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Edited By: Medical School Scholarships
Key takeaways:
- The United States faces a projected shortage of physicians and surgeons, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.
- 74% of practicing physicians borrowed money for medical school, with the average medical student taking out $216,659, according to the Education Data Initiative.
- Medical students can cut costs by applying for scholarships, attending tuition-free programs, or earning service commitment awards.
Scholarship availability, eligibility, and awards are not guaranteed and are subject to each school’s terms and selection criteria.
With a growing, aging population and a large number of physicians and surgeons nearing retirement, the United States faces a projected shortage of medical doctors.
The supply of primary care physicians is expected to fall short of demand by 20,200 to 40,400 by 2036, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. There are projected shortages for various medical and surgical specialties, as well.
However, the high cost of earning an MD can be a barrier for many aspiring doctors. The class of 2025 paid $228,959 to attend the average U.S. medical school (excluding room and board), according to the Education Data Initiative. The average medical student takes out $216,659 for medical school, with 23.8% adding this sum to preexisting undergraduate student loan debt.
Read on to find out about the best ways to afford medical school while avoiding debt, such as winning scholarships, attending a tuition-free institution, or taking on a service commitment.
Jump to:
- Are there scholarships for medical school?
- 25 best medical school scholarships
- How can you attend medical school for free?
- How can you get a scholarship for medical school?
- Are there merit-based medical school scholarships?
- Does the MCAT matter for medical school scholarships?
- What are other ways to pay for medical school?
Are there scholarships for medical school?
Medical school scholarships and grants can significantly reduce tuition and other educational costs, which makes them a good option for offsetting debt.
Although wages for physicians and surgeons are among the highest of all occupations (the median wage is equal to or greater than $239,200 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), most borrowers do not manage to pay off their medical school debt within the 10-year timeline recommended by the federal government.
Many borrowers with medical school debt also have significant undergraduate debt: medical school typically lasts four years, and students must have at least a four-year bachelor’s degree to enroll.
That’s where scholarships come in. Unlike a loan, a scholarship is an award covering educational expenses which does not need to be repaid. There are plenty of college scholarships available, as well as scholarships for graduate school, including medical school.
The 25 Best Medical School Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines in 2026
Frequently asked questions about medical school scholarships
How can you attend medical school for free?
Many scholarships can cover educational expenses such as room and board, earning you a full ride if combined with attending a tuition-free MD program.
Some medical schools offer full-tuition medical scholarships. For example, New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine waives tuition for all current and incoming MD students in good academic standing.
In addition, some medical schools may meet the full cost of attendance for students who demonstrate financial need.
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine offers free tuition to students coming from families earning $300,000 a year or less, and also covers room and board for students coming from families earning $175,000 or less.
Other schools offer institutional need-based aid, including grants and scholarships, covering tuition and accommodation. For example, the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University offers need-based grants, including the Vagelos Scholarship.
If you do not obtain a scholarship or enough financial aid from your school, you might want to consider searching for outside scholarships or perhaps a service commitment program to cover the cost of your medical education.
When you sign up for a service commitment program, an institution such as a medical school covers your educational costs. In return, you work off the lended amount by practicing medicine in a particular medical system after completing residency.
For example, the Abigail Geisinger Scholars Program covers the cost of medical school and provides a stipend for medical students who commit to working in the Geisinger health system after residency.
These schemes are available in some underserved areas. For example, the National Health Service Corps program covers the medical school costs of students who commit to practicing medicine in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA).
How can you get a scholarship for medical school?
You may be considered for institutional scholarships and grants automatically when you apply to a particular medical school. You can also apply for independent scholarships.
Some medical schools may offer need-based aid, requiring you to demonstrate financial need in order to be eligible for the award. Always fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, as your school will use this to determine your eligibility for financial aid. It will also determine your eligibility for federal aid.
When you fill out the FAFSA, you may also be eligible to earn a Federal Work-Study award.
Are there merit-based medical school scholarships?
Medical school admissions are competitive. Candidates typically need strong GPAs and Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores, good personal essays and letters of recommendation, and relevant scientific research and volunteering experience.
Candidates who manage to put these application materials together may also be eligible for scholarships covering the costs of medical school on competitive, merit-based criteria.
For example, the Tylenol Future Care Scholarship is open to medical school students as well as nursing and pharmaceutical students and offers up to $10,000 to students who demonstrate community healthcare involvement. While there is no minimum GPA required to apply, the scholarship committee takes undergraduate GPA and medical school academic records into account.
Does the MCAT matter for medical school scholarships?
While high MCAT scores are not typically required to apply for medical school scholarships (and there is no direct award for getting a good score), medical schools weigh MCAT scores heavily in making admissions decisions, and in awarding institutional grants and scholarships.
Since high MCAT scores may be viewed as evidence of merit and future promise, students with high scores may be more likely to earn institutional scholarships and other competitive awards.
Taking the MCAT can be expensive. The base registration fee is $345. Total costs, including preparation and multiple test-taking attempts, can add up to well over $1,000. Check with your school’s financial aid office to see if there are any available fee waivers or need-based grants to help with application costs.
What are other ways to pay for medical school?
Medical school applicants who submit the FAFSA may be eligible for federal student loans. Borrowers face new federal student loan borrowing caps of $50,000 a year, with an aggregate lifetime limit of $200,000. Graduate PLUS loans are discontinued.
After merit-based scholarships, full-tuition scholarships, need-based grants, and federal loans, you might consider taking out a private student loan to finance your education. Scholarships.com advises researching and pursuing all other financial aid options first and borrowing with caution.