Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students - Funding Opportunity Number: HRSA 26-096 CDFA(s): 93.925 Applicant Name: Le Moyne College Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project: Le Moyne Education and Access to Primary Care (LEAP) Needs: Le Moyne College (LMC), located in Syracuse, New York, proposes the Le Moyne Education and Access to Primary Care (LEAP) project to strengthen the recruitment, retention, graduation, and placement of students from educationally, economically, and geographically vulnerable backgrounds in its Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program. The project addresses persistent statewide shortages of primary care providers and the disproportionate burden of poor health outcomes in rural and medically vulnerable communities (MVCs). Rural counties across New York face severe shortages of primary care, pediatric, OB/GYN, dental, mental health, and PA providers, limiting access to care and constraining DPAS’s (Department of Physician Assistant Studies) ability to expand clinical training capacity. Syracuse continues to experience severe economic hardship. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 ACS, Syracuse ranks among the top five for highest poverty urban areas in the United States, with an overall poverty rate of 35% and one of the highest (first or second) child poverty rates among cities with more than 100,000 residents. LMC’s student population reflects these financial characteristics—41% are from low-income households. The average student financial need is $55,454 per year. Proposed Services: The LEAP project will address these needs through a coordinated set of evidence based services designed to reduce financial, academic, and structural barriers for disadvantaged PA students. Proposed services include SDS scholarships of up to $40,000 per student; comprehensive wrap around supports addressing food insecurity, emergency aid, wellness, and mental health; holistic admissions; proactive advising and mentoring; faculty and preceptor development; and a tiered academic support program modeled after the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Additional services include access to the HOPES program, which provides financial literacy education, professional development, and emergency financial assistance, and the college’s wellness, counseling, veteran, and graduate student success services. Population served: The LEAP project will serve full time PA students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including those who are economically disadvantaged, educationally disadvantaged, first generation college students, rural residents, military connected students, and students from MVCs. Through SDS support, LMC will increase enrollment and retention of disadvantaged students; ensure that 100% of scholars complete at least four primary care rotations and three rotations in rural, Tribal, or other MVCs; and strengthen the PA workforce pipeline into high need communities. Funding Priority Requested: Le Moyne College requests all 8 available priority points. • Priority 1 (2 points): An average of 27% of graduates enter primary care (exceeds 15%). • Priority 2 (2 points): An average of 67% of graduates work in rural, Tribal, or MVCs (exceeds 10%). • Priority 3 (2 points): An average of 32% of graduates are underrepresented minority students. • Priority 4 (2 points): LMC is located in a Primary Care, Mental Health, and Dental Health HPSA. LMC’s longstanding commitment to educating students from disadvantaged backgrounds, its strong record of graduating PAs who serve in primary care and MVCs, and its extensive partnerships across New York State position the LEAP project to meaningfully strengthen the PA workforce and reduce health disparities in high need communities.
