The rising costs of medical education place a significant financial burden on aspiring medical professionals. From tuition fees to the expenses associated with clinical rotations and specialized training, the path to becoming a healthcare provider can be financially daunting. Scholarships play a vital role in alleviating this burden, enabling deserving students to pursue their dreams without the constant worry of financial constraints.
In this comprehensive guide, we explore a diverse range of scholarship opportunities for medical students. Whether you’re interested in a specific field of study, belong to a minority community, or reside in a particular location, you’ll find scholarships tailored to your unique needs and background. Let’s delve into these opportunities, empowering you to take control of your educational journey.
This extensive guide covers over 50 different medical school scholarships across diverse specialties and focus areas.
General Medical Scholarships
These scholarships are open to all medical students regardless of specialty.
BoardVitals Medical School Scholarship
BoardVitals awards $2,000, $1,000, and $500 scholarships annually to three medical students demonstrating academic excellence.
Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
This scholarship provides 35 students each year with awards ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 during their final year of undergraduate studies before medical school.
James “Rhio” O’Connor Mesothelioma Scholarship
This is a $1,000 monthly scholarship for medical students who have lost a parent or loved one to mesothelioma.
White Coat Investor Scholarship
Over $70,000 is awarded annually to medical students who submit essays about financial literacy and planning.
Physicians of Tomorrow Awards
The Physicians of Tomorrow Award is offered through the American Medical Association (AMA) as part of their Accelerating Change in Medical Education initiative. The purpose of the award is to provide financial assistance to exemplary students who show promise as future leaders in medicine.
Ten scholarships of $10,000 each are awarded annually to third-year M.D., D.O., and M.D.-Ph.D. students at participating medical schools. The awards are merit-based and recognize applicants who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership skills, professionalism, and a commitment to service.
To be eligible, students must be nominated by their medical school. The application involves submitting a CV, personal statement, and letters of recommendation. The program aims to increase diversity among recipients.
USA Medical and Surgical Scholarship
This bi-annual $1,000 scholarship is open to medical students in various specialties.
Specialty-Specific Scholarships
These scholarships target medical students interested in particular specialties.
Psychiatry
American Psychiatric Association Medical Student Fellowship
This $2,500 award supports medical students pursing careers in psychiatry and mental health advocacy.
Dentistry
ADEA/Sigma Phi Alpha Linda DeVore Scholarship
This $2,500 scholarship is awarded to dental students showing academic excellence and dedication to service.
Nursing
GNYNSF Medical & Nursing School Scholarship
The Greater New York Nurse Scholarship Fund provides $2,500 scholarships to nursing students from the New York metropolitan area.
Physical Therapy
APTA Mary McMillan Scholarship
This $5,000 scholarship from the APTA supports high-achieving physical therapy students who demonstrate leadership.
Public Health
Kaiser Permanente Health Professions Scholarship
Kaiser Permanente offers scholarships up to $2,500 for students planning careers in public health.
Minority and Disadvantaged Medical Student Scholarships
These scholarships aim to improve minority representation in healthcare.
Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarship
The AAMC provides five $5,000 scholarships annually to support underrepresented minorities in medicine.
National Medical Fellowships
Awards between $5,000-$7,000 are available through NMF for minority students pursuing an MD or DO degree.
Location and Background Based Medical Scholarships
Some scholarships are limited to certain regions, states, or backgrounds. We are adding to this list on an ongoing basis, so make sure to bookmark this page and check page for updates.
Pennsylvania
Lycoming County Medical Society Scholarship
This scholarship is for medical students residing in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.
Scott A. Gunder, MD, DCMS Presidential Scholarship
Second-year medical students in Pennsylvania are eligible for this $2,500 scholarship.
Myrtle Siegfried, MD and Michael Vigilante, MD Scholarship
This scholarship provides $2,500 annually to first-year medical students from specific counties in Pennsylvania.
Endowment for South Asian Students of Indian Descent
South Asian medical students in Pennsylvania can apply for this $2,500 annual scholarship.
Montgomery County Medical Society Scholarship
Medical students residing in Montgomery County, PA are eligible for this $2,500 scholarship.
Lehigh County Medical Auxiliary Scholarship
This scholarship provides $2,500 annually to medical students from Lehigh County, PA.
Allegheny County Medical Society Scholarship
Need-based scholarships are awarded to medical students residing in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Indiana
William A. Crawford Minority Teacher Scholarship
This $2,500 scholarship supports African American and Hispanic students from Indiana planning to teach medicine.
Alaska
Alaska Space Grant Program Undergraduate Scholarship
Alaska undergraduates including those studying aerospace medicine can receive up to $4,000.
Michigan
Kalamazoo Community Foundation Medical School Scholarship
This scholarship provides $5,000 awards to medical students from Kalamazoo County, Michigan.
Massachusetts
Dr. Lillie R. Wyman Memorial Scholarship
Massachusetts residents attending medical school in New England are eligible for this $1,000 – $1,500 scholarship.
North Carolina
North Carolina has several scholarship opportunities for aspiring doctors and medical professionals from the state:
The Doctor Shortage Scholarship
This scholarship provides $1,000 – $5,000 awards for North Carolina residents enrolled in medical school or a PA, NP, nursing, or related allied health program in the state.
North Carolina Medical Society Foundation Scholarships
The NCMS Foundation offers several scholarships for North Carolina residents including the Applebaum Scholarship, Medical Student Scholarships, and Forgivable Education Loans for primary care.
North Carolina Albert Schweitzer Fellows Program
Fellowship awards are provided to graduate students in health related fields who complete a service project addressing local health needs.
North Carolina Area Health Education Centers Scholarships
AHEC connects students to various local and regional scholarships and loans if they practice in North Carolina after graduation.
University of North Carolina Need-Based Scholarships
UNC has numerous need-based scholarships for North Carolina residents pursuing medical degrees including the Carolina Medical Scholarship and Blue Ridge Rural Scholars Program.
Carolinas CarePartners Scholarship
Scholarship and loan opportunities are available for North Carolina residents training at Atrium Health who commit to practicing in the state.
Medical Scholarships for Virginia Students
Several Virginia medical scholarship programs:
Virginia Medical Scholarships
The Virginia Department of Health offers full-tuition scholarships for Virginia residents attending medical or dental school in the state. Recipients must commit to practicing in underserved communities.
University of Virginia School of Medicine Scholarships
UVA Med School provides scholarships based on merit and need for Virginia residents. This includes the Rector and Visitors Discovery Scholarship covering full tuition.
Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Scholarships
VCU offers several donor-funded scholarships ranging from $1,000 to full tuition for Virginia residents enrolled at the medical school.
Eastern Virginia Medical School Scholarships
EVMS administers scholarships and grants for Virginia residents based on financial need and background. Award amounts range from $1,000 to $25,000.
University of Virginia Physician Loan Repayment Program
The UVA Department of Family Medicine offers up to $120,000 in loan repayment assistance for residents who practice primary care in underserved Virginia communities.
Additional Medical, Biomedical, and Science Scholarships
More medical related scholarships based on various criteria are listed below.
- Gates Millennium Scholarship – For minority, high-achieving students from low-income households. Awards complete undergraduate and graduate funding.
- Catching the Dream Scholarship – For Native American students pursuing graduate healthcare degrees including medicine.
- AOTF Scholarships – For students in occupational therapy programs. Awards up to $5,000.
- The U.K. Gupta Family Scholarship – General scholarship for all medical students with awards up to $10,000.
- Ludo Frevel Crystallography Scholarship – For undergraduate and graduate students in crystallography fields. Awards up to $2,500. (Note: The detailed analysis of crystal structures of protein–ligand complexes allows the study of the specific interactions of a particular drug with its protein target at the atomic level. It is used to design and improve drugs).
- CME Beef Industry Scholarship – For students pursuing careers in beef production medicine and related fields.
- American Indian Nurse Scholarship – For students who are members of a federally recognized tribe pursuing degrees in nursing or health professions.
- SMART Scholarship – STEM funding including medical research from the Department of Defense. Full tuition plus stipend and employment.
- University of Rochester First Robotics Scholarship – Scholarships for students interested in engineering, science, or arts related to robotics. Robotics has been advancing within the medical field for the past decade or longer.
- James F. Reville Scholarship – For graduate students dedicated to improving lives of people with developmental disabilities.
- DOE Computational Science Scholarship – For PhD students in applied computation sciences including computational biology and medicine. Fully funded.
- DAR Medical Scholarship – For students enrolled in accredited nursing or medical programs. Awards up to $5,000.
- EPP Undergraduate Scholarship – STEM undergraduate scholarships related to NOAA’s mission including life sciences and public health. Award amounts vary.
- APS Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship – For undergraduates engaged in research related to physiology. Stipends up to $4,000.
- Freemont Scholarship – For Illinois students studying STEM or financial literacy. Award amount varies.
- Davidson Fellows Scholarship – Recognizes extraordinary young people who have completed service projects. Scholarships up to $50,000.
- UTC Westbrook Scholarship – For incoming University of Tennessee at Chattanooga freshmen majoring in chemistry or physics. Full tuition scholarship.
- Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship – For students who have promoted vegetarianism in their school or community. Awards up to $10,000.
- PG&E STEM Scholarship – For students pursuing STEM majors including health sciences and technology. Awards up to $1,000.
- Alliance Medical Education Scholarship – For Pennsylvania residents attending any PA medical school. Award amount varies.
- Automation and Control Scholarship – For students studying automation and control technology including biomedical majors.
- Dr. James L. Hutchinson Medical School Scholarship – For Silicon Valley residents aspiring to attend medical school. Awards up to $5,000.
- Targeting Excellence Scholarship – For University of Kentucky students majoring in food animal production including pre-vet students. Awards up to $6,000.
- Massachusetts Memorial Education Scholarship – General graduate scholarship for Massachusetts residents. Award amounts vary.
- Sprague Medical Scholarship – For students from Kent or Ottawa Counties in Michigan planning medical careers. Awards up to $3,500.
- Wondergem Health Science Scholarship – For students from Kent or Ottawa Counties in Michigan pursuing health science degrees. Awards up to $3,500.
- Oxbow Animal Health Scholarship – For students pursuing careers in small animal health and nutrition. Award amounts vary.
- Morris Emergency Services Scholarship – For students in Kent or Ottawa Counties seeking EMT, paramedic, or firefighting degrees. Awards up to $2,500.
- Elms College STEM Scholarship – For incoming students majoring in STEM fields including health sciences. Awards up to $4,000.
- Mental Health Scholarship – For graduate students pursuing mental health counseling careers. Awards up to $1,000 per year.
- Fontana Transport Scholarship – For college and vocational students who are current or former foster youth. Awards up to $5,000.
The journey to becoming a healthcare provider is filled with challenges, and financial constraints should not be a barrier to achieving your dreams. This comprehensive guide to scholarships for medical students offers a roadmap to financial support, tailored to various needs, locations, and fields of study. Explore these opportunities, apply diligently, and embark on a fulfilling career in medicine.
Frequently Asked Medical Scholarship Questions
What are some reputable websites for finding medical school scholarships?
Some great sites to search for medical scholarships include the AAMC’s scholarship database, Fastweb, Scholarships.com, individual medical school financial aid office pages, and organizations like the Gates Foundation and National Medical Fellowships. Having a centralized place to search listings like the AAMC’s database can streamline the process.
When is the best time to apply for medical school scholarships?
It’s ideal to start searching for and applying to scholarships at least a year before beginning medical school. Many have deadlines in the spring or summer prior to first year enrollment. However, students can and should continue applying for scholarships during medical school itself as well.
How do I create a strong application for competitive medical school scholarships?
Given the competitiveness, it’s important to craft a well-written personal statement highlighting your background, motivations, and future goals in medicine. Include details on leadership experience, research, and any service addressing healthcare disparities. Glowing letters of recommendation are also key. And have a complete profile showcasing academic achievement.
If I’m awarded a scholarship, are there requirements to renew it annually?
Renewal requirements differ across scholarships. Some automatically renew annually if you remain in good academic standing. Others require reapplying and demonstrating you still meet the eligibility criteria. Be sure to clarify renewal policies with the scholarship provider.
How do outside scholarships impact the financial aid package from my medical school?
External scholarships can allow you to reduce the amount of loans needed. But some medical schools will factor scholarship funds into their aid calculus, so the loans offered may decrease. Check with your school’s financial aid office about their scholarship coordination policies.
