Top 26 Medical School Scholarships: A Guide to Fund Your Dream

Medical School Is Expensive—But It Doesn’t Have to Leave You in Debt

Pursuing a medical degree is an incredible achievement—but also a significant financial commitment. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), more than 70% of medical students graduate with debt, and in recent years, that debt has averaged over $200,000 per student.

While the cost of medical school continues to rise, numerous scholarships exist to help reduce or even eliminate that burden. Whether you're planning to serve underrepresented communities, have financial need, or demonstrate academic excellence, there's a scholarship for you.

This guide outlines 26 of the most well-known and impactful scholarships for medical students in the United States—including eligibility, coverage, and how to apply.

And if you're seeking to strengthen your application with real-world clinical exposure, explore our global health internships in Kenya and Tanzania, offered by Go Elective. Many scholarships value international clinical experiences, and our programs can help you stand out.

How to Secure a Scholarship for Medical School

Know Your Scholarship Type

Medical school scholarships typically fall into several categories:

• Merit-based: Awarded for academic achievement or leadership.
• Need-based: Determined by your financial situation.
• Demographic-specific: Tailored to support minority or underrepresented populations.
• Service-based: Rewarding commitment to underserved communities or specific specialties.

Apply Early and Often

The earlier you start the process, the better your chances. Many scholarships require nomination, essays, or recommendation letters—give yourself time to compile a strong application.

Why Global Health Experience Can Help

If you’re taking a gap year or seeking ways to enhance your application, consider a Go Elective internship. You’ll shadow doctors in resource-constrained hospitals, contribute to public health outreach, and gain cultural competency—all of which align with the missions of many scholarship programs.

26 High-Impact Scholarships for Medical Students in 2025

1. Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund

• Eligibility: U.S. citizens with demonstrated financial need attending select universities.
• Award: Full tuition + $18,000 stipend
• Application: Through your school’s financial aid office

2. United Health Foundation/NMF Diverse Medical Scholars

• Eligibility: Underrepresented 2nd–4th-year med students
• Award: $7,000 renewable annually
• Application: Apply online via NMF
  

3. Physicians of Tomorrow Awards (AMA)

• Eligibility: U.S. med students in their final year
• Award: $10,000
• Application: Must be nominated by your school

4. Tylenol Future Care Scholarship

• Eligibility: U.S. residents in medical, nursing, or pharmacy grad programs
• Award: $5,000–$10,000
• Application: Apply online with essay and GPA

5. Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarships (AAMC)

• Eligibility: 3rd-year med students committed to serving underserved groups
• Award: $5,000
• Application: School nomination required

6. National Health Service Corps (NHSC)

• Eligibility: Med students committing to work in shortage areas
• Award: Full tuition + living stipend
• Application: Apply online at nhsc.hrsa.gov

7. AMWA Scholarships

• Eligibility: Must be a member of the American Medical Women’s Association
• Award: Varies—$500 to $5,000+
• Application: Online with essays and recommendation letters

8. AAUW Scholarships (Women Only)

• Eligibility: Minority women in their 2nd or 3rd year of med school
• Award: $5,000–$18,000
• Application: Online

9. Brown Medical and Educational Society Scholarships

• Eligibility: BIPOC medical students with 2.5+ GPA
• Award: Varies
• Application: Submit physical application and 3 recommendation letters

10. Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship

• Eligibility: Full-time students serving Hispanic communities
• Award: Varies
• Application: Online with essay and transcript

11. Chinese American Physicians Society (CAPS) Scholarships

• Eligibility: Open to all med students, preference to those serving Chinese communities
• Award: $3,000–$5,000
• Application: Online

12. Chinese American Medical Society (CAMS) Scholarships

• Eligibility: 1st–3rd year med/dental students; CAMS members
• Award: $5,000
• Application: Email application + 2 signed recommendation letters

13. Japanese Medical Society of America (JMSA)

• Eligibility: Must propose a project benefiting Japanese communities
• Award: $2,500–$12,000
• Application: Online

14. Joseph Collins Foundation

• Eligibility: Students east of the Mississippi River interested in general practice, psychiatry, or neurology
• Award: $10,000
• Application: Through school financial aid office

15. Dr. Prentiss Taylor Scholarship

• Eligibility: Underrepresented med students in good academic standing
• Award: $5,000
• Application: Online with essay

16. National Medical Fellowships

• Eligibility: Underrepresented groups with financial need
• Award: Varies by program
• Application: Online at nmfonline.org
  

17. Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)

• Eligibility: U.S. citizens with GPA ≥3.25
• Award: $5,000/year for 4 years
• Application: Online

18. Pisacano Scholars Leadership Program

• Eligibility: 3rd-year med students committed to family medicine
• Award: Up to $28,000 over 4 years
• Application: Physical mail to PLF

19. Wellesley College M.A. Cartland Shackford Fellowship

• Eligibility: Women interested in general practice
• Award: Up to $11,000
• Application: Email application + supporting documents

20. Empire State Medical Association Scholarship

• Eligibility: African American med students enrolled in NYC
• Award: $2,500
• Application: Through NMF site
  

21. Armenian Students’ Association

• Eligibility: Armenian descent students in accredited U.S. colleges
• Award: Unspecified
• Application: Physical submission + $15 fee

22. Hellenic Medical Society of NY

• Eligibility: Greek heritage + financial need
• Award: Varies
• Application: Online

23. Hispanic Scholarship Fund

• Eligibility: Hispanic heritage; GPA ≥2.5 (college/grad)
• Award: $500–$5,000
• Application: Online

24. Iranian-American Scholarship Fund

• Eligibility: Iranian heritage students with need and academic excellence
• Award: Unspecified
• Application: Online with essay + recommendations

25. National Italian American Foundation

• Eligibility: U.S. citizens of Italian descent, GPA ≥3.5
• Award: $2,500–$12,000
• Application: Online + NIAF membership

26. Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago

• Eligibility: Jewish descent, born or employed in Chicago
• Award: Up to $8,000
• Application: Via official JVS site

Final Thoughts: Build a Debt-Free Medical Career

Whether you're preparing to enter medical school or in the thick of it, these scholarships are your chance to reduce financial pressure and focus on what matters—learning, growing, and preparing to care for others.

Want to strengthen your application and stand out for next year's funding opportunities? Consider joining a Go Elective internship in East Africa. You’ll gain life-changing experience, mentorship, and a global perspective that can set your application apart.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go-Elective Abrpad

Date Published: May 11, 2025