Dietetic Internship Scholarships and Financial Aid: A Comprehensive Guide

Embarking on a career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) often requires completing a dietetic internship, a crucial step in the accreditation process. However, the cost of these internships can be a significant barrier for many aspiring dietitians. Fortunately, various scholarships and financial aid options exist to help alleviate this financial burden. This article provides a comprehensive overview of dietetic internship scholarships and financial aid, offering valuable information for students and credentialed practitioners.

Scholarships and Grants from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, through its Foundation, offers numerous scholarships and grants to support students and professionals in the field. To apply for these opportunities, credentialed practitioners and students must log in with their Academy/CDR ID number and password. Academy membership is not always required for all scholarships.

Advancing Practice Scholarship Fund

This scholarship supports current Registered Dietitians (RDs) who want to pursue a Master’s degree. The award amount is \$10,000 for RDs and \$20,000 for Preceptor RDs. Up to 10 RDs and up to 5 Preceptor RDs are selected annually.

Doctorate to RD Award

This fund provides awards not to exceed \$10,000 for individuals with doctoral degrees seeking to become RDNs. Applications will open in February 2026.

Continuing Education Award

This award provides financial support, up to \$5,000, to RDs and DTRs to obtain leadership training. The training programs should prepare individuals to move into leadership positions within their organization.

Emerging Researcher Grant

This grant aims to accelerate the professional development of emerging registered dietitian nutritionist researchers. The award amount is \$10,000, and up to 5 recipients are selected annually. The grant provides funding for research aligned with CDR’s Strategic Plan. Submissions for research whose findings may be used as pilot data for future investigations or submissions that build on existing investigations are encouraged. Applications will open in September 2026.

Student-Faculty Collaborative Research Grant

This grant supports the professional development of emerging registered dietitian nutritionist researchers by funding program director and faculty-led research. The award amount is \$5,000, and up to 5 recipients are selected annually. Applications will open in September 2026.

CDR Scholarships

The CDR Scholarships are open to students and credentialed practitioners who are not members of the Academy. Applications for Scholarships are open through April 2, 2026.

Advancing Practice Awards

These awards support stipend reimbursement for advancing the practice of current Registered Dietitians (RDs) and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs). The award includes \$475 International per recipient for any CDR Board Certified Specialist Certifications.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Many universities and organizations offer scholarships specifically for dietetic internships. Here are a few examples:

Read also: Navigating Dietetic Internships

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Dietetic Internship Scholarship Program: This scholarship enables qualified students to attend their dietetic internship, allowing their professional achievements to contribute to their internship program. The scholarship award is \$6,000. Applicants must meet the criteria for the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Dietetic Internship Program, demonstrate promise as a valuable contributing member of the profession, demonstrate a need for financial assistance, provide a scholarship statement highlighting their financial need, be a US citizen or permanent resident, and provide a complete and professionally presented application packet. A GPA in Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) courses of less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale are not encouraged to apply. The scholarship application with all required information will be submitted under the supplemental section as part of the complete DICAS application process.

Financial Aid Considerations for Dietetic Interns

Dietetic Interns are generally not eligible for Federal, State, or Institutional financial aid because The Internship Program in Nutrition and Dietetics is a certificate and therefore, not eligible for in-school or internship deferment. However, they may apply for an educational loan through a private lender.

Private/Alternative Loans

These loans require a credit check and often a co-signer. If approved, the loan will pay to Virginia Tech and then sent to the student through direct deposit.

Loan Repayment and Deferment

Any Federal Loans and/or Private/Alternative Loans borrowed in prior years will enter repayment. If you are having difficulties making your loan payments, you should speak with your loan servicer regarding the possibility of an economic hardship deferment or forbearance. It may also be possible to change your current repayment plan to an income-based plan which could lower your monthly payments.

Disaster Relief Program

The Commission on Dietetic Registration has provided funding to the Academy’s Foundation Disaster Relief program.

Tips for Scholarship Applications

Start Early: Begin your scholarship search and application process well in advance of deadlines.
Meet the Criteria: Carefully review the eligibility criteria for each scholarship and ensure you meet all requirements.
Highlight Your Achievements: Showcase your academic achievements, work experience, volunteer activities, and professional contributions in your application.
Demonstrate Financial Need: Clearly articulate your financial need and explain how the scholarship will help you achieve your career goals.
Obtain Strong Letters of Recommendation: Request letters of recommendation from individuals who know you well and can speak to your skills, qualities, and potential. Letters of recommendation should be written by someone who knows you well and who can speak to your career goals, your qualities, your attitudes toward diversity in the profession.
Proofread Carefully: Ensure your application is free of errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Follow Instructions: Adhere to all application instructions and submit all required documents by the deadline.

Additional Notes

A Dietetic Intern who receives a bill from the University, stating that they owe in-state tuition or other fees, should contact the program director, Carol Papillon.

Examples of Dietetic Internship Programs and Associated Universities

Many universities and healthcare institutions across the United States offer dietetic internships. Here are some examples:

Read also: Dietetic Internship Options

Abilene Christian University - Dallas, Addison, TX
Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ
Auburn University, Auburn, AL
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
California State University Fresno, Fresno, CA
California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI
Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA
Clemson University, Clemson, SC
Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Royal Oak, MI
Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY
Diversity Dietetics, Atlanta, GA
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, Roslindale, MA
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA
James J. and August LoPresti, Sr.
Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Keith & Associates Distance Dietetic Internship and the University of Alabama, Tulsa, OK and Tuscaloosa, AL
Komplete Business Dietetic Internship, Haddon Township, NJ
Marshall University, Huntington, WV
Marywood University, Scranton, PA
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Mayo Clinic Dietetic Internship and University of Wisconsin-Madison, Rochester, MN and Madison, WI
Metropolitan State University of Denver, Denver, CO
Michael E.
Montana State University - Bozeman, Bozeman, MT
Morrison Healthcare, Charleston, SC
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL
Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Radford University, Radford, VA
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Simmons University, Boston, MA
State University of New York Oneonta, Oneonta, NY
Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial, Harvey, IL
University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
University of California San Diego Health, San Diego, CA
University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK
University of Georgia, Athens, GA
University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
University of Nebraska- Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
University of New England, Biddeford, ME
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
University of The Pacific, Sacramento, CA
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI

This list is not exhaustive but provides a starting point for exploring internship options.

tags: #dietetic #internship #scholarships #and #financial #aid