Hundreds of healthcare students will become recipients of funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Award funds totaling $96 million will help fund scholarships and grants for students demonstrating need and coming from disadvantaged backgrounds.

A portion of the funds are from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which is designed to strengthen the health care system.

"The health professions workforce in the United States does not reflect the population it serves," said HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "These funds will help support the education of disadvantaged students who are more likely to go on to serve in underserved areas, and will expand the training of nurse faculty in exchange for their service."

Under health care reform, more Americans will be required to have health insurance. Some people are concerned that the growing number of people with coverage will create longer waits for doctor visits and other care services unless more health professionals are hired.

The Association of American Medical Colleges says that the country could be facing a major shortage of doctors in the near future. To help alleviate the potential shortage of medical staff, the AAMC is supporting a 30 percent increase in enrollment in medical schools.