Reviewed by:
Jonathan Preminger
Former Admissions Committee Member, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine
Reviewed: 3/27/24
Wondering how to get a full ride to medical school? This guide outlines everything you need to know about medical school scholarships and free med schools.
Every student has access to scholarships. It’s important to remember that financial aid is out there, and chances are you can find a way to finance your MD education. Scholarships and grants are the best forms of financial assistance since they don’t require repayment.
Not all scholarships come from schools; many independent organizations offer scholarships to eligible individuals. We’ll examine some of the best full-ride scholarships for U.S. medical students. Read on to learn more about types of scholarships, medical schools with free tuition, and more. Let’s get started!
General List of Medical School Scholarships
Medical school can be costly, so a full-ride is a best-case scenario to mitigate costs. A full-time scholarship could cover your tuition and many other school expenses, including the cost of living. In this section, we will cover many great med school scholarships and how you can get them.
Free Medical School Scholarships
What’s better than getting a scholarship? Getting a free scholarship! Many of these scholarships require you to apply to the school. But once you’re in, the scholarship is applied to all students, which can really help save on your education.
Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
- Amount: Full tuition waiver for all students for the full four years
- Application Process: Automatically applied to all admitted students, no separate application needed.
- Eligibility: All students admitted to the MD program starting in Fall 2024
- Deadline: N/A
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Focus your medical school application on demonstrating your commitment to providing high-quality, affordable healthcare to underserved communities, as this aligns with Kaiser Permanente's mission.
New York University Grossman School of Medicine
- Amount: Full-tuition scholarship for all students
- Application Process: Automatically awarded to all students, no separate application required
- Eligibility: All students admitted to the MD program
- Deadline: N/A
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Highlight your academic achievements, research experience, and desire to work in an urban setting serving diverse patient populations. NYU values students who are innovative thinkers and leaders.
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
- Amount: Full tuition scholarship covering tuition and select fees
- Application Process: Automatically awarded to all students admitted to the 5-year MD program
- Eligibility: Students admitted to the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine MD program, which focuses on training physician-scientists
- Deadline: N/A
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Demonstrate a strong interest and aptitude for research, as this program is designed for aspiring physician-scientists. Showcase any prior research projects, publications, and long-term career goals in academic medicine.
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS)
- Amount: Students receive full tuition coverage
- Application Process: Requires a separate application and acceptance into a U.S. military branch
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens who commit to at least seven years of active-duty military service after completing medical training
- Deadline: Varies based on military branch
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Emphasize your leadership skills, physical fitness, and commitment to serving the country. Prior military or ROTC experience is helpful. Be prepared to fulfill the multi-year service requirement if selected.
University of Central Florida College of Medicine
- Amount: Full four-year scholarships for some students
- Application Process: Separate scholarship applications typically required
- Eligibility: Scholarships are competitive and selection criteria vary
- Deadline: Varies, check with the financial aid office
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Excel academically and aim for a high MCAT score, as merit is an important factor. Get involved in research, volunteer work, and extracurriculars to build a well-rounded profile. UCF looks for students who will contribute to the diversity of the medical school class.
Medical School Scholarships for Pre-Med Students
Medical school can be expensive, but thankfully there is a variety of different scholarships that can reduce your expenses. Below is a list of the four scholarships we recommend.
National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program
- Amount: Covers tuition, fees, other educational costs and provides a living stipend
- Application Process: Submit online application, essay, letters of recommendation, and proof of U.S. citizenship
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen or national, enrolled or accepted into an accredited medical school, willing to do a primary care service commitment after residency
- Deadline: April 25, 2024
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Demonstrate a strong commitment to working in underserved communities. Highlight any relevant volunteer work or clinical experience in your essay.
Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
- Amount: $5,000 to $10,000
- Application Process: Submit application form, essay, resume, transcripts, and letter of recommendation
- Eligibility: Resident of U.S., Puerto Rico or D.C., have completed at least one year of undergraduate or graduate study by Spring 2024, have at least one year of school remaining, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Deadline: Typically late June
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Emphasize academic achievements, leadership experience, and community involvement in your essay and resume. Clearly articulate your career goals in healthcare.
Physicians of Tomorrow Awards
- Amount: $10,000
- Application Process: Nomination from medical school dean, submit CV, personal statement, letter of recommendation, and transcript.
- Eligibility: Rising 4th-year medical student, U.S. citizen, demonstrates a commitment to the community, strong academic achievement, and leadership.
- Deadline: January 17, 2024
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Excel academically and take on leadership roles in medical school organizations. Participate in community service, especially in underserved areas.
American Medical Association Foundation Minority Scholars Award
- Amount: $10,000
- Application Process: Submit online application, personal statement, letter of recommendation, CV, and proof of U.S. citizenship.
- Eligibility: Identify as African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American or Asian Pacific Islander, U.S. citizen, 1st or 2nd year medical student, demonstrate financial need and academic excellence.
- Deadline: Feb. 23, 2024
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Share compelling personal stories in your essay that highlight challenges you've overcome. Describe how your experiences have shaped your goal of becoming a physician.
Federal Scholarships
The federal government offers medical school scholarships to students. Below is a list of a few national med school and pre-med scholarships available to any U.S. student who meets the requirements.
NHSC Scholarship (The National Health Service Corps)
- Amount: tuition, eligible educational costs, and a monthly stipend for living expenses in exchange for military service.
- Application Process: To begin the NHSC scholarship application process, applicants must complete an online eligibility screening. If applicants do not pass the initial screening, they cannot continue with their application. If passed, applicants will submit their personal information, degree information, and two letters of recommendation. Applicants must also submit a 500-word essay and any additional supporting documents required.
- Eligibility: To be eligible for the NHSC’s scholarship program, you must be enrolled full-time or accepted into an accredited medical school. You must be a U.S. citizen or naturalized.
- Deadline: April 27th, 2024
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: This is a great scholarship for future primary care workers. When answering the NHSC’s essay question, you must stress your commitment to working with and helping underserved communities. Like any application, you want your writing to reflect honesty and authenticity, so be sure to speak from the heart when you write about your interest in primary care.
The Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)
- Amount: tuition, educational fees, and a monthly stipend in exchange for military service.
- Application Process: Before applying, check your military service eligibility. Once confirmed, you must gather all supporting documents, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc. You will need to apply to HPSP at the same time you apply to medical schools. During this time, you will also need to contact a military recruiter for whichever service branch (Army, Navy, Air Force) you are interested in joining. A few more steps are involved in applying to HPSP, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the entire process before you begin.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens committed to military service. Academically, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.2 and meet all other requirements. Additionally, the average MCAT score for scholarship recipients is 509, so you should aim for a score of 509 or higher. Applicants must also be fit to join the military, so checking your eligibility requirements for the Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Army is essential.
- Deadline: Rolling application (no deadline).
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: The HPSP scholarship focuses on academic excellence and military fitness. It’s crucial then that you concentrate on keeping your GPA and MCAT scores high and your physical fitness sharp to be a competitive applicant.
Medical School Merit Scholarships
Many med school scholarships are set up around merit. These scholarships are not necessarily associated with specific colleges but are competitive nonetheless. Below we have included an example of a competitive merit-based scholarship.
The Inspira Advantage MED Scholarship
- Amount: $1,000+ for tutoring or guidance services
- Application Process: To begin, applicants must follow Inspira Education on social media (Youtube, Facebook, or Instagram). Their application package must include a two-minute video answering a few questions (listed on the website) and a 250-word personal essay discussing the applicant’s identity. Finally, applicants must complete Inspira’s Google application form, where they can submit both their video and 250-word essay.
- Eligibility: Anyone can apply.
- Deadline: November 15th (Fall) or May 15th (Spring)
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: When answering the application questions, focus on the impact you will make on your community and society by becoming a physician. Inspira is interested in understanding your unique personality, so don’t be afraid to be as authentic as possible. Talk about the thoughtful and impactful ways you will use this scholarship if awarded.
There are also merit-based scholarships associated with particular colleges. School-specific merit scholarships are typically highly competitive, meaning that most colleges only grant them to a handful of students.
Below, we have listed some merit-based scholarships and their affiliated schools.
Twenty-First Century Scholars Program (Perelman School of Medicine, UPenn)
- Amount: full tuition.
- Application Process: All students accepted into UPenn’s Perelman School of Medicine are automatically considered for this scholarship.
- Eligibility: There are 34 scholarship spots awarded to students who display outstanding academic achievements and unique life experiences. UPenn is looking for students who demonstrate leadership and authenticity.
- Deadline: No deadline; automatic consideration upon acceptance.
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: While focusing on your academics is important, don’t forget about the importance of life experiences. Academic excellence will inevitably make you a strong contender for this scholarship. Still, things like clinical experiences, research work, volunteer experiences, clubs, and hobbies will help you stand out on a personal level.
Ranch Family Leadership Scholarship (Duke)
- Amount: Full tuition, fees, transportation, and allowances for living expenses.
- Application Process: All students accepted into Duke’s School of Medicine are automatically considered for this scholarship.
- Eligibility: Duke offers this scholarship to an incoming first-year med student who has displayed academic excellence and a serious commitment to the medical profession.
- Deadline: No deadline; automatic consideration upon acceptance.
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Prioritize academics and clinic and research experience. Duke’s Ranch Family Leadership Scholarship wants someone who has made a dedicated effort to become a physician and has the experience and grades to show it. Volunteer and work within the medical community to distinguish yourself.
The Dean’s Tuition Scholarship (Duke)
- Amount: Full tuition.
- Application Process: All students accepted into Duke’s School of Medicine are automatically considered for this scholarship.
- Eligibility: Duke offers this scholarship to incoming med students with academic excellence and diverse backgrounds. Diversity factors range from life experiences to demographics to individual characteristics that single students out as people who will bring a unique perspective to Duke.
- Deadline: No deadline; automatic consideration upon acceptance.
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Ensure you have a diverse resume and authentic personal essay. While academic excellence is considered, being able to express your unique personal experiences and individuality is fundamental to attaining this scholarship. Be sure to emphasize how your interests, hobbies, experiences, and lifestyle make you the special person you are.
Robert W. Woodruff Fellowships (Emory University School of Medicine)
- Amount: Full tuition and a four-year stipend during studies.
- Application Process: All students accepted into Emory University’s School of Medicine are automatically considered for this scholarship.
- Eligibility: Emory offers this scholarship to four first-year med students and two MD/Ph.D. students who have displayed outstanding academic achievement, strength of character, impressive leadership and communication skills, a strong motivation for medicine, and creativity.
- Deadline: No deadline; automatic consideration upon acceptance.
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Focus on being authentically you during your application process to Emory. This scholarship is about strength of character as much as academic excellence, so don’t be afraid to take on leadership roles, find clinical and research positions, and engage wholeheartedly in your hobbies (particularly ones related to the medical field). This will show Emory both your character and your commitment to medicine.
Vanderbilt Merit-Based Scholarship (Vanderbilt University School of Medicine)
- Amount: 75% of the total tuition amount.
- Application Process: All students accepted into Vanderbilt University’s School of Medicine are automatically considered for this scholarship. The office of MD Admissions is responsible for awarding this scholarship.
- Eligibility: Vanderbilt offers this scholarship to all incoming med students, national and international alike. There is little information regarding eligibility.
- Deadline: No deadline; automatic consideration upon acceptance.
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Focus on your academics. Since this is a merit-based scholarship, high GPA and MCAT scores will be your distinguisher. If you are struggling with either of these, there are some excellent online tutoring resources to help boost your marks.
Medical School Scholarships for Minority Students
Some organizations offer scholarships for minority students who want to attend med school. Think about your family history, where you intend to practice medicine, and your socioeconomic background. These things, along with your goals and aspirations, may make you a perfect candidate for one of the following scholarships.
Minority Scholars Award (AMA)
- Amount: $10,000.
- Application Process: To apply, applicants must submit their transcripts, resume, letters of recommendation, and a financial statement completed by the UCSF Financial Aid Office. In addition to this, applicants must submit a one-page personal essay explaining their medical career goals. For more details, check out AMA’s application process.
- Eligibility: This scholarship is awarded to minority students (African-American/Black, American Indian, Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native, and Hispanic/Latino) to promote diversity in medicine.
- Deadline: N/A
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Write your personal essay emphasizing the importance of diversity in the medical community. Highlight how your presence in the medical field is both necessary and essential.
The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
- Amount: $90,000.
- Application Process: The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans fund 30 students going into graduate or professional studies. To apply, students must submit proof of enrollment, proof of status (your own and your parents), proof of academic standing, and two personal essays. Applications are submitted through an online portal.
- Eligibility: The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans were set up to fund immigrants and children of immigrants in the U.S. The applicant can be American through birth, naturalization, adoption, or green card. However, both applicants’ birth parents must have been non-US citizens born outside of the US and ineligible for US citizenship at the time of their births. See the complete list for more information on eligibility.
- Deadline: October 26, 2024
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Begin writing your personal essays early. By beginning your essays early, you can edit, revise, and rewrite to craft stronger essays. You will also be able to ask others for editing help too, including professors or mentors. The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship website also provides a guide to writing essays so be sure to check that out.
Scholarships for Black Medical Students
As mentioned, some scholarships are set up specifically for minority groups in the U.S. Below, we have listed a few such scholarships available to Black American medical students.
Empire State Medical Association Scholarship Award (The National Medical Fellowships, NY)
- Amount: $2,500.
- Application Process: To apply, students must visit The National Medical Fellowships’ online application portal, where they will need to upload a personal statement specific to this scholarship as well as the following:
- Transcripts;
- Any required personal documents (birth certificate, passport, etc.);
- Resume;
- Letter(s) of recommendation; and,
- Any required financial and academic documents (see general documentation requirements).
- Eligibility: Applicants must be African-American and enrolled in an accredited New York City medical school for the coming academic year. Applicants will be required to provide proof of acceptance.
- Deadline: April 8, 2024
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Utilize your lived experiences. When writing your personal statement or contacting recommenders for your letters, do not be afraid to be vulnerable and radically honest about your lived experience as a person of color. Let this be an opportunity for your voice to shine.
United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
- Amount: Varies; over $100,000,000 is available annually to applicants through different programs.
- Application Process: UNCF offers numerous scholarship opportunities for American med students of color. One such scholarship is UNCF’s The United Health Foundation Diversity in Health Care Scholarship. To see the many different scholarships available, check out UNCF’s website.
- Eligibility: While different scholarships have different eligibility requirements, UNCF set up their scholarships to provide financial aid to Black American med students.
- Deadline: Varies per scholarship.
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: While many of our previous tips have emphasized your individuality, there is incredible power in explaining how your lived experience, as a student of color, has been a shared one. Don’t forget this when you write your personal essays.
Many organizations offer more than one scholarship to Black American students, such as the Brown Medical and Educational (MAE) Foundation. While only one of MAE’s scholarships is specific to med school, they offer a few others to African-American students going into college that may be applicable.
Scholarships for Chinese-American Medical Students
If you are a Chinese-American medical student, some great funding resources are available to help you cover the cost of med school.
The Chinese American Physicians Society hosts an annual scholarship of $2,000-$5,000 for students going into osteopathic medicine. Applicants do not have to be Chinese, but they must be particularly focused on serving the Chinese community in the U.S. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2024.
CAMS Scholarship (Chinese American Medical Society)
- Amount: $5,000
- Application Process: To apply for the Chinese American Medical Society’s CAMS Scholarship, applicants must submit their entire application via email to CAMS. This application must include: some text
- A CAMS application form;
- Applicant's Current Curriculum Vitae;
- A Letter from the student’s Dean, verifying the applicant is in good standing with their institution;
- Two letters of recommendation.
For more details on the application process, see the CAMS website.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be first-, second-, or third-year med or dentistry students and current or pending CAMS Student members. CAMS does not mention ethnicity, though it is implied that all applicants must be Chinese-American.
- Deadline: March 31, 2024
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Develop strong relationships with both your recommenders and, if possible, your Dean. If you can cultivate a strong working relationship with these three people, you’ll be more likely to receive positive and impactful letters of recommendation.
Scholarships for Native American Medical Students
There are many scholarship opportunities available to Native American med students. One excellent online resource is Affordable Colleges Online (ACO), which has a full state-by-state list of Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). TCUs offer unique scholarships and learning opportunities for Native American students seeking higher education.
Aside from ACO, we have also listed a few individual scholarships below.
Health Professions Scholarship (Indian Health Services)
- Amount: Varies; the Indian Health Service (IHS) offers three different scholarship opportunities to Native American med students.
- Application Process: When applying to any of the IHS scholarships, students have to submit their official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and an applicant essay. These documents will be assessed and scored for one cumulative score. Your cumulative score will then be ranked against other applicant scores.
- Eligibility: In order to be eligible for any of IHS’ scholarships, students must have proof of both tribal/village membership and American citizenship. Applicants must also have a high school degree and a minimum GPA of 2.0. Check out the rest of Indian Health Service’s scholarship requirements to see if you are eligible for application.
- Deadline: Varies per scholarship.
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: In your applicant essay, emphasize how you will use your med school degree to serve Native American communities across the U.S. Write about how your interests in medicine and career goals will help American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Gerald D. Peet Scholarship 2023-2024 (NativeForward Scholar Funds)
- Amount: Needs-based amount.
- Application Process: Unclear. The NativeForward Scholar Funds website has listed contact information for any questions regarding their application.
- Eligibility: To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in a full-time accredited college pursuing a degree in medicine. Applicants must also commit to two years of post-graduate medical work serving Native American communities.
- Deadline: June 1, 2024
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: While this scholarship has many vagaries, one clear thing is that their ideal candidate is committed to serving Native American communities after their medical degree. Emphasize this in your application letter and/or personal essay.
NativeForward Scholars Fund has a long list of other scholarships specifically available to native students. Not all are for med students, though, so be sure to read through the listings carefully.
Scholarships for Hispanic Medical Students
If you are a Hispanic med student, many scholarships are available to help you cover the cost of med school tuition. We have compiled a few below, as well as some excellent online resources that you can use to find more opportunities.
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)
- Amount: $500-$5,000, as well as career services, mentorship opportunities, and more.
- Application Process: HSF offers 10,000 of these scholarships to Hispanic American med students. Students must apply online via the HSF portal by creating a profile and uploading all required documents. Applicants must submit state-based financial aid forms as well as proof of enrollment. To apply for an HSF scholarship, visit their website.
- Eligibility: HSF applicants must be American and Hispanic or of Hispanic descent. They must have a 3.0 GPA for high school students or 2.5 GPA for college and grad students.
- Deadline: Feb 15, 2024
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: The HSF’s scholarship seems to be both a merit- and needs-based scholarship. Therefore, you must explain why you need this scholarship, how it would be helpful, and what it would allow you to do for yourself and your community.
The Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship (NHHF)
- Amount: $2,000 to $5,000
- Application Process: Students must apply via The National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF) online portal. It is through this portal that applicants will upload all the following required documents:some text
- A two-page personal statement;
- A PDF letter of recommendation (one);
- Proof of citizenship;
- Proof of enrolment;
- Unofficial transcript; and,
- Current curriculum vitae (education, employment, extracurricular activities, awards).
- Eligibility: To be eligible for application, students must have a 3.0 GPA and proof of full-time enrolment in an accredited American medical institution. While applicants must be American citizens, they are not required to be Hispanic; however, they must have an affinity for the health of Hispanic communities.
- Deadline: Sep 15, 2024
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Aside from exceptional academic achievements, we recommend that you work or volunteer within Hispanic medical communities —the more of a leadership role you can take on, the better. NHHF wants to see that you are committed to genuinely helping Hispanic-American communities.
The Latino Medical Student Association National Scholarship (LMSA)
- Amount: $500.
- Application Process: The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) will award ten med students $500. To apply, applicants must submit their proof of enrollment, transcripts, two short essays (a personal statement and a short-answer essay), and the LMSA application form. Applicants must also be current and paying members of LMSA. Students must submit their applications through the LMSA online portal.
- Eligibility: To be eligible, applicants do not have to be Hispanic or Latino/a/x; however, they have to be committed to improving the health and safety of Hispanic and Latino/a/x communities in the U.S.
- Deadline: August 1st, 2024 (expected)
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Get involved with Hispanic, Latina/o/x, and other underserved communities around you. LMSA wants to see that you are committed to supporting the health, care, and education of Hispanic, Latina/o/x, and other underserved communities. Volunteer, work, or join a club to get involved.
The JP Sánchez LGBTQ+ Health & Leadership Award (LMSA)
- Amount: $500+.
- Application Process: Students must be current members of The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) before applying. Applicants must submit a personal statement, proof of enrolment, resume, and the LMSA application form to apply. Students must submit their applications through the LMSA online portal.
- Eligibility: Though applicants do not have to be LGBTQ+, Hispanic, or Latino/a/x, they must show their desire to work with and care for LGBTQ+, Hispanic, and Latino/a/x communities across the U.S.
- Deadline: August 1st, 2024 (expected)
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: LMSA gives applicants the option of submitting a letter of reference. We always recommend doing this, as it will only be a boon to your application. If your recommender is involved with LGBTQ+, Hispanic, or Latino/a/x groups, this is even better, as it will speak to your commitment to these communities.
Scholarships for Medical Students With Disabilities
If you are a med student living with a disability, there are many scholarship opportunities available to you. These scholarships range in terms of disabilities, from physical to autoimmune. We have included a variety of scholarships below, but be sure to do your research to find the scholarships that best cater to you.
The AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability (AAHD)
- Amount: Varies; maximum available funding is $1,000.
- Application Process: In order to apply for the American Association on Health and Disability’s (AAHD) scholarship, applicants must submit a two-page personal statement, two letters of recommendation, most recent unofficial transcripts, and proof of disability. All students must apply through the AAHD online portal.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be American citizens with a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act and enrolled in full-time post-secondary studies. Applicants do not necessarily have to be studying health or medicine; however, preference is given to those students.
- Deadline: March 1st, 2024.
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Prioritize community service and/or volunteer experiences. While the AAHD mentions that preference will be given to students studying medicine, they also give preference to students with volunteer and community service experiences. Bonus if your volunteer work is in health services.
The AbbVie Immunology Scholarship is another excellent scholarship for med students with a disability. Specifically, it is available to students who live with the following inflammatory diseases:
- Ankylosing spondylitis;
- Crohn’s disease;
- Hidradenitis suppurativa;
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis;
- Psoriasis;
- Psoriatic arthritis;
- Rheumatoid arthritis;
- Ulcerative colitis; and,
- Uveitis.
Recipients are awarded up to $15,000, regardless of financial need.
The AbbVie Immunology Scholarship is currently closed; however, it will reopen in November 2023, so be sure to mark this date in your calendar.
Another excellent scholarship is the John Lepping Memorial Scholarship, which is available to students with disabilities. The scholarship is for up to $5,000. Like the AbbVie Scholarship, the John Lepping Memorial Scholarship currently has a deadline of June 1, 2024.
To be eligible, students must:
- Provide proof of disability;
- Demonstrate academic achievement; and,
- Be a resident of New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania.
To apply, applicants must submit their application form and other required materials to apply.
Scholarships for Jewish Medical Students
Religion is another possible determinant for scholarships. In this case, there are many scholarships and awards available to Jewish students going into or already studying medicine. Below are just a few of these kinds of scholarships.
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Vocational Service Scholarship (JVS Chicago)
- Amount: Varies; up to $4,000 available.
- Application Process: You can apply through their online portal. When applying, students must submit the following:some text
- Two professional and/or academic letters of reference with the accompanying JVS Letter of Reference Form;
- Applicant IRS Forms filed for the two previous years;
- Students under the age of 26 and/or married students must submit parents’ and/or spouse's/partner’s IRS Forms filed for the two previous years;
- Proof of tuition and fee costs;
- Proof all outstanding student loans; and,
- Official academic transcript (if in school, from present school; if not in school, from the most recent school attended).
- Eligibility: All applicants must be Jewish and a Chicago local, either born or currently living and working in Chicago. Applicants must be either planning on studying in or moving back to Chicago after their medical degree. Check out JVS Chicago’s full list of requirements.
- Deadline: February 1, 2024
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Be honest and open about your financial needs. JVS has placed high importance on understanding their applicants' financial background, meaning their scholarship is needs- and merit-based. Be honest then about how helpful this JVS scholarship will be to you.
Aside from individual scholarships, there are great organizations that offer more than one scholarship to Jewish students. For example, the Jewish Federation of Northeast New York offers several grants and scholarships. To view their award opportunities, check their academic scholarships page.
The Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland (JFSA) is another such example. JFSA offers multiple awards to Jewish students in the greater Cleveland area, including the Alumni and Friends of JFSA College Financial Aid Program Scholarship. For a list of awards and opportunities, check their scholarships page.
Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Medical Students
There are numerous scholarships available to American LGBTQ+ med students. The Pride Foundation, for example, offers a ton of awards annually to improve the educational experience of LGBTQ+ students and activists. In fact, with just one application, eligible candidates can apply to over 60 Price Foundation scholarships.
Leadership Scholarship (Women in Medicine)
- Amount: $5,000.
- Application Process: To apply, students must submit a Leadership Scholarship Application form, two letters of recommendation, and their resume. See Women in Medicine’s application form and requirement list for all other eligibility requirements.
- Eligibility: Women in Medicine offers two scholarships to LGBTQ+ female students enrolled in their first, second, or third year of med school. All applicants must have been already enrolled in med school for six months before applying.
- Deadline: March 15, 2024 (expected)
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Get involved in your LGBTQ+ community. Giving back to your community through volunteer leadership roles will be a massive boon to your application for the Women in Medicine Leadership Scholarship. Plus, you can foster a relationship with a potential future recommender through volunteering or working.
Sexual orientation is not the only factor when it comes to some LGBTQ+ scholarships. The Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship is dedicated to the memory of AIDS activist Pedro Zamora. The scholarship aims to support the academic careers of young activists. The scholarship awards up to $5,000 to applicants who meet the criteria. You can apply through ScholarsApp here.
Scholarships for Women in Medicine
Numerous scholarships are available if you are an American woman already enrolled in or planning to attend med school. For example, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) offers multiple scholarships for women in medicine. Their awards include the Irene and Daisy MacGregor Memorial Scholarship, the Dr. Francis Anthony Beneventi Medical Scholarship, and more.
The Lynn Adamson Memorial Scholarship (Women Health Care Executives)
- Amount: $5,000 with a one-year membership to the WHCE.
- Application Process: To apply, applicants must submit their resume, current unofficial transcript, a letter of reference, and a WHCE application form to the WHCE email. Outstanding academic achievements are crucial for a successful application.
- Eligibility: To be eligible, applicants must be graduate-level female students residing in the San Francisco Bay Area. See the WHCE website for more eligibility criteria.
- Deadline: February 27, 2024
- Inspira’s Tips for Securing this Scholarship: Try to take on leadership roles during your undergraduate degree. The WHCE emphasizes the need for their scholarship winner to display leadership and integrity. Try to take an active role in any of your volunteer, clinical, and/or research experiences.
Peace Corps and Military Scholarships
Finally, the Peace Corps and the U.S. Military are other institutions that offer scholarships to med students who have completed a certain amount of service. Volunteering through the Peace Corps may make you eligible for the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program scholarships.
The U.S. military offers programs for students who have enrolled in the army. Most programs pay for one year of school for each service year.
FAQs
Still curious about the ins and outs of scholarships? That’s okay; we got you covered. Below we’ve listed some common questions and their answers to help you.
1. How Many Medical Scholarships Can I Apply for?
You can apply for as many medical scholarships as you’d like. It’s a good idea to apply for as many as possible, even the small ones. Smaller scholarships often have less competition and may be easier to get.
2. How Do I Find Scholarships for Med School?
The best way to find med school scholarships is through online databases or search engines, like the ones listed below.
3. Can Non-U.S. Citizens Get Medical Scholarships?
Yes. There are many scholarship opportunities for non-U.S. citizens and international students. Check with your school for specific international scholarships, and search online for scholarships available to non-U.S. citizens.
4. Which Medical School Gives the Most Scholarships?
NYU Grossman covers tuition for all incoming students as long as they maintain satisfactory academic performance. Therefore, NYU is one of the top med schools that releases the most financial aid.
5. Can I Study Medicine in the U.S. for Free?
It’s possible if you attend a medical school that covers tuition costs. However, “free” is subjective: some schools waive just tuition, others may help you pay for other expenses on top of educational fees, and you must factor in living costs too.
Apply for Scholarships, Enjoy an Affordable Med School Experience
Getting into medical school is a huge accomplishment, but tuition and living expenses can make it seem daunting. Scholarships are a wonderful reprieve from this financial stress.
When researching medical scholarships, consider your goals, background, and identity. Along with federal or merit scholarships, hundreds of organizations offer generous awards to students who meet their eligibility criteria.
Your research can begin anywhere. Try talking to your guidance counselor about local opportunities, using online scholarship portals, talking to teachers, and more to see what’s out there. If you need financial aid, apply to as many scholarships as possible, no matter how small.
Good luck with finding the best medical school scholarships!
.svg)
