Grants can help put you in the dental hygienist's chair.
A dental hygienist requires an accredited degree and a state certification. Generally, hygienists receive a two-year associate's degree, costing around $30,000 a year as of September 2009, or a four-year baccalaureate degree, averaging about $40,000 a year, according to the American Dental Hygienists' Association. The 2010-11 Occupational Handbook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 36 percent growth in the dental hygienist career field by 2018, with half of all hygienists earning $55,220 to $78,990 per year as of May 2008. Grants and scholarships can help you afford the degree to earn that income.
American Dental Association Foundation
The American Dental Association Foundation offers scholarships and grants for a variety of dental fields. Some are specific to minority students. A $1,000 needs-based scholarship is available to dental hygiene students entering the final year of school. Students must be U.S. citizens, be enrolled in at least 12 credits and have a grade-point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students apply through their schools. Applicants need two references, a cover letter and a financial-needs analysis. Each accredited institution selects its top two students and submits their applications to the foundation. The foundation selects a maximum of 15 winners. The deadline is Aug. 15 each year.
American Dental Hygienists' Association
The American Dental Hygienists' Association offers scholarships to would-be dental hygienists to help them pursue a degree or to conduct research. As of 2010, the highest-paying grant, the General Scholarship Award, provides up to $2,000 based on need and merit to as many as 34 students through its Institute for Oral Health. Applicants must have completed at least one year toward a hygienist's degree with a 3.0 grade-point average or better and must be members of the ADHA or the Student American Dental Hygienists' Association.
A separate research grant is available to any ADHA member, including students. The research should be focused on improving oral health. The research proposal must accompany the grant application. As of 2010, awards range from $1,000 to $5,000, and the association gives out about five grants a year.
National Dental Association Foundation
The National Dental Association Foundation and Colgate-Palmolive offer annual need-based scholarships to minority students in dental hygiene at all levels, from first year to post-doctorate. Awards range from $500 to $10,000, as of 2010. Students must maintain a 3.5 grade-point average, be U.S. citizens, demonstrate continued volunteer service, and get letters of recommendation from an undergraduate professor and a dean.
CDA Foundation
The CDA Foundation provides grants to dental hygiene students in California. The Allied Dental Student Scholarship Program, administered through local dental societies, offers $500 to $1,000 to students enrolled in California dental hygiene schools, as of 2010. The Latinos for Dental Careers Scholarship pays up to $1,000 on behalf of students of Latino descent who are accepted into or enrolled in California dental school programs, including prospective dental hygienists.
Tags: American Dental, American Dental Hygienists, Association Foundation, Dental Association, Dental Association Foundation, Dental Hygienists Association
