North Carolina Health Careers Access Program (NC-HCAP)

Created in 2012, The Carolina Higher Education Opportunity Programs (CHEOP) Office at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is comprised of the North Carolina Health Careers Access Program (NC-HCAP) and TRiO Programs (the Upward Bound Program and the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program).  

CHEOP promotes and provides Programs, Activities, and Services that facilitate access to College, Graduate Programs, and Health Professional Schools for underrepresented minority, first generation, rural and/or socioeconomically disadvantaged students. CHEOP Programs enhance participants’ academic performance, retention, personal and professional development and graduation from high school, college, and health professional schools. CHEOP works closely with UNC campus Offices and Departments, Faculty and Staff, and with Public Schools, Community-Based Organizations, and other Partners across the State of North Carolina.  

Funding Priorities  

•  Science Enrichment Preparation (S.E.P.) Program  – $13,000 per scholar 
  • Held each summer on the UNC Chapel Hill campus, the S.E.P. Program is an eight-week, honors-level  Academic Enrichment Program that targets first-generation, underrepresented minority, rural, and/or socioeconomically disadvantaged undergraduate students (rising sophomores and rising juniors) who seek admission into Medical School or Dental School. Additionally, Scholars will receive educational supplies such as textbooks, organic chemistry sets, dental impression kits, medical simulated lab sets, and a competitive stipend.    
• Health Careers and Research Pipeline Initiative for Males (HCRPI-M)   – $8,000 per scholar  
  • HCRPI-M serves 25 undergraduate men of color at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The purpose of the initiative is to increase the admission and retention of underrepresented minority men (i.e. African American, Latinx, American Indian) in graduate/health professional school programs. The 25 program participants are required to formally apply to the program, attend monthly cohort meetings, biweekly advising meetings with the Program Director and Graduate Assistant, submit required deliverables on time, and ultimately apply to graduate/health professional school programs. The overarching goal of HCRPI-M is to develop the “Competitive Edge” so the Scholars will be on track for successful admission into Graduate and Health Professional School Programs. Additionally, HCRPI-M Scholars will receive Standardized Test Preparation (GRE, MCAT, DAT, PCAT, etc.), Educational Materials, financial support for a Summer Research Experience, and a Competitive Stipend.  
•   NC-HCAP General Support   
  • Additional funding will support a Graduate/Health Professions Speaker Series, Clinical Shadowing Opportunities, Simulated Laboratory Experiences, etc.