From service-based scholarships to national awards, we’re highlighting the best scholarships for medical school. Paying for medical school can seem overwhelming. You’ve probably already braced yourself for 6-figure debt…even before taking the MCAT. Many medical students can reduce their debt load with money that does not have to be repaid. It takes a little patience and commitment, as well as looking in the right places.
Specific Scholarships for Medical School Students
| Agency | Overview | Amount | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force Health Professions Scholarship | Scholarships for physicians, dentists, pharmacists, optometrists, clinical psychologists, and nursing specialties. | $45,000 | Rolling |
| American Medical Association (AMA) Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship | Awards for 10 medical students who demonstrate leadership, academic excellence, and a commitment to uplift communities. You must be a third-year medical student to be eligible. | $10,000 | February |
| American Society of Hematology Medical Student Award | Available to first, second, or third-year medical students in the US, Canada, or Mexico. Involves conducting blood science research as an ASH mentee. | Up to $42,000 | February |
| Army Health Professions Scholarship | Intended for medical students in multiple disciplines (including Osteopathy), plus these fields: Dental, Veterinary, Nursing, Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Optometry. | Full tuition, plus up to $20,000 sign-on bonus | Rolling |
| Chinese American Medical Society (CAMS) Scholarship | First, second, and third year medical or dental students in good standing at an accredited U.S. institution. | Varies | March |
| Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarship | Multiple scholarships are available, including programs for nursing students. | Up to $5,000 | Varies |
| Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Scholarship | Multiple students enrolled in physician, nursing, psychology, laboratory science, and social work majors. | Varies | Rolling |
| Hispanic Scholarship Fund | Each year, 10,000 students are selected for awards. | Up to $5,000 | February |
| Indian Health Service Scholarship | Scholarships are designed for students who are willing to commit to working in Indian health communities. | Varies | February |
| Japanese Medical Society of America (JMSA) Scholarship | National scholarships are given to students who propose a clear, achievable project that will benefit JMSA and the Japanese community. | Up to $25,000 | December |
| Johnson & Johnson/NMF AIM Scholarship | Three-year service learning program for 2nd year PharmD students, as well as MD and DO students. | Up to $10,000 | July |
| Korean American Scholarship Foundation | Scholarships are given to qualified Korean American students (including foreign students from Korea). | Up to $5,000 | June |
| Leopold Schepp Foundation Scholarship | Must meet minimum GPA requirements. A personal interview in New York City is required of all applicants. | Up to $10,000 | July |
| National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship | NHSC awards scholarships to students pursuing an eligible training or degree program for a primary care health profession. | Varies | April |
| National Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship | Roughly 35 awards are given each year to students in the fields of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing (including BSN), Physician Associate, and Public Health. | $5,000 | August |
| National Medical Fellowships Scholarship | Applicants must be enrolled in culminating MD, MD/PhD, DO, or DO/PhD programs, unless otherwise specified. | Up to $25,000 | Rolling |
| Navy Health Professions Scholarship | On top of paying full tuition, a monthly stipend is also included. You will be required to apply for military residency training via the graduate medical-education selection-board process | Full tuition plus up to $20,000 sign-on bonus | Rolling |
| NIH Medical Research Scholar’s Program | This is a year-long research immersion program for future clinician-scientists. | Annual stipend | Sept – Dec |
| Panacea Financial Foundation Scholarship | Scholarships are aimed at helping to improve the underrepresented ethnic and racial minority pipeline of physicians. | $5,000 | May |
| Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans | Merit-based funding for New Americans, immigrants and children of immigrants, who are poised to make significant contributions to US culture, society and academia. | Up to $90,000 over two years | October |
| Piscano Leadership Foundation | Piscano helps to fund a four-year period beginning in the final year of medical school and through three years of residency training in family medicine. | Up to $28,000 | May |
| Point Foundation Flagship Scholarship | The Point Foundation supports LGBTQ+ and ally students. Awards are based, in part, on financial need. | Varies | November |
| TYLENOL® Future Care Scholarship | Dedicated to help students who pursue careers in healthcare. | Up to $10,000 | July |
| White Coat Investor (WCI) Scholarship | With help from sponsors, 10 scholarships will be awarded to help reduce total indebtedness. | Varies | August |
Pursuing Medical Scholarship Programs
There are some common eligibility themes you’ll find when pursuing medical school scholarships.
- U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
- Enrollment or acceptance at an LCME (Liaison Committee on Medical Education) or COCA (Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation) accredited school in the U.S.
- Ability to furnish a strong personal statement or essay
- Demonstrated leadership or mission alignment
- In some cases, a commitment to serve (i.e. military, underserved communities, field of medical specialty, etc.)
School Scholarships
Most medical schools offer scholarships and grants to help make medical education more affordable. Your school may be able to help you find scholarships that are not listed in national directories. You’ll also want to keep in mind that some scholarship awards are smaller amounts and may not cover all your expenses. But they can add up and help reduce your overall debt load; especially if you need to borrow loans to cover your costs.
Local Scholarships
When it comes to searching for local scholarships, conventional wisdom would suggest doing a Google search, going to your local library, or seeking out health or medical organizations in your area. But in the age of AI, you may want to amp up your efforts by leveraging a strong prompt. Here is a recommended framework you can plug into the AI research tool of your choice:
"I am a [year] medical student at [school name] in [city, state]. I'm looking for local scholarships to help fund my medical education. Please help me identify scholarship opportunities based on the following:
Geographic connections:
- Current residence: city, county, state
- Hometown/place I grew up: specific location
- Name/location of your medical school
Medical/career focus:
- Intended medical specialty or area of interest: family medicine, dentistry, pediatrics, etc.
- Plans to practice in underserved areas: yes/no, specify if known
- Interest in specific populations: geriatrics, veterans, etc.
Personal background:
- Demographic information: gender, ethnicity, first-generation college student, etc.
- Military affiliation: veteran, dependent, ROTC
- Religious or community affiliations: specific organizations, churches, denomination, community groups
- Undergraduate institution and major: school name, field of study
Financial and professional memberships:
- Medical school organizations I belong to: AMA, specialty interest groups, student government
- Community service or volunteer work: specific organizations, causes
- Banks or credit unions where I or my family have accounts
- Parents' employers or professional associations
- Any unique skills or experiences: languages spoken, research areas, advocacy work
Please help me find:
- Scholarships from local medical societies, hospital systems, and healthcare organizations
- Local/Community foundation scholarships in my area(s)
- Scholarships from professional associations related to my intended specialty
- Awards for students committed to practicing in specific geographic areas
- Opportunities from local service organizations (Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions Club, etc.)
Paying for Medical School Without Crushing Debt
We all know that paying for medical school is a major investment. Today, it costs north of $200,000 for a medical school education, on average. And scholarships can make a considerable impact.
Whether you’re interested in primary care, research, or a highly specialized field of medicine, there are programs that align with your goals and interests. Not only are scholarships, fellowships, and grants available, there are even medical schools that have drastically reduced the cost of attendance to make medical education more affordable.
Free Medical School
There are close to a dozen medical schools in the U.S. that offer free tuition or full tuition scholarships. This is not the same as having all your expenses covered, however. Schools that tout ‘free’ tuition or, endorse themselves as being more affordable, may cover tuition but not fees and living expenses. These costs can be sizeable over time. Make sure to do your homework and ask plenty of questions as you explore your options.
Medical Scholarship FAQs
What are the chances of winning medical school scholarships?
The chances of winning a medical school scholarship are not tracked on a national level. However, according to recent AAMC data, roughly 65% of graduating medical students received some form of non-loan financial assistance, such as scholarships, grants, and stipends. To increase your odds, you may want to try these tactics:
- Apply to multiple scholarship programs, including local, national, school-based, and community-based opportunities
- Focus on your specialty wherever possible
- Personalize and tailor your submissions
- Don’t ignore small awards that can add up
What are the eligibility requirements for most scholarships?
The most common requirements are:
- Academic performance (strong GPA) coupled with a good MCAT score
- Commitment to a particular discipline or willingness to work in underserved communities
- Financial need
Are scholarships only available to students pursuing a degree in the United States?
For the most part, yes. Most scholarship programs require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, along with enrollment in a U.S. based institution. But some programs may allow a study-abroad component.
Do I need to search for a variety of scholarships?
Students who apply for scholarships from multiple sources are more likely to receive scholarship funding. Start with your financial aid office and local organizations, then expand to national agencies and federal service programs. Be sure to sign up for email notifications also.
Are there scholarships for primary care doctors?
There are many scholarships for students interested in becoming primary care physicians. A number of these may be service based, meaning you would agree to work in rural areas or underserved communities for a fixed period of time.
Which schools offer full-ride scholarships?
Our sister article has a current list of schools offering full-ride scholarships (or free tuition).
Do scholarships pay for all four years of medical education?
Some scholarships cover all four years, but most are either renewable every year or only cover a single year of medical school. Thereafter, you would have to reapply or seek new funding sources. Coverage will depend on the scholarship program and eligibility criteria.
Are scholarship opportunities limited to financial need?
Scholarship opportunities are not limited to those with financial need. In fact, several awards are reserved for medical students with a strong academic track record, as well as those with interests in a particular medical discipline. And don’t forget that there are also programs reserved for those who are willing to meet service requirements. There are multiple ways to qualify for scholarships at the local and national level.
