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 .

Medical Scholarships 2024 List

Dual Medical/Philosophy Degree Waiver (Biomedical Research Scholarship Student Waiver)

This award is for international graduate students who are accepted into a clinical and biomedical sciences program at an eligible public institution in Texas. The student must hold a competitive academic scholarship or stipend from their institutions.
Award Amount

Total:  $728840

Awards:  76

Deadline

Deadline: 

Outstanding Undergraduate Student Scholarship

This award is for a full-time undergraduate student attending an Oregon institution and pursuing a degree relevant to wildlife sciences. Applicant must be a member of the Oregon Chapter of The Wildlife Society.
Award Amount

Total:  $600

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  December 07

Kathy Johnson Outreach Scholarship

This award is for a non-traditional undergraduate or post-baccalaureate student. Applicants must attend an Oregon school and pursue a degree in a field of study related to wildlife science.
Award Amount

Total:  $600

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  December 07

Outstanding New Graduate Student Scholarship

This award is for first year graduate students who are members of the Oregon Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Applicants must be enrolled full-time and pursuing a degree relevant to wildlife science at an Oregon institution.
Award Amount

Total:  $1000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  December 07

Arkansas Health Education Grant Program (ARHEG)

This award is available to Arkansas graduate students who are studying dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, or chiropractic medicine at an eligible out-of-state institution.
Award Amount

Total:  $5000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  July 01

Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program (NEALP) for Future Nurses

This award is for Ohio undergraduate students who are pursuing a career in nursing. The student must serve as a registered nurse in Ohio after graduation for loan forgiveness.
Award Amount

Total:  $1620

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  July 15

Carol Bauhs Benson Scholarship

This scholarship is available for U.S. students who are residents of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin. Students must have completed a minimum of one year of an accredited dental hygiene certificate/associate’s program with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, and must be professional or student members of American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA).
Award Amount

Total:  $1000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  February 01

Colgate ‘Bright Smiles, Bright Futures’ Minority Scholarship

This scholarship is available for U.S. students who are studying in a certificate or associate’s program for dental hygiene and are professional or student members of ADHA. Students must be an underrepresented minority in the dental hygiene profession (e.g., African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, and males).
Award Amount

Total:  $5000

Awards:  2

Deadline

Deadline:  February 01

Colorado Graduate Grant

This award is for Colorado resident graduate students who are enrolled in an eligible postsecondary school in Colorado. The students must demonstrate financial need and be enrolled in an approved critical career degree program as identified by Colorado Commission.
Award Amount

Total:  $5899600

Awards:  1400

Deadline

Deadline:  February 01

NM Allied Health Loan-For-Service

The purpose of the Allied Health Loan-For-Service is to increase the number of physician assistants in areas of the state which have experienced shortages of health practitioners, by making educational loans to students seeking certification/licensure in an eligible health field which include the following: Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Speech-Language Pathology Audiology Pharmacy Respiratory Care Laboratory Technology Mental Health-Social Services Emergency Medical Services Nutrition Dental Hygiene As a condition of each loan, the student shall declare his/her intent to practice as a health professional in a designated shortage area within the state of New Mexico. For every year of service provided in a designated shortage area within New Mexico, a portion of the loan will be forgiven. If the entire service agreement is fulfilled, 100% of the loan is eligible for forgiveness. Penalties will be assessed if the service agreement is not satisfied.
Award Amount

Total:  $12000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  July 01