Many BCHS doctoral students receive some type of financial aid in the form of student loans, full or partial scholarships, fellowships, student hourly jobs, or assistantships.
Many BCHS master’s students receive some type of financial aid in the form of student loans, partial scholarships, external fellowships, or student hourly jobs. Master’s students are not eligible to receive fully funded positions, such as research assistantships or teaching assistantships.
While funding is not guaranteed for every student, Pitt Public Health provided more than $5 million in financial aid last year. Check the school-level tuition and financial aid overview to review options for financing your degree, then contact your department for more information.
Coverdell Fellows Program
Pitt Public Health invites Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) to apply for the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program, which provides financial support towards a Master of Public Health (MPH) or Master of Science (MS) degree as well as experience working with local underserved communities.
Coverdell Fellows receive a 50 percent tuition & fees scholarship for up to four academic terms of study at Pitt Public Health. If you're interested in pursuing an MPH or MS degree, simply check the RPCV box on your SOPHAS application!
BCHS Departmental Scholarships
Four scholarships are available to students enrolled in a degree program in the Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences. The department also makes awards from the BCHS Research Support Fund to provide financial assistance to students in the completion of their academic programs. The deadlines for the McAllister, Peterson, Ricci, and Silverman scholarships are October 1st and February 1st. The BCHS Research Support Award has a rolling deadline. Awards are dependent on available funding. Specific eligibility criteria for each award follows:
- Carol L. McCallister Student Resource Fund
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The McAllister Fund was established to honor Dr. Carol L. McAllister, cultural anthropologist, community activist and University of Pittsburgh faculty member. In all that she did, Dr. McAllister fought against social injustice and worked to make the lives of women and children better. She challenged herself, her colleagues and most of all, her students to exceed expectations and always to give voice to those who are not heard. Awards made from this scholarship fund will support students who want to carry on Dr. McAllister’s legacy.
Students must have a minimum 3.5 QPA at the time of application. Awards will be made to support work that is qualitative, ethnographic and community-based participatory in nature. Work should address one or more of the following content areas: maternal/child health, women and development, and social inequalities. Funding should be used for research related to the masters essay, masters thesis or doctoral dissertation.
Applications will be accepted twice per year: October 1st and February 1st.
Jonah McAllister will be involved in the award process and the reviewing committee reserves the right to make no award in the event that no application meets its standards.
- The Karen S. Peterson Memorial Research Award for Women’s Health
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The Peterson Award was established in memory of Karen S. Peterson, RN, MPH, an alumna and faculty member at Pitt Public Health. This award is intended to assist with research or practice leading to improvement in women’s health.
A student must have a demonstrated interest in research or practice leading to improvements in women’s health. Preference will be given to MPH students.
- The Joseph and Brigida Ricci Award Fund
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The Ricci Award was established by Dr. Edmund M. Ricci to support master's and doctoral students in BCHS and assist with recruitment and retention of students.
- The Silverman Scholarship Fund
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The Silverman Fund was established by Dr. Myrna and Mr. Lee Silverman to support doctoral students in BCHS with their coursework and dissertation research.
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in anthropology or in another social science and demonstrate merit, need and skills in qualitative and ethnographic research design. Preference will be given to students whose proposed dissertation reflects these skills. A representative of the Silverman Family will be involved in the selection. If there are no student applicants meeting the above criteria, the award will be to a student who is recommended by the doctoral committee and approved by a representative of the Silverman Family. Recipients of the Silverman Fund will be required to submit a 1-2 page report to their academic advisor 12 months after receipt of the funds, detailing expenditure of the award.
- BCHS Research and Travel Support Fund
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These funds are available for BCHS students to assist with the costs of conducting research toward their degrees. Funds may also be used for conference travel or registration fees when students are presenting. These funds are to be used if students are unable to secure funding through other grant support mechanisms.
Students must be in good academic standing. MPH students must have formed their committees and obtained IRB approval when relevant to be eligible. Doctoral students must have passed their Overview and have received IRB approval for their research to be eligible. Primary advisors will be consulted to ensure they concur with proposed use of funds before applications are approved.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Available funds are subject to change and once exhausted for the year will be unavailable; reapplication can be made for future years. Students are limited to one application per academic year.
Applications for all awards will be reviewed by either the BCHS MPH or doctoral committee, as appropriate, and a recommendation will be made to the department chair for approval. Students will be notified in writing, with funds posted to their tuition accounts upon receipt of all necessary approvals.
The department uses limited funds to benefit the largest number of students. Students may apply for more than one scholarship, though preference is given to students who have not received a previous award. Funds may be used for research or practice activities or as otherwise directed by the specific award.
