Grants for Medical School
Medical school students can access federal grants, loan forgiveness programs, scholarships, and service commitment opportunities that reduce or eliminate tuition costs. With medical school costing $200K-$400K, these grants provide critical support for aspiring physicians. Most programs require service commitments in underserved areas or public health careers. Below are 30 verified grant opportunities.
Types of Medical School Grants
Service Commitment Programs
National Health Service Corps (NHSC), Indian Health Service (IHS), and state programs offering up to $120K in loan repayment for practicing in underserved communities.
Military Scholarships
Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) covers full tuition plus stipend in exchange for active duty service after graduation.
Diversity & Inclusion Grants
Scholarships for underrepresented minorities, women in medicine, first-generation students, and students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Need-Based Financial Aid
Federal grants, institutional aid, and private scholarships based on financial need, academic merit, or specialty commitment (primary care, rural medicine, psychiatry).
Major Federal Medical School Programs
National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
Scholarship: Full tuition + fees + monthly stipend (~$1,600/mo)
Service: 2 years minimum in NHSC-approved site
Loan Repayment: Up to $120K over 3 years for existing providers
Eligibility: U.S. citizen, allopathic/osteopathic medical school enrollment, primary care commitment
Armed Forces HPSP
Coverage: Full tuition + fees + books + monthly stipend (~$2,400/mo)
Service: 1 year active duty per year of scholarship (4-year minimum)
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force
Eligibility: U.S. citizen, pass medical/physical standards, commission as military officer
Indian Health Service (IHS)
Scholarship: Full tuition + fees + stipend + travel costs
Service: 2 years minimum serving American Indian/Alaska Native communities
Loan Repayment: Up to $40K/year for existing providers
Eligibility: Priority for Native American students, all students eligible for loan repayment
State Loan Repayment Programs
Amount: Varies by state ($20K-$200K typical)
Service: 2-5 years in designated shortage areas
Match: Many states match NHSC awards (doubling benefits)
Eligibility: Medical license in state, primary care practice, work in HPSA
Eligibility Requirements
Enrollment Status
- Current enrollment: Accepted to accredited medical school (LCME or COCA accredited)
- Full-time status: Enrolled as full-time MD or DO student
- Good academic standing: Maintaining satisfactory progress (usually 3.0+ GPA)
- Degree pursuit: Working toward Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
Citizenship & Documentation
- U.S. citizenship: Required for federal programs (NHSC, military)
- Permanent residents: Eligible for some institutional and private scholarships
- FAFSA completion: File Free Application for Federal Student Aid annually
- Background checks: Military programs require security clearances
Service Commitments
- Primary care: Family medicine, general internal medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN, psychiatry
- Underserved areas: Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) or rural communities
- Duration: 2-7 years typical (varies by program and award amount)
- Consequences: Financial penalties if service obligation not fulfilled
Financial Need or Merit
- Need-based: FAFSA Expected Family Contribution (EFC) below thresholds
- Merit-based: Strong MCAT scores, undergraduate GPA, research experience
- Diversity factors: Underrepresented in medicine (URiM), first-generation, rural background
- Essays/interviews: Demonstrate commitment to service, specialty interest
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to repay medical school grants?
Service commitment programs: You don't repay with money, but you fulfill a service obligation (2-7 years) working in designated areas or specialties. If you fail to complete service, you repay grants with interest and penalties.
True grants: Institutional need-based grants and diversity scholarships don't require service or repayment.
What if I want to specialize outside primary care?
Most federal programs (NHSC, military) require primary care specialties. However, some options exist:
- Military: Can specialize in any field (but may have longer service obligations for competitive specialties)
- NHSC: Psychiatry and OB/GYN count as primary care
- Specialty-specific grants: Some organizations offer grants for rural surgeons, emergency medicine, etc.
- Loan forgiveness: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) works for any specialty if you work for nonprofit/government
Can I get multiple grants at the same time?
Generally no - most service commitment programs prohibit combining awards (can't do NHSC + military simultaneously). However:
- Stack non-service grants: Institutional aid + private scholarships + diversity awards = stackable
- State + federal matching: Many states match NHSC loan repayment (effective doubling)
- Sequential programs: Military scholarship → state loan repayment after service
What happens if I drop out of medical school?
Service commitment programs require repayment if you don't complete:
- NHSC: Repay scholarship funds + interest + penalty (3x base amount in some cases)
- Military: Repay scholarship or serve enlisted service commitment
- Institutional grants: May need to repay if you leave before completing degree
- Hardship deferral: Medical leave, family emergencies may pause obligations
Are there grants for international medical graduates (IMGs)?
Limited options for IMGs:
- NHSC loan repayment: Available to IMGs practicing in U.S. HPSAs (must have medical license)
- State programs: Some states offer loan repayment to J-1 visa waiver physicians
- Institutional aid: Very limited - most require U.S. medical school enrollment
- Alternative: Focus on loan forgiveness after securing U.S. residency/employment
How competitive are medical school grants?
Competition varies significantly:
- NHSC: Moderate competition (2,000+ scholarships awarded annually, 30-40% acceptance)
- Military HPSP: Competitive (15-25% acceptance, depends on branch and year)
- Diversity scholarships: Varies widely (some highly competitive, others underutilized)
- State programs: Less competitive (many go unfilled due to lack of awareness)
- Tip: Apply to multiple programs, emphasize service commitment in essays
How to Apply for Medical School Grants
File FAFSA Early
Submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by October 1 for the following academic year. Medical schools use FAFSA to determine institutional aid eligibility. Complete CSS Profile if required by your school.
Research Service Commitment Programs
Evaluate NHSC, military HPSP, state programs, and specialty-specific grants. Consider geographic preferences, specialty interests, service duration, and award amounts. Review service obligation details carefully.
Apply to Multiple Programs
Don't rely on one program - apply to NHSC, state programs, institutional scholarships, and private foundations. Deadlines vary (November-May typical). Allow 3-6 months for application processing.
Prepare Strong Application Materials
Write compelling essays demonstrating commitment to service, underserved populations, or primary care. Obtain strong letters of recommendation from physicians, professors, or mentors. Highlight clinical experience, volunteer work, and rural/underserved exposure.
Interview & Accept Offers
Prepare for interviews by researching the program's mission and service locations. Be honest about career goals and service commitment. Compare offers carefully - consider total cost, service duration, specialty flexibility, and geographic location options.
Maintain Eligibility & Plan Service
Stay in good academic standing (3.0+ GPA). Maintain full-time enrollment status. Complete required progress reports. Start researching service locations early (NHSC site finder, military base options). Plan residency applications around service commitment timing.
Essential Resources
NHSC Scholarships
National Health Service Corps scholarship and loan repayment programs. Full application details, site finder, and service obligation information.
nhsc.hrsa.gov →Military HPSP
Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program info for Army, Navy, and Air Force. Eligibility, service requirements, and application portals.
airforce.com/hpsp →IHS Scholarships
Indian Health Service scholarship and loan repayment programs for students committed to serving Native American communities.
ihs.gov/scholarship →Federal Loan Forgiveness
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and other federal loan forgiveness programs for medical professionals working in nonprofit/government settings.
studentaid.gov →Important Considerations
⚠️ Service Commitments Are Legally Binding
Federal service commitment programs (NHSC, military, IHS) are contracts with significant financial penalties for non-completion. Before accepting, carefully consider:
- Your specialty interests (some programs restrict specialty choice)
- Geographic flexibility (you may have limited control over service location)
- Family considerations (moving to rural/underserved areas affects partners, children)
- Career timeline (service delays fellowship training, academic positions)
- Financial penalties if you can't complete service (often 3x base award + interest)
Recommendation: Speak with current program participants and alumni before committing. Visit potential service locations if possible.
💡 Maximizing Your Funding
Year 1-2: Apply for institutional need-based aid and private scholarships (no service commitment)
Year 3-4: Apply for NHSC or military programs once you're certain about primary care commitment
After graduation: State loan repayment programs often have shorter service periods (2-3 years vs. 4-7 for scholarships)
Alternative strategy: Use federal student loans during school, then pursue PSLF (10 years) or NHSC loan repayment after residency