraduate students and 9 or above for graduate students
- Other criteria:
- Student demonstrates an interest in working with school-aged children, particularly in the field of physical education.
Dr. Marshall L. Jacks Scholarship
- Award: $500
- Need Required: Yes
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above
- Enrolled semester credits: 12 or above
- Other criteria:
- Support students who are active in community service
Matthew R. Wolden Scholarship
- Award: $145
- Need Required: Yes
- Cumulative GPA: 2.75 or above
- Enrolled semester credits: 12 or above
- Other criteria:
- Support students from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds
School of Public Health Advisory Board Annual Scholarship
- Award: $1,300
- Need Required: Yes
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above
- Enrolled semester credits: 9 or above
- Other criteria:
- Support students who are current Nevada residents, and are from diverse backgrounds
School of Public Health General Scholarship
- Award: $5,100*
- Need Required: No
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above
- Enrollment status: full/part-time
Dena Kruse Memorial Scholarship
- Award: $1,000
- Need Required: No
- Cumulative GPA: 2.7 for undergraduates and 3.0 for graduates
- Enrolled semester credits: 6 or above
- Other criteria:
- Must be a student pursuing public health
International Development Missions Scholarship
- Award: $1,000
- Need Required: No
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above
- Enrollment status: full/part-time
- Other criteria:
- Supports students who demonstrate an interest in enhancing the health and quality of life of people in low to middle income countries through their coursework and community
M. Kay Holjes Scholarship
- Award: $900
- Need Required: Yes
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above
- Enrolled semester credits: 12 or above for undergraduates and 9 and above for graduates
- Other criteria:
- Undergraduate juniors/seniors or a Master of Public Health student
- Supports students who are interested in working in areas that enhance independence of people with disabilities and the inclusion of people with disabilities into the fabric of community life
Myles Family Scholarship
- Award: $4,000*
- Need Required: No
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above
- Enrollment status: full/part-time
- Other criteria:
- Support Registered Nurses who wish to enter the public health field
- Support students who are Native American/American Indian
- Support students who have graduated from northern Nevada, Plumas, Sierra, Lassen, or Nevada County high schools
Reed Bingham Scholarship
- Award: $1,100
- Need Required: No
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above
- Enrolled semester credits: 15 or more for undergraduates and 9 or more for graduates
REMSA/Care Flight Scholarship
- Award: $1,000
- Need Required: No
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above
- Enrollment Status: full/part-time
- Other criteria:
- Support a student who is pursuing public health
School of Public Health Faculty & Staff Scholarship
- Award: $2,000
- Need Required: No
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above
- Enrollment Status: full/part-time
- Other criteria:
- Support School of Public Health students in the odd years and CASAT students in the even years
Washoe County District Board of Health Scholarship
- Award: $1,000
- Need Required: No
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above
- Enrollment Status: full/part-time
- Other criteria:
- Student is from a Nevada or northern California county adjoining Nevada
Dr. Charles Ross Pre-Medical Student Scholarship
- Award: $800
- Need Required: No
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above
- Enrolled semester credits: 12 or above
- Other criteria:
- Support students who are School of Public Health or part of a Bachelor of Science/Medical Doctor program
- Student demonstrates involvement in the political process
- Student graduated from a Nevada public high school
Nevada Public Health Foundation Scholarship
- Award: $1,000
- Need Required: Yes
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above
- Enrollment status: full/part-time
- Other criteria:
- Support junior or senior undergraduate students only
- Support students who demonstrate the drive to become a leader in public health
Other funding opportunities
These scholarships and funding opportunities require different mechanisms of application and have various deadlines. Be sure to visit their websites to determine eligibility and how to apply.
The Graduate Dean's Fellowship supports incoming domestic and international doctoral students in any approved University of Nevada, Reno doctoral program (Ph.D. or doctorate). There is a maximum of six one-year fellowships in the amount of $35,000 per academic year.
The Graduate Dean's Merit Scholarships supports both domestic and international master’s and doctoral students in any approved University of Nevada, Reno graduate program. The amount of the one-year scholarship is $10,000 for newly admitted graduate students or $5,000 for continuing graduate students per academic year. Applicants must be nominated by the Director of Graduate Studies.
The SPH offers both teaching (GTA) and research (GRA) assistantships. The number of assistantships vary based on the number of research grants and budgets.
Students cannot qualify for graduate assistantships within the School of Public Health until they are admitted into one or our graduate programs. Once admitted, students will receive an application to show interest. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and must be continuously enrolled in at least 6 graduate-level credits. Ph.D. students are prioritized for these positions.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) allows master's, graduate certificate, and doctoral students who are residents of WICHE member states to enroll in 800+ graduate programs at some 60 public institutions outside of their home state and pay up to 150 percent of resident tuition.
Graduate programs eligible for the WRGP program at the University of Nevada, Reno include Chemical Physics, Hydrologic Sciences, Public Health, and Social Psychology.
The University of Nevada, Reno is a proud participant in WUE, which allows students from participating states and territories to pay only 150% of our standard Nevada resident tuition.
Students who do not qualify for WUE may be eligible for Nevada Advantage, a scholarship program available only at the University of Nevada, Reno.
External funding opportunities
These scholarships are provided outside of the University system. Visit their websites for full details, including application dates, requirements and more.
Each year, the Nevada Women's Fund (NWF) awards education scholarships to women in Northern Nevada. To be eligible for NWF awards, applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The applicant must also currently reside and be pursing higher learning in Northern Nevada.
Soroptimist International of Truckee Meadows (SITM) offers a variety of scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students, including the Dreams Moving Forward Scholarship, Live Your Dream Award, Youth Scholarship, Unsung Heroes and Soroptimist Ruby Award.
The Guttmacher Institute is pleased to announce the Cory L. Richards Memorial Scholarship to support emerging leaders in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights. The scholarship honors the legacy of Cory L. Richards, a member of the Guttmacher Institute staff for nearly four decades whose passion for mentorship and commitment to developing new leaders benefited countless individuals in the field. The scholarship aims to nurture the development of future leaders by providing financial support to students seeking Masters degrees in the fields of public health or public policy who plan to devote their careers to advancing public policy related to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Each year, Honey Lake Hospice sponsors a deserving student by awarding a monetary scholarship. This student must be able to describe their interest in a field related to hospice and palliative care. The applicant should have an interest in gerontology, oncology and/or hospice and palliative care and be able to express that interest in an essay.
Student development awards
Student development awards will not defray the cost of your tuition; however, they will help you offset the costs associated with research, projects, and internship opportunities. Below are some great opportunities to consider.
The AAPHP Public Health Practice Award is a stipend that supports a student-led public health project. Scholarship awards range from $500-$1,000. This one-year part-time internship will provide experience in health communications and public health leadership.
The SPH Student Development Award supports student research, community-based projects, and career development activities relevant to the student’s success in their undergraduate or graduate program. Funds are contingent on the availability of differential fees and are to be used to support students and not faculty expenses, even if related to a student’s work.
Applications are reviewed by the Differential Fee Committee monthly on a first-come, first-served basis. This is an ongoing and evolving process and there is no specific deadline for each semester. The committee does not meet over winter break and meets less frequently over summer break.
The Western Region Public Health Training Center (WRPHTC) provides stipends to support public health and other health profession students conducting public health projects with public and non-profit organizations around the region through support from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Stipends are subsistence allowances for students to help defray living expenses during the training experience, and are not provided for other costs associated with their training program.
The total stipend provided is $3,500 per student, with 30 stipends available annually. $2,000 will be provided at the start of the project. The remaining $1,500 will be awarded at the project's completion when all reports are provided and a video presentation summarizing the project is uploaded onto the WRPHTC website. These funds may be taxable for U.S. citizens. Applicants will receive an IRS 1099 form from the University of Arizona.
Visit the University of Arizona's WRPHTC website
Student eligibility
- Undergraduate juniors or seniors, graduate or doctoral students pursuing degrees in a health profession (e.g., public health, psychology, sociology and social work).
- Students must be enrolled at a university throughout the course of the student project (students that have already graduated from their program will not be considered).
- Students must be a U.S. citizen, a non-citizen U.S. national or from the Pacific Freely Associated States, or a foreign national having in his or her possession a visa permitting permanent residence in the U.S. Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible to receive these stipends.
- Student enrolled at schools in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, or U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands will be given preference.
The LaunchNevada award provides up to $500 to help fund students' innovative ideas. Any full-time UNR student or student team with a business concept may apply for the award.
The Ozmen Institute for Global Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno, in collaboration with the Graduate School, the Graduate Student Association (GSA) and the Office of the Provost have jointly provided and allocated special funds to enhance and promote international research activities for graduate students in different disciplines on campus. The grant program gives special consideration to interdisciplinary proposals of up to $2,000 which produce meaningful results that contribute to the research and outreach mission of the Ozmen Institute for Global Studies at the university.
Learn more about the Global Studies Graduate Student Research Grant
The Graduate Student Association (GSA) offers assistance for graduate students through over $90,000 in scholarships, awards, and grants. This includes need-based services such as children’s assistance, computer loans, financial crisis grants and international student support. Additionally, they also provide travel grants up to $500 to help students present papers and participate in conferences.
Learn more about GSA services and funding
In addition, the Associated Students of the University of Nevada (ASUN) provides assistance and services for undergraduate students. They award over $150,000 in scholarships each year. They also have programs to help students with childcare, transportation, and food security.
The Pack Internship Grant Program provides funding for 50+ individual student internships with local start-up businesses, non-profits, and public/government agencies. The program enables local organizations to host paid internships for undergraduate students, offering real-world learning opportunities. Participating students will get first-hand experience in a field of interest, giving them the opportunity to apply their skills in a professional environment. Additionally, this is a great way for students to build or expand their professional network. Students are provided wages at $12/hour for 120 hours of internship work.