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AHEC Scholars Program Application
2026 - 2028


The Indiana Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Network’s Scholars program will prepare students to more effectively enter the health professions workforce. AHEC Scholars is designed specifically for applicants who have a strong interest in providing care to those living in rural and/or medically underserved communities across Indiana in professions such as: physicians, nurses, physician assistants, public health practitioners, pharmacists, psychologists, dentists, and other allied health occupations.

AHEC Scholars offers online learning units and community-based experiences designed to give health professions students a deeper understanding of rural and urban healthcare, caring for underserved populations, and the importance of practice transformation in a clinical care setting. Scholars will focus on seven core topics– behavioral health integration, interprofessional practice, practice transformation, social determinants of health, connecting communities and supporting health professionals, virtual learning and telehealth, and emerging issues (Substance Use Disorder & COVID-19).

The Scholars program pays a stipend of $1,800 to help support the two-year experience. This breaks down into $800 in Year 1 and $1,000 in Year 2.  

Scholars are expected to participate in 40 hours of online learning units, along with 40 hours of team-based community experiences per year. Timing of the team-based community experiences will be dependent upon the selected cohorts availability.  

Applicants must have their own transportation and housing in the region(s) where they apply (for the community experiences). Housing is NOT provided. Applicants should only indicate the AHEC region(s) that would be within driving distance given their housing situation. 

Scholars will be expected to complete program evaluations based upon their educational and community-based experiences. Scholars are also expected to respond to AHEC on an annual basis upon completion of the program for updates on practice location and related activities.

Students in an undergraduate prep program (e.g., Pre-Med/Biology) are not eligible unless they are concurrently enrolled in a health professions undergraduate program, such as nursing (ASN/BSN).

Please note: This is a competitive application process with selection based on experience, interest in rural and underserved populations, and flexibility in placement location. Keep in mind that some of our regions may reach their maximum number of applicants and will not be accepting more. If you apply to one of those regions, we will offer other open region options or you can be placed on the waitlist for your primary choice.

Program Requirements


Application Deadline: This application must be submitted by September 21st, 2026.


Start Date: October 1st, 2026.

Commitment Timeline: October 2026 - May 2028.


  • Applicants must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
  • Graduation date must fall between December 2027 - May 2028.

  • Must be in the final two years of an accredited health professions program. (Two-year degree programs are eligible to apply.) 
  • Must have reliable transportation- this program includes multiple site visits across the selected AHEC region(s).
  • Must be willing to submit to a criminal background check and drug screening.
  • Must be available to participate for two years. 
  • Must be available to participate in 40 hours of online learning units and 40 hours of team-based community experiences per year (for two years).
  • Must be willing to complete evaluations related to program activities. 
  • Must be able to provide the necessary paperwork (such as W-9 and direct deposit form) to receive the stipend. 
  • Must be willing to respond to AHEC upon completion of AHEC Scholars Program on an annual basis for updates on practice location and activities.

Questions?  Contact: ahecsch@iu.edu.


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Region Selection

AHEC Scholars will select 15 students per region. These regions will serve as the base of the team-based community experiences. What region you are placed in will be based on your current school city or the city you grew up in/reside in currently. In the text boxes below, please indicate these locations. 




Counties and Universities/Colleges by AHEC Region:

1. East Indiana (EI)  

Contacts: Becky Niese/Jeff Hartz 
Counties: Dearborn, Decatur, Fayette, Franking, Henry, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley, Rush, Switzerland, Union, and Wayne
Colleges/Universities: Earlham College, Hanover College, Indiana University East, IUPUC, Ivy Tech (Batesville, Columbus, Lawrenceburg, Madison, New Castle, Richmond)

2. East Central Indiana (ECI)

Contacts: Amber Riggin/Billie Wolfe

Counties: Adams, Blackford, Delaware, Grant, Huntington, Jay, Madison, Randolph, Wabash, and Wells

Colleges/Universities: Anderson University (Madison County), Ball State University, Huntington University, Indiana Wesleyan University, Ivy Tech (Anderson, Marion, & Muncie), Manchester University, Taylor University

3. Metropolitan Indianapolis/ Central Indiana (MICI) 

Contacts: A’Shanti Bogan-Turntine/Gina Woodward

Counties: Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Morgan, and Shelby

Colleges/Universities: Anderson University, Butler University, Franklin College, IUPUI, Ivy Tech (Anderson, Avon, Franklin, Indianapolis, Noblesville), Marian University, Martin University, University of Indianapolis

 

4. North Central Indiana (NCI)

Contacts: Shannon Stoner/Serena Johnston

Counties: Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Fulton, Howard, Miami, Pulaski, Tippecanoe, Tipton, and White

Colleges/Universities: Harrison College (Lafayette), Indiana University Kokomo, Ivy Tech (Frankfurt, Kokomo, Logansport, Monticello, Peru, Rochester), Purdue University (West Lafayette), Saint Elizabeth School of Nursing

5. Northeast Indiana (NEI)

Contacts: Mia Reinhardt/Kim DeOrto

Counties: Allen, DeKalb, Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, and Whitley

Colleges/Universities: Goshen College, Grace College, Indiana Tech, Indiana University Fort Wayne, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Indiana Wesleyan University, Ivy Tech (Fort Wayne & Warsaw), Manchester University, Trine University, University of Saint Francis- Fort Wayne

 

6. Northwest Indiana (NWI)

Contacts: Beverly Lewis/Monique McAlister 

Counties: Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Newton, Porter, Starke, and St. Joseph

Colleges/Universities: Ancilla College, Calumet College of Saint Joseph, Indiana University (Northwest, South Bend), Ivy Tech (East Chicago, Gary, Michigan City, Valparaiso), Purdue University Northwest, Valparaiso University, Bethel College, Holy Cross College, Saint Mary's College, University of Notre Dame, University of Saint Francis

 

7. South Central Indiana (SCI)

Contacts:  Emily Webb/Michael Edwards

Counties: Brown, Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Jackson, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Scott, and Washington

Colleges/Universities: Indiana University (Bloomington, Southeast), Ivy Tech (Bloomington, Sellersburg), Ottawa University (Jeffersonville)

8. Southwest Indiana (SWI)

Contacts: Krista Kercher/Jane Friona
Counties: Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, and Warrick

Colleges/Universities: Harrison College (Evansville), Ivy Tech (Evansville, Princeton, Tell City), University of Evansville, University of Southern Indiana, Vincennes University 

9. West Central Indiana (WCI)

Contacts: Suzanne Bowman/Jackie Mathis

Counties: Clay, Fountain, Greene, Montgomery, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, Vigo, and Warren

Colleges/Universities: DePauw University, Harrison College (Terre Haute), Indiana State University, Ivy Tech (Crawfordsville, Greencastle, Linton, Rockville, Terre Haute), Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Wabash College

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