Introduction
It’s no secret that getting a medical degree is expensive. The cost of tuition, fees and books can add up to several hundred thousand dollars over the course of your degree. Say’s Dr Scott Kamelle, but because medicine is such a highly specialized field, many students are also able to find scholarships that can help make their education more affordable. Here’s what you need to know:
Medical schools offer many scholarships to help offset the cost of medical school.
In addition to the cost of tuition and fees, medical students need to consider how they will fund their living expenses during school. Scholarships can help with this by providing money for various school-related expenses such as textbooks or study abroad programs.
To find out which scholarships are available at your chosen medical school, contact an admissions representative at the institution and ask about any specific requirements for applying for a scholarship (such as GPA). If you have any questions about applying for scholarships or what type of information you should include in your application packet, don’t hesitate to ask!
General scholarships include merit-based awards, financial need and special circumstances, among others.
General scholarships include merit-based awards, financial need and special circumstances, among others. Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students who have demonstrated exemplary academic performance in high school or college. Financial need is determined by your family’s income and assets compared to the federal poverty level (FPL). Special circumstances may include military service or disabilities that affect your ability to pay for medical school tuition costs.
Some schools offer unique scholarships.
- Some schools offer unique scholarships. If you’re the first in your family to attend college, or if you’ll be the first in your family to attend medical school, some schools may have scholarships just for you.
- Other programs target students who belong to minority groups. If you’re African American, Asian American or Hispanic/Latino American (or another ethnic/racial minority), there are a number of organizations that offer financial assistance specifically for members of these groups.
Programs exist for those who want to specialize in certain fields, such as pediatrics or adolescent medicine.
If you want to specialize in a particular field, such as pediatrics or adolescent medicine, there are many scholarship opportunities available. These programs can help fund your education and relieve some of the financial burden of becoming a doctor.
If you’re interested in working with children, consider applying for one of these scholarships:
- American Academy of Pediatrics Foundation’s Annual Meeting Clinical Scholarships ($1,000). Applicants must be residents or fellows who plan on attending an AAPF annual meeting during their fellowship year and present an abstract at that meeting. The award covers travel expenses up to $1,000 per person; applicants must submit an abstract by March 1st annually.
- American Pediatric Medical Association Foundation Scholarship Program ($4,500). Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents enrolled full-time at an accredited medical school located within the U.S., Puerto Rico or Canada with plans on pursuing careers in pediatrics after graduation; preference given to individuals from underrepresented communities as well as those who demonstrate financial need (demonstrated by filing taxes).
Scholarships can make your medical education more affordable
Medical school is a great way to get an education, but it can also be very expensive. Scholarships can help you pay for school and give you the opportunity to realize your dream of becoming a doctor.
Scholarships are awarded based on merit, so if you’re smart and hard-working, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t apply for one!
Conclusion
We hope our guide has been helpful in helping you decide whether or not to pursue a scholarship. If so, we encourage you to apply as early as possible, as many of these awards are limited and go quickly. Good luck!