The IHERF Health Care Careers Scholarship Fund Program began in 2005. This program aims to fill Iowa health care positions with notable openings by offering significant financial support to students seeking health care education or training.

Qualified positions are:

Surgical technician (associate degree)

Audiologist

Clinical laboratory scientist/medical technologist

Clinical laboratory technician/medical laboratory technician

Coder (associate degree)

Dietician

Emergency medical technician (associate degree/certification)

Health care informatics

Licensed mental health counselor

Medical interpreter ($500 scholarship)

Nursing (licensed practical nurse; associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees; advanced registered nurse practitioner, Doctor of Nursing Practice)

Occupational therapist

Physical therapist

Physician assistant

Psychiatrist/psychologist

Radiology (radiology, nuclear medicine, MRI and ultrasound technologists and technicians)

Respiratory therapist

Social worker (licensed independent social worker, Master of Social Work)

Speech therapist

The Iowa Hospital Association supports the Health Care Careers Scholarship Program through IHERF, an IHA subsidiary. Scholarships of up to $7,000 ($3,000 per year for a maximum of two years) have supported higher education for over 800 Iowa college students. Apply for health care careers scholarships HERE through Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026.