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Assemblyman Ken CooleySACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Today, Calif. Assemblyman Ken Cooley announced that the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) is offering scholarships and student loan repayments for health professionals who commit to working in medically underserved communities.

Funded through OSHPD’s Health Professions Education Foundation, $32 million will be awarded to students enrolled in healthcare related programs and health professionals who commit to working in California’s medically underserved communities for up to three years.

Qualifying professions and programs of study include: licensed and registered nursing; physical, occupational and speech therapy; medical and therapy assistance; social work; dental hygiene; nurse practitioner; and physician assistant.

Scholarships range from $4,000 – $13,000 a year, depending on the field of study. Loan repayments can award committed health professionals up to $4,000 for allied healthcare, $19,000 for nursing, $20,000 for health administration, and up to $105,000 for advanced degrees.

Students and health professionals interested in learning more about the program can go to: www.healthprofessions.ca.gov. Applications are submitted electronically through the website, and are due by October 19th, 2013.

Assemblyman Ken Cooley represents the 8th Assembly District which includes the communities of Arden-Arcade, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, Rancho Murieta, Rosemont, Wilton and other portions of unincorporated Sacramento County.