Scholarship Search

Scholarships and grants offer funding that you do not have to repay, which translates to less money that you have to borrow. Eligibility may be dependent on your financial need, academic achievement, and/or affiliation with certain organizations or be contingent upon a service obligation. Start your research well in advance of your application to medical school to ensure that you identify scholarships that fit your needs and interests and can meet early application deadlines.

Also check online for scholarships. Web sites such as www.fastweb.com and www.ed.gov contain scholarships databases that can help you find opportunities. Avoid companies or organizations that require a fee or make guarantees to help you identify a specific amount of money in scholarship aid. Other connections to pursue might include your local hospital or church, local businesses, and the government.

Contact local hospitals and ask to speak to a staff member in the human resources department about scholarship opportunities. Some hospitals and their foundations offer scholarships to medical students or financial aid in the form of tuition assistance in exchange for a specific number of years of employment after completion of residency.

Many religious institutions, through personal endowments, have funds available for members to further their education. Contact your church’s business office to inquire about such resources and any eligibility requirements.

Check out organizations such as the Optimists, Lions Clubs or Shriners because they may have scholarships or funding for students with your interests. Consider contacting local businesses as well.

Check with the medical schools that you are applying to, including the school’s office of minority affairs, for scholarship possibilities. Request a financial aid packet from the medical school’s financial aid office and ask about scholarship opportunities that are unique to that school. Many medical schools, for example, offer financial assistance to academically competitive medical students who demonstrate severe financial hardship. Make arrangements for you and your family to speak directly to one of the school's financial aid officers about your situation and the options available to you.