The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) program, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), provides tuition scholarships to full-time, financially needy health professions students from economically or environmentally disadvantaged backgrounds. The School of Dentistry has received funding for students who meet either of two definitions of “disadvantaged” listed below and have calculated Need. You can review the SDS FAQ’s here.
** The 2024-25 Application is closed as of Nov 27th, 2024 **
SDS Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for SDS you must:
- Be enrolled full-time in the 2024 – 2025 academic year
- Be a US Citizen or permanent resident
- You must come from either an Economically or Environmentally Disadvantaged background as defined below. (You will select one or both of these categories and turn in the requested documents to support your claim)
Note: students that have scholarships or waivers that cover the full cost of tuition are not eligible to participate
- You must have calculated financial need
Explanation of an Economically Disadvantaged Background
An individual who comes from a family with an annual income below a level based on guidelines published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census and Department of Health and Human Services, adjusted annually for changes in the Consumer Price Index, and adjusted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for adaptation to this program.
Supporting Documents
The documents below are required to establish an Economically Disadvantaged Background and to calculate financial need. If you applied for this scholarship last year and submitted 2022 tax information you do not have to resubmit it.
- PARENTS IRS TAX DOCUMENTATION – Parents must submit the following:
- If parents filed a 2022 tax return – submit a signed copy of the tax return, including schedules and W2 and\or 1099 form(s)
- If parents worked in 2022 but did not file a tax return – submit a Wage and Income Transcript and Verification of Non-Filing Letter.
- If parents did not work in 2022 – submit a Verification of Non-Filing Letter
Please Note:
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- If parents reside and work in a foreign country, provide the equivalent of a federal income tax return translated into English with USD currency conversion for each year requested.
- STUDENT AND SPOUSE IRS TAX DOCUMENTATION – Students, and their spouse if applicable, must submit:
- If student\spouse filed a 2022 tax return – submit a signed copy of the tax return, including schedules and W2 and\or 1099 form(s)
- If student\spouse worked in 2022 but did not file a tax return – submit a Wage and Income Transcript and Verification of Non-Filing Letter.
- If student\spouse did not work in 2022 – submit a Verification of Non-Filing Letter
- ASSETS AND INVESTMENTS – Submit copies of June, July, and August 2024 statements for all savings, checking and investment accounts for student, spouse, and parents.
- (Optional) EXCEPTION TO PARENT INFO AND TAX SUBMISSION REQUIREMENT – If the student will be applying as independent with the exception to the Parent Info and Tax Requirement they must provide the following:
- A copy of your valid state-issued identification showing you are at least 24 years old.
- Proof that you have not been claimed on your parents’ tax returns for the last 3 tax years. If parents filed separately, you must submit signed copies of taxes from each parent. Please submit signed tax returns for the last 3 years (2023, 2022, and 2021).
Explanation of Environmentally/ Educational Disadvantaged Background
An individual who comes from an environment that has inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skill, and abilities required to enroll in and graduate from a health professions school. Examples of an environmentally disadvantaged background include (but are not limited to):
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- First generation undergraduate student
- Has resided in subsidized housing
- Has received benefits from the Federal Free and Reduced Meal program
- Has received a Pell Grant during undergraduate education
Supporting Documents needed to claim Environmental/Education Disadvantage
If you select an environmental or educational disadvantaged background as your eligibility criteria when applying, we will review your TMDSAS Admissions Application to confirm your responses.
Application Requirements – deadline to submit a completed application is November 27th, 2024 – THE APPLICATION IS CLOSED
Applications must be complete* and submitted to VSFA by the deadline to be considered. *A completed application is determined when the application and all required documents have been submitted (including requests for additional documentation).
SDS funding is limited so not all applicants will receive an award. Selected students are notified by the School of Dentistry after they select recipients. Receipt of SDS funds in prior years does not guarantee an award for this year.
Please see list below for all required documentation
- Complete and signed SDS 2024-25 Application
- 2024-2025 FAFSA
- UT Health San Antonio 2024-2025 Scholarship Application
- Supporting Documents as described above to both validate Economic and/or Environmental Disadvantaged Background.
Other forms that may be requested
- Authorization to Release Education Records Form
- Additional proof of your environmental/educational disadvantage