Funding for Pre-Health Students and Financing Medical, Dental and Nursing School
Funding a medical, dental or nursing school education may include, along with personal or family savings, loans, grants, work, scholarships and graduate funding support from the school. Financial Aid offices of schools work with students in these areas, and they are your best source of information. In addition to the resources listed below, check the Financial Aid page of the schools that interest you. They often list the external scholarships (meaning awards made by private foundations or organizations that their students apply for). You will find that some scholarships are open to entering students, while others are applied for during medical school.
Scholarships/Contests for Pre-Health Students
These opportunities may be of interest to students planning a career in the health field.
- Harry S. Truman Scholarship
http://www.truman.gov
Merit-based awards to outstanding college juniors who intend to pursue careers in government or public service . Students receive a $30,000 scholarship to support any type of graduate program. Applicants need an excellent GPA and extracurricular record. University nomination required. - Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans
http://www.pdsoros.org
This fellowship provides opportunities for New Americans to achieve leadership in their chosen field. A New American is (1) a resident alien, (2) a naturalized US citizen, or (3) the child of two parents who are both naturalized citizens. Awards are for two years in any field of study. The stipend is $25,000/year, plus up to $20,000 in tuition support. Applicants should have excellent grades and a record of academic and extracurricular achievement. College senior or first year graduate student can apply. - Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
http://www.tylenol.com/page.jhtml?id=tylenol/news/subptyschol.inc
For students who plan a career in healthcare and excel in leadership, academic performance and community involvement. 10 applicants receive $10,000 in scholarships; 30 applicants will receive $5,000 in scholarships. Open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. Application period: February – May. - Wiesel (Elie) Prize in Ethics Essay Contest
http://www.eliewieselfoundation.org/prizeinethics.aspx
This is an annual contest designed to challenge college students to analyze the urgent ethical issues confronting them today. Topics are suggested each year, but students are free to write about any topic as long as it pertains to ethics. First prize is $5,000, plus there is a second and third prizes and honorable mention. Open to juniors and seniors. Deadline is early December.
Information on Financing Your Medical School Education
- Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
http://www.aamc.org/students/start.htm
Information on medical careers, admission, and financing your education. - AMA Resources for Medical Students – Financial Aid
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/medical-students/medical-students.shtml - ExploreHealthCareers.org
http://www.explorehealthcareers.org/en/home
This site is a comprehensive source of accurate, up-to-date information about the health professions. Includes information on and links to health-related education/training programs, financial aid resources, specialized learning opportunities, and current issues in health care. - F. Edward Hébert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), U.S. Army
http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/hpsp.jsp
The U.S. Army Health Care Team will pay 100 percent of tuition for a graduate-level health care degree at any accredited medical, dental, veterinary, psychology or optometry program in the United States or Puerto Rico, plus a generous monthly stipend. Your active duty service obligation to the U.S. Army is one year of service for every year you receive the scholarship. There are similar programs in the Navy, http://www.navy.com/navy/careers/healthcare.html, and Air Force, http://www.airforce.com/opportunities/healthcare/education/. - Family Medicine Interest Group
http://fmignet.aafp.org/online/fmig/index/medical-school/studentdebt.html
Information and advice on medical school debt management. - Financial Aid for Health Professions Students
http://www.hrsa.gov/help/healthprofessions.htm
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - Financial Aid for Health Professions Students includes information on scholarships, loans and loan repayment. - Financing Your Medical Education – Association of American Medical Colleges
http://www.aamc.org/students/financing/ - Medical Profession: Scholarships, Fellowships, and Postdoctoral Awards
http://scholarships.fatomei.com/medicine.html - National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program
http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/scholarships/index.html
Scholarships to students pursuing careers in primary care MD or DO, DDS or DMD, nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, or physician assistant. Recipients are committed to serve one year for each year of support (minimum of two years service) at an approved site in a high-need Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) soon after they graduate. - National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program
http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/
To be eligible for up to $60,000 in an initial loan repayment award Corps members are required to practice full-time for at least two years or part-time for four years at an NHSC-approved site. An award of $30,000 is available for two years of half-time service. Approved sites are located across the country in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). About half of Corps members serve in federally-supported health centers. Other approved sites are rural and Indian Health Service clinics, public health department clinics, hospital-affiliated primary care practices, managed care networks, prisons, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement sites. - U.S. Department of Health - The Office of Minority Health - Funding for Students
http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=2&lvlID=4
Information on Financing Your Dental School Education
- American Dental Association – information for Current and Future Dental Students
http://www.ada.org/students.aspx
Information on dental schools and financial resources for dental students. - American Dental Association Information on Scholarships and Loan Repayment Programs
http://www.ada.org/2904.aspx - American Dental Association Foundation
Dental Student Scholarship Program
Underrepresented Minority Dental Student Scholarships
http://www.ada.org/applyforassistance.aspx#scholarships
You must be already enrolled in dental school to apply. - F. Edward Hébert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), U.S. Army
http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/hpsp.jsp
The U.S. Army Health Care Team will pay 100 percent of tuition for a graduate-level health care degree at any accredited medical, dental, veterinary, psychology or optometry program in the United States or Puerto Rico, plus a generous monthly stipend. Your active duty service obligation to the U.S. Army is one year of service for every year you receive the scholarship. There are similar programs in the Navy, http://www.navy.com/navy/careers/healthcare.html, and Air Force, http://www.airforce.com/opportunities/healthcare/education/. - Hispanic Dental Association Foundation/Proctor & Gamble Scholarship Program
http://www.hdassoc.org/site/epage/8351_351.htm
Available to incoming, Hispanic U.S. students who have been accepted into an accredited dental, dental hygiene, dental assisting, or dental technical program. Scholarships are $1,000 - National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program
http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/scholarships/index.html
Scholarships to students pursuing careers in primary care MD or DO, DDS or DMD, nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, or physician assistant. Recipients are committed to serve one year for each year of support (minimum of two years service) at an approved site in a high-need Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) soon after they graduate. - National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program
http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/
To be eligible for up to $60,000 in an initial loan repayment award Corps members are required to practice full-time for at least two years or part-time for four years at an NHSC-approved site. An award of $30,000 is available for two years of half-time service. Approved sites are located across the country in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). About half of Corps members serve in federally-supported health centers. Other approved sites are rural and Indian Health Service clinics, public health department clinics, hospital-affiliated primary care practices, managed care networks, prisons, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement sites. - U.S. Department of Health - The Office of Minority Health - Funding for Students
http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=2&lvlID=4
Information on financing your nursing school education
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing
http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/financialaid.htm
Extensive list of scholarships, loans, and loan forgiveness programs for nursing students. - Discover Nursing
http://www.discovernursing.com/scholarships#no-filters
Extensive searchable list of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate nursing students. - F. Edward Hébert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), U.S. Army
http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/hpsp.jsp
The U.S. Army Health Care Team will pay 100 percent of tuition for a graduate-level health care degree at any accredited medical, dental, veterinary, psychology or optometry program in the United States or Puerto Rico, plus a generous monthly stipend. Your active duty service obligation to the U.S. Army is one year of service for every year you receive the scholarship. There are similar programs in the Navy, http://www.navy.com/navy/careers/healthcare.html, and Air Force, http://www.airforce.com/opportunities/healthcare/education/. - Financial Aid for Health Professions Students
http://www.hrsa.gov/help/healthprofessions.htm
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - Financial Aid for Health Professions Students includes information on scholarships, loans and loan repayment. - Health Web Search Nursing Scholarships
http://www.nursewebsearch.com/nursing_scholarships.htm
Extensive list of scholarship/funding opportunities for nursing students. - Minority Nurse.com Scholarships
http://www.minoritynurse.com/financial/scholarships.html
List of undergraduate and graduate scholarships for under-represented students in nursing, plus a personalized search tool. - National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program
http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/scholarships/index.html
Scholarships to students pursuing careers in primary care MD or DO, DDS or DMD, nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, or physician assistant. Recipients are committed to serve one year for each year of support (minimum of two years service) at an approved site in a high-need Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) soon after they graduate. - National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program
http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/
To be eligible for up to $60,000 in an initial loan repayment award Corps members are required to practice full-time for at least two years or part-time for four years at an NHSC-approved site. An award of $30,000 is available for two years of half-time service. Approved sites are located across the country in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). About half of Corps members serve in federally-supported health centers. Other approved sites are rural and Indian Health Service clinics, public health department clinics, hospital-affiliated primary care practices, managed care networks, prisons, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement sites. - National Student Nurses Association Scholarships
http://www.nsna.org/FoundationScholarships.aspx
Scholarship information and links to other opportunities for undergraduate and graduate nursing students. Click on 'Foundation and Scholarships'. - Nurses – Nursing Scholarships for College and Graduate School
http://scholarships.fatomei.com/scholarships-for-nurses.html - Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
http://www.tylenol.com/page.jhtml?id=tylenol/news/subptyschol.inc
For students who plan a career in healthcare and excel in leadership, academic performance and community involvement. 10 applicants receive $10,000 in scholarships; 30 applicants will receive $5,000 in scholarships. Open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. Application period: February – May. - U.S. Department of Health - The Office of Minority Health - Funding for Students
http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=2&lvlID=4
