Medical Scholarships for College

Medical Scholarships, Costs & ROI Snapshot

This snapshot pulls from CollegeWhale’s scholarship database and planning tools to show how many scholarships are available for Medical majors, the total dollars listed, and how early-career pay compares to typical college costs.

Scholarships in Our Database

We currently list 37 active scholarships tied to Medical programs, sourced from professional groups, nonprofits, and private sponsors. New awards are added regularly.

Total Scholarship Dollars Listed

The scholarships currently listed total approximately $297,180 in advertised award value. Many programs offer renewable or variable awards, so available funding may be higher over time.

Early-Career Pay & ROI

Early-career median pay for Medical graduates is about $230,000 per year. We estimate a typical 4-year net college cost around $108,584.

That means first-year earnings are roughly 212% of total college cost, with an estimated payback period of 0.5 years (before taxes and living expenses).

Medical Scholarships to Apply for Now (Scholarship FastFind™)

The CollegeWhale Scholarship FastFind™ makes it easy to discover the best Medical scholarships — fast. Filter by award amount, deadline month, and estimated time to apply, then instantly download your personalized list. No sign-ups, no personal info, no spam — just real, verified scholarships.

1

The Melanie Foundation Mental Health Scholarship

The Melanie Foundation Mental Health Scholarship was established to honor the life and legacy of Melanie Merola O’Donnell, whose career and personal mission were devoted to alleviating suffering caused by mental illness. Created by her family and friends, the foundation

Award: $2,500 Deadline: March Est. Application Time: Med (58 min)
2

American Indian Medical Scholarship

The American Indian Medical Scholarship (AIMS) is a long-standing national scholarship program created to support students of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian descent who are pursuing careers in healthcare, nursing, or health education. Officially adopted as a national

Award: $1,500 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Med (33 min)
3

Indian Health Service Scholarship Program

The Indian Health Service (IHS) Scholarship Program is a federally administered program created to support American Indian and Alaska Native students pursuing careers in healthcare. The program’s primary mission is to educate, train, and retain qualified health professionals who are

Award: Varies Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (10 min)
4

Alice W. Rooke Medical Scholarship

The Alice W. Rooke Medical Scholarship is offered by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to support students pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree at an approved, accredited medical school. This scholarship is designed to recognize academic

Award: $5,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (10 min)
5

Leslie Andree Hanna Medical Scholarship

The Leslie Andree Hanna Medical Scholarship is awarded by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to support deserving female students pursuing a medical degree in the United States. This scholarship is intended to recognize academic excellence and

Award: $5,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (10 min)
6

Irene and Daisy MacGregor Memorial Scholarship

The Irene and Daisy MacGregor Memorial Scholarship is offered by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to support students of strong academic ability and character who are pursuing advanced education in the medical field. This scholarship honors

Award: Varies Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (10 min)
7

Dr. Francis Anthony Beneventi Medical Scholarship

The Dr. Francis Anthony Beneventi Medical Scholarship is offered through the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to support students pursuing a career as a medical doctor. This scholarship honors the legacy of Dr. Francis Anthony Beneventi by

Award: $5,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (28 min)
8

A. D. and Peggy Hewlett and Colonel David R. Inman Medical Scholarship

The A. D. and Peggy Hewlett and Colonel David R. Inman Medical Scholarship is a targeted financial award managed by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to support students pursuing careers in medicine and related health care fields. This scholarship

Award: Varies Deadline: April Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)
9

Foot Levelers Scholarship

The Foot Levelers Scholarship for Sports Medicine Students is designed to support dedicated students who are pursuing careers in sports medicine, physical therapy, chiropractic care, athletic training, or other related health science fields. This scholarship recognizes individuals who demonstrate academic

Award: $2,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Med (86 min)
10

American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship (Nutrition Research)

The AHA Predoctoral Fellowship supports promising students enrolled in doctoral or equivalent clinical health-professional degree programs (e.g., PhD, DrPH, MD/PhD, DrPH in public health) who are committed to research in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, brain health—or nutrition and public health topics related

Award: $27,144 Deadline: September Est. Application Time: Med (58 min)
11

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Fleming Scholars Program

The Sir Alexander Fleming Scholars Program at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is a paid summer research experience designed to engage students in hands-on biomedical research. Participants work full-time in research laboratories under the guidance of OMRF scientists, attend

Award: $5,000 Deadline: February Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)
12

Optometry Scholarship Program (Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority)

The Optometry Scholarship Program administered by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority is a state-supported professional scholarship designed to address Kentucky’s ongoing need for licensed optometrists. By providing substantial financial assistance to students pursuing a Doctor of Optometry degree, the

Award: $15,000 Deadline: December Est. Application Time: Low (13 min)

Medical school scholarships help reduce the cost of earning an MD or DO degree by providing funding that does not need to be repaid. These awards come from medical schools, healthcare organizations, nonprofit foundations, professional associations, and national leadership programs. Some scholarships are merit-based, others prioritize leadership or service impact, and many are designed to increase representation and equity in medicine.

Because medical education is highly structured and demanding, scholarships often look for sustained commitment — not just strong grades. Competitive applicants typically demonstrate leadership, community engagement, research involvement, or a clear dedication to improving healthcare outcomes.

Quick Guide: Major Medical School Scholarship Categories

Scholarship Category Examples Common Selection Factors
Full-Tuition or Full-Cost Awards NYU Grossman School of Medicine Full-Tuition Program, select institutional full-ride scholarships Exceptional academic performance, leadership, institutional nomination
Equity & Representation Scholarships National Medical Fellowships (NMF), Herbert W. Nickens Scholarship, CAMS Scholarship Leadership in advancing health equity, community impact, academic achievement
Primary Care & Community-Focused Awards NHSC Scholarship, Kaiser Permanente Medical Student Scholarship, AAFP Scholarships Commitment to underserved communities, long-term service goals
Women in Medicine Scholarships American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) Scholarships, AAUW Fellowships Leadership, advocacy, academic strength
Merit & Leadership Awards AMA Foundation Physicians of Tomorrow Awards, institutional Dean’s Scholarships Academic excellence, leadership, professionalism

Full-Tuition and Institutional Scholarships

Some medical schools offer significant merit-based funding, including full-tuition awards. The most widely known example is:

  • NYU Grossman School of Medicine: Provides full-tuition scholarships to all admitted MD students.

Other medical schools offer competitive merit awards, Dean’s Scholarships, or research-based fellowships to incoming or continuing students. These institutional scholarships are often among the largest funding opportunities available and may cover partial or full tuition.

Equity and Representation Scholarships

Many national organizations fund scholarships designed to increase representation in medicine and improve healthcare equity.

  • National Medical Fellowships (NMF): Offers need-based and specialty-focused scholarships for underrepresented medical students, along with leadership programming.
  • Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarships: Awards students who demonstrate leadership in addressing health disparities.
  • CAMS Scholarship (Chinese American Medical Society): Supports medical students of Chinese heritage based on academic achievement and community involvement.
  • AMA Foundation Physicians of Tomorrow Awards: Provides $10,000 awards to outstanding medical students entering their final year.

These scholarships typically evaluate measurable community impact, leadership roles, and long-term commitment to equitable care.

Primary Care and Community-Focused Scholarships

Some scholarships prioritize students committed to improving access to care in underserved areas.

  • National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship: Covers tuition and provides financial support for students committed to practicing in underserved communities.
  • Kaiser Permanente Medical Student Scholarship: Supports students dedicated to community health and primary care.
  • American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Scholarships: Funds students planning careers in family medicine.

These awards often emphasize sustained volunteer work, community leadership, and alignment with primary care missions.

Scholarships for Women in Medicine

Organizations advancing gender equity in healthcare provide scholarships and professional development for women pursuing medical degrees.

  • American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) Scholarships: Financial awards paired with mentorship and leadership development.
  • AAUW Graduate Fellowships: Supports women pursuing advanced degrees, including medicine.
  • Lynn Adamson Memorial Scholarship: Recognizes leadership and dedication to improving healthcare outcomes.

Applicants are often evaluated on advocacy, leadership experience, and academic excellence.

Merit and Academic Achievement Scholarships

Merit-based medical scholarships recognize high academic performance, research contributions, and professional promise.

  • BoardVitals Medical School Scholarship: $2,500 award for academic achievement and commitment to healthcare.
  • Institutional Dean’s Scholarships: Competitive awards based on GPA, research experience, and leadership.

These scholarships reward consistent excellence and often require faculty nominations or strong recommendation letters.

How to Strengthen Medical School Scholarship Applications

Competitive medical scholarship applicants typically demonstrate:

  • Quantified impact: Research publications, clinical volunteer hours, or leadership initiatives with measurable outcomes.
  • Clear mission alignment: Strong connection between personal background and healthcare goals.
  • Sustained leadership: Multi-year involvement in organizations or advocacy efforts.
  • Professional endorsements: Recommendations from physicians, faculty, or research mentors.

Medical scholarships are often awarded not just for academic ability, but for demonstrated commitment to advancing healthcare systems and patient outcomes.

Data & content oversight by Lauren Nichols

Co-Founder of CollegeWhale, specializing in scholarship data systems and financial aid research.