Today, Cook County Government, Cook County Health and the Health Foundation of Cook County announced the opening of the application process for the 2026 Provident Scholarship Fund.

The scholarship will award $1M in scholarships in 2026, supporting future healthcare professionals, building the local healthcare workforce, and advancing equity in medicine. The scholarship application period opens on Thursday, March 12 and closes on Sunday, April 19.

Information can be found here: cookcountyhealth.org/provident-scholarship-fund/

“This investment comes at a critical time in healthcare. Across the country, patients face long wait times for appointments, provider shortages and increasing barriers to care – challenges likely to worsen due to federal budget cuts to the health care safety net,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “To meet this moment, we must do more than just maintain our health care workforce, we must expand and strengthen it, particularly in communities where the need is greatest.”

The Provident Scholarship Fund offers $20,000 scholarships to health professional students, including those in medical, dental, physician assistant and nurse practitioner programs and $10,000 scholarships to undergraduate and allied health students, including those nursing, behavioral health, surgical and radiology technology, respiratory therapy, and paramedic programs. 

The scholarship will also support awardees with mentorship and professional development opportunities.

“By reducing financial barriers for aspiring healthcare professionals, we aren’t just awarding scholarships, we are investing in the next generation of caregivers who will serve our communities. Health equity is not just about the care provided, it is also about who delivers it,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, CEO, Cook County Health.

The scholarship is administered by the Health Foundation of Cook County.

“The Provident Scholarship Fund is an investment in the future of healthcare,” said Verlon Johnson, Health Foundation of Cook County Board Chair. “By supporting talented students from underrepresented communities, we are not only changing individual lives but also strengthening our healthcare system as a whole.”

Named in honor of Provident Hospital, the first African American-owned and operated hospital in the United States, the scholarship fund advances the hospital’s legacy of equitable healthcare by reducing financial barriers for aspiring medical professionals.

The Provident Scholarship has awarded almost $5M in scholarships to nearly 300 students since its establishment in 2022.

The Health Foundation of Cook County invites community members, healthcare partners, and donors to support the Provident Scholarship Fund and help build a stronger, more diverse healthcare workforce by donating at healthfoundationcc.org/.