National Healthcare Program

1. What is the National Healthcare Program?
The National Healthcare Program is an educational scholarship initiative aimed at supporting and empowering Emiratis to obtain the necessary qualifications to work in the healthcare sector. It is one of the initiatives under the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (NAFIS). The program targets UAE nationals holding a high school as a minimum requirement and offers enrolled participants fully funded scholarships, end-of-semester financial incentives, and employment opportunities either during their studies through the "Emirati Student Employee" contract or after graduation upon meeting the required conditions.

3. Has the initiative been officially launched?
Yes, the initiative has been officially launched. Eligible candidates from the targeted categories can apply to the listed academic programs once the registration period opens for the academic year.

3. Has the initiative been officially launched?
Yes, the initiative has been officially launched. Eligible candidates from the targeted categories can apply to the listed academic programs once the registration period opens for the academic year.

4. Who is the target audience?
All UAE nationals who are job seekers and hold a high school or higher.

5. Is registration done through the university’s website?
Program details and registration links will be made available through the official websites of the educational institutions listed under the National Healthcare Program on the NAFIS platform.

6. Does the initiative target bachelor’s degree holders pursuing postgraduate (master’s) studies?
Currently, the program targets high school graduates and the approved academic tracks under the bachelor's degree level, as per the published program schedule.

7.What is the duration of study under the National Health Program? 
The duration of study varies depending on the program track and the policies of each educational institution. On average, bachelor’s degree programs take approximately 4 to 4.5 years to complete, while specialized diploma programs typically require around 2 years of study.
 
8. Is there a limit to the study costs, or are they fully covered? 
The National Health Program offers a comprehensive scholarship that fully covers tuition fees throughout the entire duration of study, until all academic and graduation requirements are successfully completed.
 
9. Can citizens register for the program if they have lost access to their UAE Pass account on the Nafis platform? 
Registration cannot be completed without an active UAE Pass account. In case you have lost access to your account, please visit selfcare.uaepass.ae/account-recovery and follow the provided instructions to recover it.
 
10. What are the available communication channels for inquiries about the program?
For any inquiries related to the National Health Program, you may contact Nafis through one of the following channels:
 Email: info@nafis.gov.ae ,Call Center: 800 NAFIS
 Official Social Media Accounts: @nafis.uae
 You may also directly contact the admissions departments of the educational institutions participating in the initiative for program-specific inquiries.
 
11. What is the value of the financial incentive for students accepted into the program? 
The financial incentive is determined based on the student’s academic performance and cumulative GPA, according to the policy of the respective educational institution. Incentive payments are disbursed at the end of each semester.

12. Eligibility Requirements and Conditions for Joining the Program:

• Must be a UAE citizen.
• Minimum educational qualification: High school diploma.
• Must not be employed in the private, public, or semi-government sectors.
• Meet the minimum requirements set by the program.
• Meet the high school GPA requirement as specified by the program and the university.
• Pass the personal interview, as per the requirements of each university.
• Must not be sponsored or funded by another entity.
• During the program, join the workforce under a “Citizen Student” employment contract in participating healthcare facilities.
• After graduation, commit to working in a medical facility within the UAE for a period equivalent to the duration of the study program.
   

13. Can a student with an active Citizen Student employment contract continue to a bachelor’s degree after completing a diploma program? 
At present, the Council does not offer scholarships for pursuing a bachelor’s degree following the completion of a diploma. Upon graduation, the student’s “Citizen Student” contract will be converted into a permanent employment contract.
 
14. If a student withdraws before failing a course, who is responsible for the tuition fees: the student or the Nafis Council?
Tuition fees for each semester are paid in full to the university at the start of the semester, following the add/drop period. If a student withdraws after the permitted period, they are personally responsible for the tuition fees corresponding to the duration they were enrolled in the courses.

If a student obtains UAE citizenship, can they apply directly for the National Health Program scholarship?
 The Nafis Program is exclusively for UAE citizens, including those with a citizenship certificate and children of Emirati mothers. A student becomes eligible to apply for the program from the date their UAE citizenship is officially granted, provided they have obtained both their UAE passport and Emirates ID.

16. If a student previously withdrew from the National Health Program scholarship without a valid reason and wishes to reapply, can they do so, and what are the conditions?
 A student who has withdrawn from the program and fully reimbursed all amounts owed to the Nafis Council from their previous scholarship is eligible to submit a new application to the Health Sector Development Program. Reapplication is subject to the program’s official intake schedule. 

17.Can new students enroll in the scholarship under the Health Sector Development Initiative during the summer semester?
 Enrollment for new students in the Health Sector Development Initiative is available only during the academic year, specifically in the fall and spring semesters. Applications are not accepted during the summer semester.

18.If a student secures a position in a healthcare facility that requires part-time work, can they apply?
 Students enrolled in the Health Sector Development Initiative are eligible to work in healthcare facilities within their field of specialization, including in the private sector, through a “Citizen Student” employment contract, even if the position is part-time.:  

19. What requirements must a student fulfill when transferring from one university to another?
The UAE Emirati Workforce Competitiveness Council does not object to a student transferring to another university, provided that the student obtains prior written approval from the first party, and provided that the educational institution is among the entities registered in the National Healthcare Program. The institution must ensure the following points before starting the transfer:

• Clarify the reason for the transfer.
• Ensure that all credit hours from the previous major are accredited; any additional credit hours are the responsibility of the student.
• The transfer must occur before the end of the add/drop period.
• Confirm that there are no outstanding obligations with the previous university (i.e., a clearance certificate).

20. In the event of a student transfer between educational institutions within the Health Sector Development Initiative, which institution is responsible for submitting the transfer request?
 The receiving institution the university to which the student intends to transfer is responsible for submitting the transfer request.

21. If a student wishes to change their field of study, what steps must the educational institution follow?
 The educational institution must submit a formal request to the Nafis Council for approval before implementing the change, ensuring the following:

•  Provide a clear justification for the change of specialization. 
• Confirm that the new specialization is approved under the Health Sector Development Initiative.
• Ensure that all previously earned credit hours are recognized; any additional hours required by the new specialization will be the student’s responsibility.
• Submit the request after the conclusion of the current semester.

22.  If a student is enrolled in preparatory courses or admitted on a conditional basis, does the Council cover tuition fees for the subsequent semester if the student still requires academic preparation?
Conditional admissions are no longer offered, and as such, the Council does not cover tuition fees in these cases.

22. If a student is enrolled in remedial courses or has conditional acceptance, does the council cover tuition fees for the second semester if the student still needs academic qualification?
Admission of students under conditional acceptance has been discontinued.

23. Can a withdrawn student’s seat be replaced by another student applying for the scholarship?
No, a withdrawn student's seat cannot be directly replaced by another. Each case is reviewed individually. Students interested in applying for the healthcare scholarship must submit their own applications.

24. Does the National Competitive Emirati Workforce Council (NAFIS) cover retroactive payments for students’ scholarships?
No, NAFIS does not pay retroactive scholarships; payments are only made starting from the current semester of enrollment in the initiative.

25. Are students already enrolled in an educational institution before the cooperation agreement eligible for the scholarship?
Students are eligible for the NAFIS scholarship only after a Memorandum of Understanding is signed with the educational institution.

26. If a student started in a foundation course for other specializations and then transferred to the College of Health Sciences within the educational institution, can they sign the NAFIS contract?
Yes, students can be accepted into the NAFIS scholarship program after signing a direct cooperation agreement. There are no restrictions on their participation based on existing regulations.

27. If a student is employed and resigns, can they apply for the healthcare scholarship assuming they never received it before?
The scholarship conditions require that the applicant is not currently employed. Therefore, an employed student is ineligible.

28. If a student has been enrolled in health programs at the educational institution since Fall 2022 but did not apply for the scholarship until after two years, can they be accepted?
Yes, there is no rule preventing acceptance. Scholarship payments will commence from the date of approval and contract signing. The student must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

29. If a student’s scholarship inside the country was suspended, can they still join the program? The student has been registered at the Technical College since Fall 2022.
Acceptance is possible, subject to review of the suspension reasons by the previous institution. Payments will start from approval and contract signing, and the student must have a minimum GPA of 2.0.

30. If a student signed a study contract but does not wish to work in the private health sector, can they apply for government sector jobs?
Yes, students under the healthcare program can work in either public or private health facilities, per the regulations requiring employment in a UAE medical institution for a period equal to the program duration.

31. If a student signed a study contract but refuses to complete a work contract with the health facility during the study period, what happens?
Refusal to sign a work contract breaches the student contract law. Relevant ministry regulations will apply.

32. When can beneficiaries add their banking information?
After reading and accepting the scholarship terms via the digital ID, beneficiaries can enter their banking details to receive payments, choosing either a prepaid card or a bank account.

33. How can beneficiaries choose or change their payment method if not previously selected?
Beneficiaries can log in with their UAE user account on the NAFIS platform and update their payment preference under their profile.

34. What should beneficiaries do if they do not receive their payments on time?
They can check payment status on the NAFIS platform or contact the call center at 800-NAFIS.

35. Is there a contact number or email for payment inquiries?
Yes, call 800-NAFIS or email info@nafis.gov.ae.

36. Is the prepaid card from First Abu Dhabi Bank secure?
Yes, it is a secure and reliable payment method, with cards delivered via express mail to the beneficiary’s address.

37. What if a beneficiary’s bank account is closed during payment processing?
Payments will fail; beneficiaries must update their bank details on the NAFIS platform.

38. Can beneficiaries split payments across multiple bank accounts?
No, only one bank account can be registered for receiving payments.

39. What documents are required to update bank account details?
Bank account number, account holder’s name, bank name, and a certified IBAN statement.

40. Will beneficiaries be notified when bank details are updated?
Yes, notifications will be sent via the NAFIS platform.

41. Are there penalties for submitting incorrect bank details?
No penalties, but payments may be delayed until corrections are made.

42. Can beneficiaries track the status of their payments?
Yes, via the NAFIS platform.

43. Can payment requests be made in currencies other than AED?
No, all payments are made in UAE Dirhams.

44. Are advance payments for emergencies allowed?
No, payments are made at the end of each semester based on GPA.

45. What support is available for beneficiaries unfamiliar with online banking?
Beneficiaries may choose prepaid cards or seek assistance from their banks regarding IBAN accounts.

46. Are there fees or deductions for interbank transactions?
No fees or deductions apply.

47. How are returned payments handled?
If bank details and cards are valid, no returns occur. Issues will be resolved with NAFIS.

48. How are beneficiaries notified of banking system outages?
Banks notify beneficiaries via email, SMS, or app alerts.

49. What measures are taken to reduce fraud risk?
Beneficiaries must not share verification codes with anyone.

50. Will payment delays occur due to interbank processing times?
No delays will occur.

51. Can bank details be updated?
Yes, but updates must be done before the 15th of the payment month.

52. What happens if bank details are updated after the 15th?
Payments may be delayed until corrections are processed.

53. Is monthly bank detail updating required?
No, only as needed.

54. Is a student entitled to scholarship benefits during academic suspension?
No, benefits pause during suspension and resume upon return.

55. If a student is enrolled in another training program, can they apply directly for the healthcare scholarship?
No, students cannot enroll in two training programs simultaneously.