Scholarships

Do medical schools offer scholarships?

Some do, but they are not common.

The biggest scholarships for med school are the HPSP and NHSC.

Both programs require a service payback in return for paying your tuition and fees plus an annual stipend for living expenses.

HPSP–Health Professions Scholarship Program is through the military. 4 year scholarships. (There might be some 2 year scholarships, but I’m not 100% sure of that.) Those accepted into the program must enlist in a branch of the military and meet all physical/psychological requirements of the service. Program participants are commissioned as officers when they accept their scholarship. You owe 1 year service for each year of scholarship. Payback begins after intern year or after residency is completed, depending upon individual circumstances.

NHSC–National Health Service Corp. 2, 3 and 4 year scholarships. Scholarship recipients must complete a residency in a primary care field (FM, IM, OB/GYN, Peds or Psych). Service payback begins upon completion of residency. Scholarship recipients work at federally designated medical underserved sites and owe 1 year of service for each year of scholarship.

A few states offer their own version of the NHSC scholarship to in-state students attending state public med schools. Please check your state’s Dept of Health to find out if your state sponsors one.

Once you are accepted by a med school, you might be able to get some financial aid info from the financial aid office. Some times you will be surprised what’s available.

30-40 years ago, my cousin got into Harvard, Yale and NYU medical schools, she then found out in NYU there is a full ride scholarship for four years with stipend for living expenses from a Doctor’s Estate. To qualify for that scholarship, you must be admitted to NYUSOM as first year student and a long time resident from a specific county in upstate NY. Yes, there are scholarships to be had, but it is RARE.