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!
Pfizer Global Medical Grants Program
Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
Health Professions Scholarship Program
Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarship
Dr. James L. Hutchinson and Evelyn Ribbs Hutchinson Medical School Scholarship
Anarcha, Betsy and Lucy Memorial Scholarship Award
Buckfire & Buckfire Medical School Diversity Scholarship
EMPOWER Scholarships
Linda Craig Memorial Scholarship Program
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.
This $5,000 award is given to honor three former enslaved women knowns as the Mothers of Gynecology. The award will be given to one (1) African-American woman who is a known descendant of American slaves, and is enrolled in an accredited US medical school program. Finalists will be interviewed by Dr. Thornton.
This award is available for U.S. graduate students who have been accepted to medical school or a student currently enrolled in medical school. Students must have graduated from a high school in San Mateo County or Santa Clara County, CA or have lived in that same area during high school.
This scholarship is available for American Indian and Alaskan Native undergraduate students. Students must enroll in a program of study for the following priority career programs: pre-clinical psychology (junior and senior years only); pre-nursing; pre-pharmacy; and pre-social work (junior and senior years only).
A U.S. student who is a high school senior planning to enroll at a two- or four-year engineering or science program at an ABET-accredited institution, and is the child or grandchild of a current SAE Detroit Section member, is eligible for this award. An eligible applicant must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrated financial need.
Graduate students in psychology are awarded up to $1,000 from the American Psychological Association to advance research on sexual orientation and gender identity
This award is for full-time graduate and undergraduate students involved in the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) or of Greek heritage. Applicants must major in engineering, medical studies, or nursing and must be a resident of Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, Deleware, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, or Washington, D.C..
The Albert W. Dent & Foster G. McGaw Graduate Student Scholarships are available for students who are currently enrolled in the final year of a graduate program in health administration. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, have U.S or Canadian citizenship, and must demonstrate unmet financial need.
The AMA Underrepresented in Medicine Award provides financial assistance to African American, Latino / Hispanic, or Native Americans / Native Hawaiians / Alaska Natives scholars who are dedicated to serving vulnerable or underserved populations.
Mississippi students pursuing a master’s degree in a program at a Mississippi college/university leading to licensure as a speech-language pathologist are eligible. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and agree to work in a Mississippi public or charter school district as a speech-language pathologist to forgive the loan.
This forgivable loan is available to Mississippi students who plan to attend an approved out-of-state school of optometry. Students must practice optometry in Mississippi full time after graduation for forgiveness of the loan.
