Medical Scholarships

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How Do You Get Medical School Scholarships?

Medical school scholarships could reduce your need to borrow federal and private student loans. You may use these scholarships for medical school to help cover tuition, fees, and living expense.  In order to get a scholarship, the first place to look is the school’s financial aid office. Some med schools offer scholarships based on GPA, MCAT scores or financial need. Student aid may also come in the form of a grant or fellowship.

Professional med associations may also be a resource. The Chinese American Medical Society (CAMS) offers up to 5 awards of $5,000 each to Asian Americans. These go to first, second and third year medical students with financial need. The American Medical Association (AMA) offers the Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship. It is for students entering their final year of med school. 

You may also find LGBTQ awards and scholarships for women pursuing medicine. Women in Medicine (WIM) will present two, $5,000 LGBTQ Leadership Scholarships for female medical students enrolled in in their first, second or third year. It can be an allopathic, osteopathic, or naturopathic medical school in the United States or Canada. 

Why is Medical School Expensive? 

Medical education is a lengthy process, so the cost may add up. Physicians first need a four year bachelor’s degree. Then, another four years of medical school. Also, another 3 to 7 years in internship and residency.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the four year cost to attend medical school for the class of 2020 was more than $275,000 at over half of all med schools. It was also more than $350,000 at 19 schools. As a result, the typical medical school student graduates with about $200,000 in loan debt. Scholarships are financial aid you don’t typically pay back. So, securing medical school scholarships may lessen the need to take out loans as well as reduce overall costs.

10 Medical School Scholarships You Should Apply for in 2021

Here are 10 scholarship opportunities for medical students. If you meet the eligibility requirements, apply today!

  1. Pfizer Global Medical Grants Program
  2. Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
  3. Health Professions Scholarship Program
  4. Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarship
  5. Dr. James L. Hutchinson and Evelyn Ribbs Hutchinson Medical School Scholarship
  6. Anarcha, Betsy and Lucy Memorial Scholarship Award
  7. Buckfire & Buckfire Medical School Diversity Scholarship
  8. EMPOWER Scholarships 
  9. Linda Craig Memorial Scholarship Program 
  10. Black Medical Students Scholarship 

Could You Get a Full Ride Scholarship for Med School?  

Full ride scholarships for students in medicine tend to pay tuition, mandatory fees and a stipend for living expenses. They may be available from the government and military as well as some schools. Several of today’s reputable med schools offer full tuition scholarships to students who cannot afford the cost. 

Many medical schools do look for incoming students based on their academic performance. So, whether it’s a full ride or full tuition, you may have to gain admission first. Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania is one example. It provides about 30 full tuition medical school scholarships each year. The school factors in your character, leadership skills and interests. 

Are There Scholarships for Pre Med Students? 

Yes, there are scholarships for premed students. Eligible applicants may need to complete the FAFSA, have qualified SAT/ACT scores, above average GPA and references. Some of these scholarships may be available to new first year students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a health focused major.

You may find pre med scholarships from accredited colleges with healthcare programs. For example, Latino and Hispanic students at the University of Texas at Austin might apply for the Alejandro Miguel Solis Scholarship

Make sure to also check organizations that offer financial assistance to students in STEM fields. The Barnes W. Rose, Jr. and Eva Rose Nickol Scholarship Fund is for high achieving graduates of Albuquerque High School. Eligible applicants must plan to major in science, tech, engineering or math. You also need a 3.6 GPA or above.

How Do You Pay for Medical School with Federal & State Financial Aid?

There are several federal and state financial aid programs that could help pay for med school. The US military also offers scholarships for med school in exchange for a service commitment.

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is from the HRSA. They award medical school scholarships to students pursuing eligible primary care health professions. In return for a full year of scholarship support, you must commit at least two years of full time patient care in an under served area.

Indian Health Professions Scholarship.The IHS Scholarship Program is for qualified Native American and American Indian students. In return for financial support, you commit to two years of service in Indian health communities.

Scholars for a Healthy Oregon Initiative (SHOI). SHOI funding help pay full tuition and applicable fees for a limited number of eligible students entering specific clinical degree programs at OHSU. In return, you work in a medically under served urban or rural area of the state.

Does the Military Help Pay for Medical School?

Joining the armed forces may help you graduate from medical school debt free. The Health Professions Scholarship (HPSP) is from the U.S. Army. Other branches such as the Navy and Air Force also offer this scholarship for medical school with different rules.

HPSP covers full tuition for any accredited medical program, plus a generous monthly stipend of more than $2,400. There’s also a sign on bonus of $20,000 and an allowance for books. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college. When  you graduate, you must commit to active duty as a commissioned officer. Graduates are required to serve the U.S. Army for each year that they received the scholarship.

List of 2024 Medical School Scholarships

Check out our list of scholarships worth .

Legacy Scholarship Program

This award is for U.S. students who are children of a career or volunteer emergency medical technician (EMT), paramedic, or firefighter (active, formerly active, retired or deceased) and are interested in a career in emergency medical services (EMS).
Award Amount

Total: $1250

Awards: 7

Deadline

Deadline: March 22

IHS Health Professions Pre-Graduate Scholarship

This scholarship is available for American Indian and Alaskan Native undergraduate students who are studying pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-optometry, or pre-podiatry. Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
Award Amount

Total: $127678

Awards: 40

Deadline

Deadline: March 28

IHS Health Professions Scholarship Program

This scholarship is available for American Indian and Alaskan Native undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a full- or part-time study program leading to a degree in a health-related profession for one of the health career priority categories as determined by Indian Health Services. Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
Award Amount

Total: $192016

Awards: 245

Deadline

Deadline: March 28

BECA Foundation General Scholarship

This award is for Hispanic students graduating from a high school in San Diego County, California.
Award Amount

Total: $750

Awards: 10

Deadline

Deadline: March 30

Alice Newell Joslyn Medical Fund

This award is for Hispanic students from San Diego County, California who are majoring in a health-related or medical field.
Award Amount

Total: $1250

Awards: 5

Deadline

Deadline: March 30

SAEMS Environmental Scholarship

This award is available for international and U.S. undergraduate and/or graduate students who attend or plan to attend the University of Arizona. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and pursue a career in the environmental arena.
Award Amount

Total: $2250

Awards: 9

Deadline

Deadline: March 31

A&WMA Connecticut Chapter Student Scholarship

This scholarship is available for Connecticut high school seniors and currently enrolled undergraduate students who are pursuing a course of study in science or engineering leading to a career in the environmental field, especially air pollution control or waste management.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: April 01

Maine Campground Owners Association Scholarship

This scholarship is for Maine undergradute students who plan to study for a career in outdoor recreation. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
Award Amount

Total: $500

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: April 01

Stephanie Carrol Scholarship

This award is available for U.S. students who are majoring in nursing with a speciality in geriatrics or long-term care.
Award Amount

Total: $5000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: April 01

Chinese American Physicians Society Scholarship

This award is available to students enrolled or planning to enroll in medical school, regardless of race, sex, or home town.
Award Amount

Total: $3000

Awards: 5

Deadline

Deadline: April 01