Getting into medical school isn’t easy but figuring out how to pay for it is an entirely different can of worms. With tuition, housing, textbooks, and supplies, you’re looking at some seriously big expenses over the next four years. But here’s the good news: help is available! There are many scholarships out there to fund your education. 

However, with so many options, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones are worth your time and energy—two things premeds and future medical students cannot spare! Luckily, we’ve done some of the research for you and found 10 scholarships (private and school-based) to help you think about how you can manage the cost of medical school.

Medical School Scholarships and Grants From Schools

Nearly every medical school offers its own scholarships and grants for incoming students. Not only are these medical schools very competitive to get into, but their merit-based scholarships are equally as difficult to obtain. That means you’ll need to keep a close eye on your GPA and crush your MCAT.

1. NYU Grossman School of Medicine 

All NYU medical students receive a full-tuition scholarship that covers their tuition and student health insurance. This includes students at NYU Grossman and NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine. They also offer a need-based Debt-Free Scholarship to meet 100% of qualifying students’ demonstrated financial need.

2. Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

Another New York City medical school with a sizeable scholarship is Columbia University. Recipients of the Vagelos Scholarship Program get 100% of their financial needs met. You won’t even need to directly apply for the scholarship; all medical students who complete financial aid applications will automatically be considered.

3. Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine 

In 2019, Washington University announced a new scholarship program to provide scholarships allowing as many as half of its future medical students to attend tuition-free and many other students to receive partial tuition support over the next decade. WashU is also the exclusive site for the Mr. and Mrs. Spencer T. Olin Fellowships for Women; full-tuition scholarships are awarded to selected women students who are starting their graduate or professional degree programs.

4. UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine 

Two of UCLA’s newest scholarships are the DGSOM Impact and Distinction Scholarship and the DGSOM Scholarship for Excellence. The DGSOM Impact and Distinction Scholarship provides the full cost of attendance for 10 students each year. This includes full in-state tuition, fees, and a living stipend. The DGSOM Scholarship for Excellence is awarded to 50 students yearly and provides full in-state tuition and fees.

5. Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Thanks to a gift from Ruth L. Gottesman, Ed.D., Chair of the Einstein Board of Trustees and Montefiore Health System board member, all medical students receive free tuition at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY beginning in August 2024. This massive gift is the largest made to any medical school in the country.

Outside Medical School Scholarships

6. Blueprint MCAT’s $20K Medical School Scholarship Giveaway

This might be the easiest scholarship you can enter! Just fill out one form, hit Submit, and you’re well on your way to potentially winning $20,000 toward your medical school tuition! This annual scholarship is open to premed students who will be matriculating into medical school within the next three years. (Ex. To apply to the 2023 scholarship, you must plan to start medical school between July 1, 2025 and October 1, 2026.)

7. Tylenol Future Care Scholarship 

Tylenol—yes the pain reliever—offers up to $10,000 in scholarships to healthcare students who demonstrate leadership and academic excellence. This scholarship requires an essay and an official transcript, but with a little extra effort, you could be one of the 40 recipients awarded each year. The scholarship usually opens in May and closes in August and is open to graduate students or college seniors who will enroll in medical school.

8. National Medical Fellowships 

National Medical Fellowships offer a wide range of scholarships for students both in undergraduate and medical school programs. The scholarships are available for students pursuing careers in healthcare and those who are from underrepresented communities. The scholarships are all listed on their website and you’re bound to find at least one you qualify for.

9. National Health Service Corps Scholarship 

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) provides tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend to students committed to working in underserved areas after graduation. In exchange for this scholarship, recipients must serve their communities in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) for a minimum of two years. After your service, you’ll also be eligible for their loan repayment program.

10. The Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarships

These $5,000 medical school scholarships are designed for outstanding students entering their third year of medical school who are dedicated to eliminating inequities in medical education and health care. But don’t get too excited—only five scholarships are awarded each year! 

11. Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Not limited to medical students, the HSF Scholar Program provides 10,000 students every year with scholarships ranging from $500 – $5,000, based on relative need. Plus, HSF Scholars also receive access to support services including career services, mentorship, leadership development, knowledge building, and wellness training.

There you have it, future doctors. These scholarships are simply a few of the many available to help you fund your medical education. By no means is it an exhaustive list, but it’s a great place to get started as you think about how you’re going to pay for medical school. 

If you’re serious about securing a spot in prestigious tuition-free institutions like NYU Grossman or positioning yourself as a strong contender for those coveted merit-based full-tuition scholarships, then here’s your key to success: a competitive MCAT score! Get started by creating a free Blueprint MCAT account and access tons of free MCAT resources, including a customizable study planner, a free practice test with analytics, 1600+ MCAT flashcards, and more!