Scholarship Opportunities
Clinical Initiatives Scholarship Opportunities
Southcentral Foundation is committed to employing fully qualified employees in all positions and increasing the number of Alaska Native and American Indian individuals in all job categories. To support this initiative, SCF offers Clinical Initiatives scholarship opportunities for Alaska Native and American Indian people who are interested in the following careers:
MEDICAL ASSISTANT
NURSING
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
DENTAL
GENERAL
Medical Assistant Scholarship Program
Ready to start your Medical Assistant journey? Apply for SCF’s scholarship and attend a training program, with flexible evening and daytime class schedules available.
Medical Assistant (MA)
Medical assistants work on an integrated care team with a full-time provider, registered nurse case manager, and case management support. They assist with the care and treatment of customer-owners in both clinical and administrative settings to improve provider productivity and customer-owner access. Throughout this program, the SCF Development Center will provide mentorship and facilitate a Skills Friday training program every fourth Friday of the month for a total of nine sessions. Medical assistant scholarship applications are open continuously.
There are two learning tracks available:
| Evening Classes | Day Classes | |
| Class schedule | Hours: 6 p.m.-10:05 p.m. Monday-Thursday +SCF Skills Friday 1day/month | Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday +SCF Skills Friday 1 day/month |
| Length of program | 14 months | 9 months |
| Length of service obligation | 1 year from date of hire | 3 years from date of hire |
| Scholarship Amount | Costs and fees associated with the program will be covered by the SCF Scholarship Program | Costs and fees associated with the program will be covered by the SCF Scholarship Program |
| Stipend Amount | N/A | $1,500 a month |
Upon completion of classroom training and passing a certification examination, SCF will host scholarship recipients for their clinical externships.
Qualifications
- 18+ years old
- Alaska Native or American Indian descent, must provide Certificate of Indian Blood or Bureau of Indian Affairs Card
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Must pass SCF background check
Nursing
SCF offers Clinical Initiatives funding opportunities to individuals interested in nursing who are accepted to a pre-nursing program, an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.
Five types of scholarship awards will be available:
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – available to individuals in rural areas: 1 year.
- Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS): 2 years.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): 4 years
- Accelerated Nursing Programs – opportunities available to entry-level non-nurses who hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing major. Both BSN and MSN degrees are available through accelerated programs. To qualify, prospective students must have at least a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing major.
Qualifications
- 18+ years old
- Alaska Native or American Indian descent, must provide Certificate of Indian Blood or Bureau of Indian Affairs Card
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Minimum GPA 2.0 or higher
- SCF background check
- Enrolled in an accredited LPN, associate, bachelor’s, or master’s program
Behavioral Health Careers
Behavioral health professionals participate in relationship-based care to offer a variety of services and promote wellness.
SCF offers Clinical Initiatives funding opportunities to individuals pursuing a career in behavioral health who have been accepted into an academic program for one of the following certifications or degrees:
- Paraprofessional Training and Certifications
- Associate of Art or Science (AA/AS) in human services or a related field: 2 years.
- Bachelor of Arts or Science (BA/BS) in social work, counseling, or a similar degree from an accredited program: 4 years.
- Master of Arts or Science (MA/MS) in psychology, social work, human services, or other appropriate fields from an accredited program. — 2 to 3 years after BA/BS.
SCF supports creating pathways to advancement to more senior clinical positions. Certifications will also be supported for training and specialization in chemical dependency counseling, intensive case management, behavioral health case management, and behavioral health aide training.
Qualifications
- 18+ years old
- Alaska Native or American Indian descent, must provide Certificate of Indian Blood or Bureau of Indian Affairs Card
- High school diploma or Equivalent
- Minimum GPA 2.0 or higher
- SCF background check
- Enrolled in an accredited associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s program
Dental Careers
Dental Health Aide Therapists (DHAT)
Dental health aide therapists provide professional and culturally competent dental care and prevention services to rural Alaska and improving access to dental care for Alaska Native people.
The Alaska Dental Therapy Educational Program is offered by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) in partnership with Ilisagvik Tribal College. DHAT students complete a two-year program with ANTHC and Ilisagvik College, then complete 400 hours of preceptorship with a supervising dentist at SCF. The first year (pre-clinical and didactic) is completed in Anchorage, and the second year (clinical) is completed in Bethel, AK. Preceptorship Completion of the program and preceptorship results in an associate degree eligibility to apply for their certification through the Alaska Community Health Aide Program Certification Board (CHAPCB).
Applications are now open for the Southcentral Foundation Dental Health Aide Therapist (DHAT) Scholarship opportunity. Upon completion of the DHAT training program with ANTHC and Ilisagvik, and preceptorship hours with Southcentral Foundation, the DHAT student will be eligible to apply for a DHAT position within one of SCF’s Dental clinics.
| Day Classes | |
| Class schedule | Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday: additional hours may be required by course |
| Length of program | 12 months in Anchorage and then 12 months in Bethel |
| Length of service obligation | 3 years from date of hire as a DHAT |
| Scholarship Amount | All costs and fees associated with the program will be covered by the SCF Scholarship Program |
| Stipend Amount | $1,500 per month |
| Rent Amount | Up to $1,500 per month in Anchorage/up to $2400 per month in Bethel |
| Travel Amount | Will include initial travel to Bethel, travel to Anchorage from Bethel and back to Bethel for Christmas, and travel from Bethel to Anchorage upon completion of the program |
Qualifications
- 18+ years old
- Alaska Native or American Indian descent, must provide Certificate of Indian Blood or Bureau of Indian Affairs Card
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Minimum GPA 2.0 or higher
- SCF background check
General Scholarship
Available for current Southcentral Foundation (SCF) employees only.
Southcentral Foundation is committed to providing funding opportunities for current Southcentral Foundation who are pursuing their education in nonclinical careers.
Qualifications
- Alaska Native or American Indian descent, must provide Certificate of Indian Blood or Bureau of Indian Affairs Card
- Current SCF regular full-time Alaska Native or American Indian employee who is scheduled to work 32 hours or more per week on a regular basis.
