Medical school scholarships can be your silver lining for conquering massive tuition bills! According to research conducted by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the average total cost with expenses included of attending a four-year medical school program can range from a jaw-dropping $150,444 to an eye-watering $247,664! Yikes!
However, you have options! You can potentially lighten the financial burden of your medical education journey by applying for medical school scholarships. Indeed, earning a scholarship can help you achieve your dream of becoming a doctor without having to break the bank or spend the rest of your life paying off student loans. Also, scholarships are great for recognizing and rewarding your hard work, dedication, and passion for medicine.
That’s why I’ve searched and put together a list of over 50 places where you can apply for medical school scholarships. Whether you’re a current or incoming med student, these scholarships cover different backgrounds, interests, and needs so that you can find the best one for you. Bookmark this page!
Also keep in mind that it can be worth it to simply reach out to the schools you have been accepted to. You can ask for available scholarships for your personal situation.
This post is all about applying to medical school scholarships.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.
List of Places To Apply for Medical School Scholarships
Federal and Military Medical School Scholarships
Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) – The United States Armed Forces offers the HPSP program to provide financial assistance to medical students who are interested in serving in the military as healthcare professionals. It covers the full cost of tuition, fees, and books and provides a monthly stipend for living expenses. Consequently, recipients commit to serving in the military as active-duty physicians after graduation.
NHSC Scholarship (The National Health Service Corps) – Aimed at attracting healthcare professionals to work in underserved communities in the United States, this scholarship provides financial assistance to medical students in exchange for a commitment to work in a designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) after graduation. Also, it covers tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend for living expenses.
Yellow Ribbon Veteran’s Administration (VA) Program – Through a partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs and participating universities to provide additional financial aid to qualified veterans and their dependents, this program helps cover the difference between the GI Bill benefits and the actual cost of tuition and fees at a private institution or public institution with out-of-state tuition rates.
Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program – As a graduate fellowship program for returned Peace Corps volunteers, this program provides financial assistance. It also provides other benefits to eligible Fellows to pursue graduate studies, including medical school. Also, it emphasizes the importance of public service and working in underserved communities.
Merit-based Scholarships Offered by Medical Schools
Medical school scholarships based on merit award money to applicants who can demonstrate high achievements in a specific area. This can include an exceptional GPA or MCAT score, athletic performance, meaningful leadership positions. In addition, they also consider community involvement, impressive research projects or extracurricular achievements.
NYU Grossman School of Medicine Full-Tuition Scholarship – This scholarship covers tuition expenses and provides additional financial support for living expenses and other educational costs.
Twenty-First Century Scholars Program (Perelman School of Medicine, UPenn) – Specifically targeted at students from disadvantaged backgrounds, this program provides them with financial support to pursue their medical education.
Ranch Family Leadership Scholarship (Duke) – This scholarship focuses on identifying and supporting individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a commitment to serving their communities.
The Dean’s Tuition Scholarship (Duke) – As for this scholarship, it’s awarded by the Dean of Duke University School of Medicine, recognizing outstanding academic performance and professional potential in applicants.
Robert W. Woodruff Fellowships (Emory University School of Medicine) – Named after the renowned philanthropist Robert W. Woodruff, these fellowships offer full financial support for medical school, including tuition and living expenses.
Vanderbilt Merit-Based Scholarship (Vanderbilt University School of Medicine) – This scholarship is awarded based on academic excellence, and recipients are selected from the top tier of merit-based scholars at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
Medical School Scholarships from Private Foundations
Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship – Recipients of the scholarship can receive up to $10,000 towards their education expenses in 12 categories and a range of focus areas, including support for those who are underrepresented in the field of medicine.
Pisacano Scholars Leadership Program – The program provides a range of career advancement prospects and financial support in the form of scholarships to aspiring leaders in family medicine
Diversity and Minority Groups Scholarships
Minority Scholars Award (AMA) – This scholarship addresses the lack of diversity in the medical field by providing financial assistance to minority students studying medicine or a related healthcare field. Moreover, recipients of the Minority Scholars Award receive a monetary award to help cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other educational costs.
The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans – Established by philanthropists Paul and Daisy Soros, this fellowship program seeks to support young immigrants and children of immigrants in pursuing graduate studies in the United States.
The Inspira Advantage Medical Education and Diversity Scholarship – This scholarship program supports underrepresented minority students pursuing a career in medicine by providing financial assistance and mentorship opportunities. Certainly, it is designed to help these students overcome financial barriers and achieve their goals in the medical field.
AAMC Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarships – Awarded to medical students who have demonstrated leadership in addressing the needs of minority populations or disadvantaged communities. Additionally, these medical school scholarships recognize and reward students who are committed to promoting diversity and improving healthcare access and outcomes for underserved populations.
The Brown Medical and Educational Society Healthcare Scholarships – These scholarships are intended to address the disparities present in the healthcare system and ensure that individuals from all backgrounds have equal opportunities to contribute to the field.
United Health Foundation/NMF Diverse Medical Scholars Program – For minority students pursuing a career in medicine, the program offers financial assistance, mentorship, and leadership development opportunities to help these students succeed in their medical education and ultimately contribute to the diverse healthcare workforce.
Here are some more diversity and minority medical school scholarships based on specific categories:
Black Medical Students
- Empire State Medical Association Scholarship Award
- United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
- Brown Medical and Educational (MAE) Foundation
Hispanic Medical Students
- The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)
- The Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship (NHHF)
- The Latino Medical Student Association National Scholarship (LMSA)
- The JP Sánchez LGBTQ+ Health & Leadership Award (LMSA)
Asian-American Medical Students
- CAMS Scholarship (Chinese American Medical Society)
- Chinese American Physicians Society Scholarships
- Japanese Medical Society of America
- Ryu Family Foundation Seol Bong Scholarship
- Endowment for South Asian Students of Indian Descent Scholarship Fund
Native American Medical Students
- Indian Health Service Program (IHS)
- Gerald D. Peet Scholarship 2023-2024 (NativeForward Scholar Funds)
Jewish Medical Students
- The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Vocational Service Scholarship (JVS Chicago)
- Albert Strickler Memorial, Samuel F. and Sara G. Feinman, and Dr. Hirsch Herman Funds
Women
- Irene and Daisy MacGregor Memorial Scholarship
- The Lynn Adamson Memorial Scholarship
- American Medical Women’s Association Scholarships
- Wellesley College M.A. Cartland Shackford Medical Fellowship
- Saswati Gupta Cancer Research Scholarship
LGBTQ+ Students in Medicine
- The Pride Foundation
- GLMA LGBTQ Health Professionals Scholarships
- Leadership Scholarship (Women in Medicine)
- Point Foundation Scholarships
Students with Disabilities
- The AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability (AAHD)
- AbbVie Immunology Scholarship
- John Lepping Memorial Scholarship
- Caring 4 Carrie (C4C) Kidney Advocacy Scholarship
Other Scholarship Opportunities
Tylenol Future Care Scholarship – This annual scholarship program supports students pursuing a career in healthcare by providing financial assistance to selected individuals who have demonstrated leadership, academic excellence, and commitment to improving the health and well-being of others.
The White Coat Investor Scholarship – Specifically tailored for medical students who are seeking financial education and guidance, this opportunity supports the future generation of physicians in making informed decisions about their personal finances and managing their student debt.
Balancing Act Medical Student Scholarship – This $500 scholarship is open to all undergraduate and graduate students in medicine, regardless of their gender. However, preference will be given to applicants who are focused on women’s health and those who manage work alongside their studies.
Maxwell Tuan Nguyen Memorial Scholarship – Established in honor of Maxwell Tuan Nguyen. This $1000 scholarship provides students with opportunities to create a meaningful impact in their chosen field.
5 Tips When Applying for Medical School Scholarships
Here are a few tips to help you ace your applications. This list will definitely increase your chances of winning that well-deserved financial support.
- Begin the process early by ideally researching scholarships several months before you plan to apply. Also, give yourself enough time to gather information and meet the deadlines for each scholarship.
- Customize your applications to what each scholarship organization is looking for and values the most. For example, if a scholarship focuses on community service, focus on your volunteer experiences in healthcare settings.
- Highlight distinctive experiences and achievements that set you apart from other applicants, such as medical research, leadership roles, volunteer work, or unique personal stories that showcase your passion for medicine and helping others.
- Craft strong essays and personal statements that demonstrate your commitment to the field of medicine. Also, be genuine, share your motivations, and highlight any challenges you have overcome. Make sure to proofread and ask for feedback to ensure your writing is clear and makes an impact.
- Seek recommendation letters from mentors or professors who can speak to your qualities and accomplishments. Furthermore, provide them with relevant information about your goals and experiences to help them write compelling letters of recommendation.
If you are still in the med school application process and feel overwhelmed by tackling another application (to scholarships) on top of that – in my online course Road to Acceptance, I will guide you through each step in the med school application process. Therefore, no more Reddit and trying to figure it all out by yourself. You can simply follow my proven step-by-step strategies with tons of resources, worksheets, templates and video lessons. As a result, this will make this application cycle easier, faster and much more successful for you.
Plus, you save the money applying to any of the wrong schools or having to go through the whooole thing again next year in case you just didn’t know about so many of the common mistakes.
Summing Up: Searching for Medical School Scholarships
So there you have it – over 50 places where you can apply for medical school scholarships. From big-name organizations to local foundations, there are endless opportunities waiting for you to grab.
Remember, applying for scholarships can be competitive, but don’t let that discourage you. With a little perseverance, research, and genuine passion for pursuing a career in medicine, you can make your dreams of becoming a doctor a reality.
So go ahead, believe in yourself, and apply for these medical school scholarships. Definitely, your future self will thank you. Good luck!
Related Posts
How Much It Costs To Apply To Medical School in 2024
How to Negotiate Financial Aid for Medical School (read the email that got me a full ride)
Leave a Reply