Overcoming Barriers to Impact the World in Positive Ways
The Simon Scholar Physician Assistant scholarship creates pathways for underserved students by offering full-tuition scholarships.
This scholarship provides eligible students who wish to earn their Masters in Medical Science degree (MMS) at the Chapman University Physician Assistant program with the opportunity to graduate in two years with little or no debt and join the profession ranked number three in best healthcare jobs in 2024 by U.S. News & World Report.
Student debt can have a significant effect on career choices, as well as clinical practice types and location. This impact is especially significant for underserved students facing financial adversity. Our goal is to minimize the impact on student debt for students awarded the Simon Scholar PA Program scholarship.
Qualified applicants to Simon Scholar PA Program must be accepted into the Chapman University PA Program.
Simon Scholar PA Program Application Process
Selection Criteria
Simon Scholar PA Program selection criteria:
- First-generation college student
- From an underserved background
- From Orange or San Diego County
- Demonstrated economic adversity
- History of overcoming personal adversity
- Demonstrated leadership
- Strong record of academic excellence and achievement
- Active involvement in ongoing community service
- Admission to the Chapman University PA Studies Program
- Commitment to practicing as a PA in Orange or San Diego County for a minimum of three years post-graduation
Application Process
This process is for scholarships to be awarded to qualifying applicants to the Simon Scholar PA Program and the Chapman University MMS PA Studies Program. The scholarship application portal is open from May 1 until August 30.
Step 1: Fill out and submit the scholarship application form which includes:
- Personal Essay
- Financial Need Statement
- FAFSA Submission Summary
- Three required letters of recommendation
The deadline for the scholarship application is August 30.
Step 2: Qualified applicants will be contacted via email and invited to participate in a
scholarship interview.
Step 3: Complete the scholarship interview process.
Step 4: Applicants will be notified of the scholarship application decision. Scholarships will be awarded from June until October.
Important Notice: 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.
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.
About Physician Assistants
What is a Physician Assistant?
PAs are Licensed healthcare professionals who practice medicine with physician supervision (MD, DO). They diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and often serve as a patient’s principal healthcare provider. With thousands of hours of medical training, PAs are versatile and collaborative. PAs practice in every state and in every medical setting and specialty, improving healthcare access and quality.
Why Become a Physician Assistant?
As the population grows and ages, there is a nationwide shortage of health care providers. Physician Assistants (PAs) play a cructional role in addressing this need. The path to becoming a PA is faster than that of a physician. PAs are among the most versatile healthcare providers, uniquely educated as medical generalists. This broad training allows PAs to adapt to various specialties and provide comprehensive care across diverse patient populations.
What are the benefits of becoming a PA?
A career as a PA offers strong earning potential. The path to a PA license is faster than that of a physician and, in the case of Simon Scholars, that path may be debt-free. Many students are offered as many as five or six positions before they’ve completed the Chapman University PA Program. PAs are one of the most versatile healthcare providers because they are educated as medical generalists. This is unique to the PA profession.
How can I get more information on the PA profession?
About the Simon Scholar PA Program
Do I need to be a Simon Scholar to apply for the scholarship?
Do I need to submit applications for both the Simon Scholar PA program and the Chapman University PA program?
Do I need to be accepted to the Chapman PA program in order to be considered for a scholarship?
Yes, admission to the Chapman PA Program is required for scholarship consideration. Once accepted, you would be required to submit a letter of confirmation of acceptance to Chapman University Graduate Admissions Department with a nonrefundable deposit of $1,000 to secure your seat in the upcoming class.
Note: Admission to the Chapman PA Program is not a guarantee of being awarded this scholarship.
What does the scholarship cover?
Simon Scholar PA Program scholarship awardees will receive a full-tuition scholarship to complete the Chapman University PA Program. The scholarship covers tuition only.
What is not covered by the scholarship?
The scholarship does not cover living expenses and the accepted student registration deposit for the Chapman PA Program.
Am I guaranteed a Simon Scholar PA program scholarship if I meet the application requirements?
Will I need to interview for the Simon Scholar PA program scholarship?
About the Chapman University PA Program
Why should I choose Chapman University’s PA program?
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?
About the Simon Scholars Foundation
What is the Simon Scholar Foundation?
How can I get more information about the Simon Scholars Foundation?
- Events
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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.
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Kseniya Krivoruchko
Administrative Coordinator
Rinker Health Science Campus(714) 516-5266krivoruchko@chapman.edu
- Accreditation
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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.