Medical school is expensive, but that doesn’t mean you should give up on becoming a doctor. Just as there are with college, there are many different types of medical school scholarships available to help you finance your education. Some are based on academic merit, some on diversity and inclusion, some for military service, and some for a particular talent or affiliation. Medical scholarships often have more stringent requirements than undergraduate scholarships, and some require service to the community. The criteria for a scholarship depend on the values and goals of the donor, so it’s important to know what those are so that you will be able to determine your eligibility. Scholarships can be used for a variety of expenses, from tuition to travel to conferences and other special activities, and having scholarships to help fund your schooling can help you succeed by alleviating the pressure that comes from having to work while you are in med school. What’s more, even small scholarships can help chip away at the student debt you are accruing, which will be extremely valuable to you once it’s time to pay back that debt. 

The benefits of a scholarship go beyond easing your financial burden. Those who win scholarships gain support from their colleges, with scholarship donors acting as mentors to ensure that students get the full benefit of the scholarship. Often, you will receive not only academic support, but also financial counseling to help you determine how best to spend your scholarship money. Further, winning a scholarship links you with others who have won similar awards, and this can help you build a network that will benefit you as you continue your journey as a medical professional. Some scholarships also come with research opportunities, and winning a scholarship will look good on your resume when you are vying for a position after you graduate. 

Where should you begin your search? The internet has many resources that can help you find a med school scholarship. Check out websites like BigFuture, which is part of The College Board, and CareerOneStop, a website connected to the Department of Labor, as well as websites like Scholarships.com, Fastweb, Niche, BrokeScholar, and Chegg. You will also find helpful databases through the U.S. Department of Education and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Be careful, however, because there are scam scholarship sites out there, looking to take advantage of students. If you stumble upon a site that guarantees a medical school scholarship for a price, it is a scam.
 
You can also find local scholarships, specific to your city or state. Because they are offered at a local level, these scholarships are often less competitive and easier to acquire. How do you find local scholarships? Look for them everywhere. Local hospitals, churches, businesses, clubs, and non-profit organizations are all excellent resources, and people you already know, like your school’s counselors, may be able to point you in the right direction.

Check for school-specific scholarships by contacting the medical school you are or will be attending and asking questions. The school’s financial aid office will be able to provide you with a financial aid packet, as well as informing you about scholarship opportunities unique to that specific school. Academically competitive medical students who are undergoing financial hardship can often get financial assistance from the school, so if this is your situation, you and your family should make an appointment to speak with one of your school’s financial aid officers directly.

Think about your own unique situation. If you are a minority student, there are many organizations that have scholarships for which you may be eligible. These organizations are committed to developing a diverse physician workforce by supporting minority and underrepresented students who are working to earn a medical degree. If you are interested in pursuing a career in family medicine, this opens another realm of scholarship opportunities for you. Often, schools with primary care tracks will offer tuition waivers or scholarships that will pay for some or all of the cost of your education. The National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program is another great resource, offering scholarships that pay for tuition, fees, and other costs, along with the Students to Service Program, which is a loan repayment program.

If you are interested looking for a medical school with a deep-rooted tradition of quality, look into Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara. The first medical school in Latin America to offer a US-style curriculum, we are committed to cultivating future physicians who have the skills and abilities necessary to meet the challenges of personal and community health. With the best facilities in Guadalajara, state-of-the-art laboratories, and a close working relationship with many of the hospitals in the city, we are able to provide an excellent educational experience for our students both on campus and in the field. With the goal of preparing graduates for careers as physicians where they can provide individuals, families, and communities with outstanding preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic services, our medical school offers a curriculum of excellence. We prepare our students to heal and serve their community, and we encourage them to strive for innovation, academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to society. For more information about our college of medicine, call 833-220-7645 or contact us through our website.