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NLC Scholarships

18 Scholarships Available: Apply to Invest in Your Growth as a Leader

Through the ASDA and Heartland Dental Scholarship Programs, 18 ASDA members will be funded to attend the 2026 National Leadership Conference (NLC) in Chicago. Five ASDA Scholars will be awarded. Heartland Dental is again funding 13 scholarships for one student per district to attend NLC. ASDA and Heartland Dental Scholarship applications can be found in the same scholarship form and eligible members are encouraged to apply for both. 

Applications open July 13 through Aug. 11

ASDA Scholarship

The purpose of the ASDA Scholarship is to incentivize involvement in ASDA by creating opportunities for members to participate in association programs. The scholarship is intended to demonstrate the value of membership to individuals who may have not yet engaged with ASDA at the national level. The scholarship’s goal is to increase student engagement in ASDA.

Applicants for the ASDA Scholarship will be judged based on their ability to demonstrate an interest in leadership, a strong potential for growth within ASDA, financial need and a commitment to sharing meeting value.

Eligibility:

  • Must be an active ASDA predoctoral member.
  • Must be enrolled in a CODA-accredited dental program at the time of NLC.
  • Current and past national ASDA leaders are ineligible to apply.
  • All application materials must be complete and submitted prior to the application deadline.
Heartland Dental Scholarship

Heartland Dental selects scholarship recipients based on applicants' demonstrated leadership, service, and the overall strength of their application. Special consideration is given to applicants whose responses reflect Heartland Dental's commitment to leadership development and the future of dentistry.

Eligibility:

  • Must be an active ASDA predoctoral member.
  • Must be enrolled in a CODA-accredited dental program at the time of NLC.
  • All Heartland Scholars are required to attend a breakfast prior to programming on Friday, Nov. 20. Applicants should schedule their travel accordingly.
  • All application materials must be complete and submitted prior to the application deadline.

Scholarship Details  

All scholarships will include:

  • Complimentary full meeting registration ($650 value)
  • $450 travel stipend to help offset travel costs

If selected as an ASDA or Heartland Dental Scholar, recipients acknowledge that the travel stipend may not cover all costs associated with attending NLC.

Apply Now

Log in to My ASDA to begin your application.

New ASDA members, including incoming D1 students, can email Membership@asdanet.org to access the application.

If applying for both scholarships, all information must be submitted at once. The deadline to apply for both scholarships is August 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CT.

All applications must include a time-off letter printed and signed by their school administrator. Download the form here. Applicants should request their time-off letter at least a week in advance of submitting their application.

*Applicants may be awarded only one scholarship.

*All scholarship recipients will be required to complete a form highlighting their experience after the conference.

*Applying for the Heartland scholarship implies agreement to share application information responses with Heartland and to be publicly recognized as a Heartland Scholar in conjunction with NLC if chosen.

*Heartland scholarship recipients will be required to attend a scheduled breakfast at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, November 20 with the sponsor. Meeting time is subject to change.

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Learn more about the impact of an NLC scholarship from some of our past recipients.

"Attending NLC was an unforgettable experience that reinforced the importance of leadership and innovation in dentistry. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn from such accomplished speakers, connect with passionate peers, and gain insights that will shape my career... It’s an incredible investment in your personal and professional growth." -Jaelon, Connecticut '26

"I think the best advice to (scholarship) recipients would be to go to as many events as possible and talk to as many people as possible. NLC is a unique opportunity where you can learn more about dentistry but also meet the future representatives of the dental profession." -Tyson, Rutgers '27

"At NLC, I was able to discuss with students from schools all over the country about how their ASDA chapters are run (funding, organization, school support, etc). It was interesting to hear about the similarities and differences between other districts as well! NLC gave me the time and space to network with many other students, which I otherwise would not have had the opportunity to do!"
-Alyssa, Maryland '26

Email Meetings@ASDAnet.org with any questions.