The field of public health aims to promote wellness, encourage healthy behaviors, understand community health challenges and facilitate health and wellness programs. Bachelor’s in public health programs focus on providing students the skills they may need to work with government agencies, nonprofits or private organizations. Students interested in pursuing a career in this rewarding field may first want to explore public health scholarships and grants.

Public health degree tuition varies based on a number of factors, just like any other degree program. For example, in-state resident tuition is generally less than non-resident tuition. Public institutions tend to cost less to attend than their private counterparts. Additionally, the various levels of degree programs, from bachelor’s through doctoral, all have different tuition rates. For this reason, it may be difficult to pinpoint the tuition for individuals majoring in public health.

However, according to U.S. News, the average general tuition for an online bachelor’s degree program ranges from $38,000 to $61,000. This is the cost for the complete program, and it will vary depending on factors such as your resident status and if you attend a public or private university. The time to complete the program also may factor into the overall cost. This means you may expect to pay within this range for your degree if you complete it during the expected time frame. 

Students who major in public health may apply for grants to help reduce the overall cost of tuition. There are a range of grants for public health students from private and public organizations to consider, including those offered by educational institutions themselves.

Here are a few public health degree grants you may want to explore:

The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH): ASPPH works to help people who want careers as public health professionals by providing access to mentored, practical experiences in the field. This includes offering stipends from $43,000 to $52,000 a year, depending on the educational body and agency involved. 

UCLA Public Health Scholars Training Program: This program includes multiple grants that aim to provide students from minority demographics assistance, including the UC-HBCU Initiative, which seeks to improve diversity and strengthen UC graduate programs by investing in relationships between UC faculty and historically Black colleges and universities, and The California Endowment, which provides supplemental funding for undocumented students. These grants provide funding assistance and access to real-world training in the field. The goal of these programs is to help create a more diverse and well-trained public health workforce. 

Though not specific to public health, Federal Pell Grants are available to undergraduate students who have notable financial need and who haven’t yet graduated with a postsecondary degree. The maximum award for the 2021–22 school year was $6,495, but award amounts change each year. To apply, submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).

A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a school-administered grant between $100 and $4,000 per year. It is provided to undergraduate students with notable financial need. Contact your school’s financial aid office to see if they offer this type of grant and if you qualify.

Additionally, educational organizations also sometimes offer grants for students attending their programs. For this reason, it pays to regularly check with institutions you’re interested in applying to for updated grant and scholarship information.

There are scholarships for public health students who may need assistance to fund their education. Each scholarship program has its own list of eligibility requirements, which may include specific demographics, areas of focus, certain institutions and geographic locations. 

The following are undergraduate public health scholarships you might consider: 

AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability: As with many public health degree scholarships, this is open to a specific demographic, which is students with disabilities who are studying public health, disability studies, health promotion or related fields. The maximum amount is $1,000, and it is open to undergraduate and graduate students who meet all other eligibility requirements. 

ACMPE Scholarship Fund Inc.: These scholarships are open to students studying medical practice management and public health. The scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000 and are open to undergraduate- and graduate-level students who meet all other eligibility requirements. 

C. Sylvia and Eddie C. Brown Community Health Scholarship Program: This is a scholarship open to students who want to work to improve the public health of low-income and other underserved populations in Baltimore and other cities. It is open to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health students. There is no separate application process for the Brown Scholarship. All African American applicants who are U.S. citizens and who are accepted to a PhD program at the Bloomberg School are considered for nomination. 

Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA): HOSA is an organization for future health professionals. They have scholarships available for students looking to pursue a career in the field of public health. Scholarships are available in various amounts and are open to undergraduates and graduates, but students must be a member of HOSA and join Tallo, an online networking platform, to apply. 

Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF): This is a scholarship program open to students of Hispanic heritage who want to pursue a degree in several areas, including STEM majors and public health. The award amounts vary from $500 to $5,000 and are based on merit and need. Students must be planning on attending school full time at an accredited four-year institution. 

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation: The Truman Foundation was set up as a memorial to President Truman and was founded in 1975. They have multiple scholarships available, including ones for undergraduates in their junior year of study in a variety of public service fields, including public health. The awards range up to $30,000 for qualified applicants.

Last updated April 2022