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2026 PA Mental Health Scholarship Application

Deadline for Application Submissions: 11:59 pm on Friday, February 27, 2026

The Physician Associate (PA) Mental Health Service Scholarship is established to support PA students who demonstrate a commitment to improving access to mental health care in rural and underserved communities in California. The scholarship provides financial assistance to eligible students in exchange for a one-year service obligation in a designated rural or underserved area upon graduation and licensure.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants of the PA Mental Health Service Scholarship must:

  • Be a current CAPA Member
  • Be in clinical rotations at the time of submission or a recent graduate (within nine (9) months of the submission deadline).
  • Be currently enrolled in a California ARC-PA or successor agency-approved PA program.
  • Be in good academic standing (maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale).
  • Be a United States citizen or permanent resident.
  • Past recipients of CAPA or CAPA Foundation scholarships are ineligible to apply.

Commitment to Service

  • Must sign or have intent to sign a formal Service Agreement committing one (1) year of full-time employment in a rural or underserved community providing mental health services in a psychiatry setting following graduation and licensure. Primary care will be considered but a dedicated mental health setting will be weighted more heavily.

Personal Statement

  • Must provide evidence of prior engagement, coursework, or volunteer activity related to mental health or rural health with a personal statement (maximum 750 words) describing their interest in rural mental health, career goals, and intended impact.

Letter of Recommendation

  • Must submit one (1) professional letter of recommendation from a faculty member, preceptor, or healthcare professional familiar with the applicant’s abilities and commitment to underserved populations

Application Enclosures

  • Complete PA Mental Health Service Scholarship Application
  • Personal Statement (maximum 750 words).
  • Letter of Recommendation as described above.
  • Current Academic Transcript (official or unofficial)

While applicants may apply for multiple CAPA and CAPA Foundation scholarships, they will be awarded only one. 

Past recipients of CAPA or CAPA Foundation scholarships are ineligible to apply

If you prefer to complete and email an application, click here to download the form.

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Must provide evidence of prior engagement, coursework, or volunteer activity related to mental health or rural health with a personal statement (maximum 750 words) describing their interest in rural mental health, career goals, and intended impact.

20MB max

Must submit one (1) professional letter of recommendation from a faculty member, preceptor, or healthcare professional familiar with the applicant’s abilities and commitment to underserved populations.

20MB max

Current Academic Transcript (official or unofficial)

20MB max

I intend to practice as a licensed PA in California upon graduation and successful completion of the NCCPA Board examination (within 60 days of graduation). If selected as an award recipient, I further agree to sign an agreement committing one (1) year of full-time employment in a rural or underserved community providing mental health services in a psychiatry setting. Primary care will be considered but a dedicated mental health setting will be weighted more heavily.

Awarding of scholarship funds is contingent upon the student providing verified proof of employment in an eligible practice site, including employer contact information and a signed employment contract. Failure to provide the required documentation may result in forfeiture of the scholarship award.


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