Empowering Future Physician Assistants to Care for Orange County's Underserved Communities
The CalOptima Scholarship provides full tuition coverage for admitted Chapman University Physician Assistant (PA) students committed to serving under-resourced populations in Orange County, California. This scholarship is designed to support aspiring healthcare providers who are passionate about improving access to quality care, as well as wanting to give back as a future educator and mentor.
About the Scholarship
This scholarship was established through a $5 million dollar partnership between CalOptima and Chapman University's PA Program to address healthcare shortages in underserved communities. By investing in future medical professionals, this initiative aims to strengthen the healthcare workforce in Orange County. Learn more about the scholarship's funding here.
Scholarship Details
- Full Tuition Coverage: The scholarship covers 100% of tuition for Chapman’s PA program (does not include living expenses, books, or additional fees).
- Commitment to Service: Recipients will work in Orange County clinics serving under-resourced communities and/or CalOptima members after graduation.
- Teaching & Mentorship: Scholarship recipients will give back by becoming preceptor clinical educators for Chapman’s PA students.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the scholarship, you must:
- Apply for admission to the Chapman University PA Program through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) portal and be accepted into the program.
- Be an Orange County resident by the time you start the PA program.
- Classified under served by CA Govt. Standards
Note: The Chapman PA Program CASPA application deadline is August 1 of every year. Applications must be electronically submitted through CASPA, verified, and documents may be received after the deadline, but your application will not be reviewed until all documents have been received.
Chapman PA Program Admission Process:
Step 1: Apply for admission to the Chapman University PA Program using the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) portal no later than August 1.
Step 2: Beginning June, a select group of qualified applicants will be contacted by phone or email, and invited for an interview.
Step 3: Complete the interview process for the Chapman PA Program.
Step 4: Admissions decisions will be made on a rolling basis until all class seats have been filled.
Step 5: Once accepted, submit a letter of confirmation with a nonrefundable deposit of $1,000 to the program to secure your seat in the upcoming class.
Step 6: Complete a successful background check, provide a negative drug test, meet all health
and immunization requirements and submit proof of BLS certification from an approved
AHA course.
Post-Graduate Commitments
Work in an Underserved Clinic (5 Years)
-
Scholarship recipients must work in Orange County, CA for five years post-graduation.
-
Employment must be in a clinic where CalOptima members receive care, ensuring service to low-income and under-resourced populations.
Become a Clinical Educator (By Year 3 of Employment)
-
Recipients must serve as preceptor clinical educators for Chapman University’s PA program by their third year of employment.
-
This role involves mentoring and training future PA students to continue the cycle of service and education.
Application Process - Deadline to apply: August 31, 2025
-
Confirm admission to Chapman’s PA Program with Director of CalOptima Scholarship, Heidi Girolamo
-
CalOptima Scholarship Application will open: May 1st, 2025.
-
All supplemental materials must be received by the scholarship application deadline: August 31, 2025.

Selection Process
-
Confirm admission to Chapman’s PA Program with Director of CalOptima Scholarship, Heidi Girolamo.
-
Complete CalOptima Scholarship Application and submit with all supplemental materials by application deadline August 31, 2025.
Can I apply if I have not yet been admitted to Chapman's PA program?
Yes, you may apply to the CalOptima scholarship and submit materials before you receive your admission decision. However, ONLY admitted students will be considered for a scholarship at that time. Chapman PA program admissions is entirely separate from the CalOptima scholarship process.
What qualifies as an underserved clinic?
Any healthcare clinic in Orange County that serves CalOptima members and provides care to under-resourced populations.
What does the scholarship cover?
The scholarship covers full tuition only. The scholarship does not cover living expenses and the accepted student registration deposit for the Chapman PA Program.
How does the preceptor requirement work?
By year three of employment, recipients must take on the role of preceptor clinical educators to mentor PA students from Chapman University. Recipients will be in contact with the Director of the scholarship at that time.
Will I need to interview for the CalOptima PA program scholarship?

About the Chapman University PA Program
Why should I choose Chapman University’s PA program?
Close relationships with graduate school colleagues and faculty, leading-edge facilities, high ethical standards and real-world partnerships with leading health care organizations are just a few of the reasons to choose Chapman University’s Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences’ Physician Assistant Program. We are a research-based institution that offers a rigorous, interprofessional education. Our emphasis is on best practices to provide optimum patient well-being.
How and when do I apply to the Chapman University PA program?
Applications to the Chapman University PA Program can be submitted using the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) portal.
The CASPA portal is open from April 29 until August 1 of every year.
How can I get more information on the Chapman PA program?
Visit chapman.edu/physician-assistant for more information.

- Events
-
The Chapman PA Program hosts information sessions each spring and campus tours each summer and fall to provide information about the program, the application process, and the Simon Scholars PA Scholarship.
For more information about these events visit the PA Program Event Page.
-

Kseniya Krivoruchko
Administrative Coordinator
Rinker Health Science Campus(714) 516-5266krivoruchko@chapman.edu
- Accreditation
-
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Chapman University-Crean College MMS PA Studies Program sponsored by Chapman University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2030. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website here.


