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Reviewed by:
Former Admissions Committee Member, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine
Reviewed: 4/25/24
Are you looking for some financial aid throughout your PA school journey? Take a look at our curated list of the best PA school scholarships in 2023.
Becoming a physician’s assistant (PA) is an excellent career choice for students who are interested in healthcare but don’t want to attend as much school as a doctor. PA school is typically two to three years in length and costs less money than medical school. However, attending PA school can still be challenging to afford for most Americans today.
If you’re looking for some stellar financial aid opportunities for PA school, you’re in luck! Here we’ll break down several excellent PA scholarships you should apply for this year. For each scholarship, we’ve included the amount of the award, the application deadline, and who can apply.
Let’s get started!
Here is our list of the top PA scholarships. If you need assistance preparing your scholarship material, don’t hesitate to set up a consultation with one of our admissions experts.
Let’s begin by talking about the four types of full scholarships offered by the military. The National Health Service Corps scholarship program, the Veterans Affairs Scholarship, the Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), and the Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) are all offered through branches of the military. Each scholarship pays full tuition and a monthly stipend in exchange for a few years of mandatory service.
To obtain the National Health Service Corps scholarship (full tuition and monthly stipend), you must commit to working in a medically underserved area or HRSA after graduation in order to be considered. You must also have already been accepted into a PA program before applying.
In exchange for active military service, the Airforce and the Navy both provide a full scholarship, monthly stipend, and reimbursement of qualified educational expenses. You must commit to a minimum of two years, with additional years added for each year you receive funding. To be eligible for this program, you must be a US citizen and have been accepted into a PA program.
The military also offers the Veterans Affairs Scholarship, which provides full tuition, educational expenses, and a monthly stipend in exchange for your commitment to working as a PA for the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Like other military scholarships, the length of your service must match the length of your scholarship.
The VA scholarship is available to all accepted PA students, although the program states that preference will be given to students with fewer years of education remaining.
Scholarship amount: Full Tuition + Monthly Stipend
Who can apply: Accepted PA Applicants
Deadline: Varies
The following scholarships are offered through the PA Foundation and its partners. This organization is the philanthropic arm of the American Academy of PAs and has stood as a major resource and granting body for PAs since its inception in 1977.
Because the following scholarships are all offered through one organization, they each share the same application window (April 24th to June 16th). To be eligible for these scholarships, you must:
Once more, the application window is open between April 24th to June 16th. Let’s dive into which scholarships are available through the PA foundation.
The general PA foundation scholarship is offered to all students who meet the above criteria. Several winners are awarded $1,000 each every application cycle. It is important to note that applicants must complete the PA Foundation Scholarship application in order to apply for any of the scholarships listed below.
Scholarship amount: $1000
Who can apply: Eligible PA students (criteria listed above)
The AAPA Rural Health Caucus Scholarship is offered through the PA foundation to students who come from a rural area and want to work in a rural area upon graduation. Two $2,000 awards are given out each application cycle to students who meet the eligibility criteria of this specific grant and the PA foundation.
Scholarship amount: $2000
Who can apply: PA students who commit to work in a medically underserved community
In each application cycle, several students who demonstrate service leadership through either their PA program or a community health organization are awarded $1,000 each.
Scholarship amount: $1000
Who can apply: PA students who demonstrate leadership
This scholarship is reserved specifically for students who identify as a member of an underrepresented minority group. You may also be eligible if you are economically or educationally disadvantaged, based on the definitions provided by the organization. Several students who meet the eligibility requirements are rewarded $2000 each application cycle.
Scholarship amount: $2000
Who can apply: Minority and/or disadvantaged PA students
The Ron Pace Memorial scholarship is offered in loving memory of Ron Pace, who was a veteran of the US Navy, the president of the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants, and a recipient of the AAPA Outstanding PA of the Year Award.
In his name, $1,000 is awarded to Florida-based students who are the child/dependent of a veteran and meet all other eligibility criteria.
Scholarship amount: $1000
Who can apply: Florida PA students with a Veteran parent or guardian
The Timi Agar Barwick Scholarship for Humanism in Medicine is awarded to students who identify as a member of an underrepresented minority group. You may also be eligible if you are economically or educationally disadvantaged, based on the definitions provided by the organization. Multiple students are chosen and are awarded $1000 each cycle.
Scholarship amount: $1000
Who can apply: Minority and/or disadvantaged PA students
Similar to the military scholarships we mentioned above, the William H. Marquardt Community Health Access Scholarship is awarded to students who plan to work in a medically underserved population. The goal of this $2500 award is to promote accessible primary and preventative care across the US.
Scholarship amount: $2500
Who can apply: PA students who plan to work in a medically underserved community
The Joyce Nichols Memorial Scholarship is offered in loving memory of Joyce Nichols, who was the first Black woman to be formally educated and work as a PA. She was also the first person of color ever to serve on the AAPA’s board of directors.
Joyce is remembered for her advocacy for people of color within the medical field and for establishing the AAPA Minority Affairs. To honor her accomplishments and legacy, the PA foundation offers $1000 to Black PA students.
Scholarship amount: $1000
Who can apply: Black PA students
The Women in Philanthropy scholarship awards $1000 to any incoming PA student who demonstrates passion, dedication, and advocacy for the improved healthcare of women and children around the world.
Scholarship amount: $1000
Who can apply: PA students who promote the healthcare of women and children
Here are some more PA scholarship opportunities for a wide variety of students and interests.
The Indian Health Service (IHS) organization offers generous scholarships to American Indian and Alaska Native PA students each year. This program offers varying amounts of financial aid to students in the medical field (of Federally recognized Tribes) who commit to serving in a full-time clinical practice post-graduation.
Scholarship amount: Varies
Who can apply: American Indian and Alaska Native PA students
Deadline: Varies
The American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants (AASPA) offers the Susan and Tom Lusty Memorial Scholarship, which awards at least one student with $1,000 for their PA education each year. To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must be in their didactic or clinical year, be in good academic standing, and demonstrate an interest in surgical practice.
Scholarship amount: $1000
Who can apply: PA students
Deadline: December 15th
If you are a PA student with a special interest in oncology, the APAO scholarship may be the award for you! The APAO rewards one $2,500 award to a PA student who is in their clinical year and demonstrates a keen interest in oncology. To view the full list of eligibility criteria, take a look at the APAO’s website.
Scholarship amount: $2500
Who can apply: PA students (clinical year) interested in oncology
Deadline: April 30th
The Physician Assistants in Orthopaedic Surgery (PAOS) offers the Susan Lindahl Memorial Scholarship in loving memory of Susan Lindahl, the wife and partner of PAOS founder Joe Lindahl. This award grants two eligible PA candidates with $5,000 each cycle. To be eligible, applicants must be in their clinical year of PA school and have a special interest in orthopedic surgery.
Scholarship amount: $5000
Who can apply: PA students (clinical year) interested in orthopedic surgery
Deadline: April 30th
The Society of Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants (SEMPA) provides the Paul S. Robinson Award to honor the memory of Paul S. Robinson, PA-C, who was a “long-time colleague, enduring supporter and admired leader.”
The program grants at least one $3000 award to a PA student in their clinical year, and at least one $1000 award to PA students in their didactic (or clinical) year. Applicants must have a special interest in pursuing a career in emergency medicine and be a SEMPA member to be considered.
Scholarship amount: Up to $3000
Who can apply: Didactic or clinical year PA students interested in emergency medicine
Deadline: November 30th
Here are our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about PA school scholarships.
Yes! You can get scholarships and awards for PA school. There are many ways to pay for PA school, including scholarships, awards, and financial aid.
It is possible to get a full-ride scholarship for PA school. For example, the US Army offers full-ride scholarships with monthly stipends to PA students who agree to a few years of active duty.
Yes, FAFSA covers PA school. You can apply for financial aid to PA school by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) offered through the federal US government.
Most students get financial aid for PA school if they can not afford to pay for school on their own. However, there are many excellent scholarship opportunities for PA students. If you do your research and spend time on your applications, a PA scholarship is certainly a tangible way to help pay for your PA education.
Getting a PA scholarship is within your reach! Although our list comprises some of the most well-known PA scholarships, it is important to keep doing research and applying to as many scholarships as you can. Even the small ones. Every little bit counts when it comes to financing your PA education.
If you’re stuck on your application or want help crafting your materials, consider consulting an admissions expert for end-to-end support with your PA school scholarship applications.
Good luck!
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