25 Great Healthcare Scholarships and Grants

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Updated on April 18, 2023
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Pursuing healthcare scholarships is more important than ever, with 73% of medical school graduates now averaging more than $200,000 in student loan debt. Even nursing students graduate owing an average of more than $40,000 in loans. Medical school scholarships and grants can help greatly reduce these figures.

Unlike other types of financial aid, scholarships and grants do not require repayment as long as learners meet the funding requirements. Motivated students can receive multiple scholarships and grants to further reduce costs.

In addition to healthcare scholarships and grants, degree-seekers can also pursue employee tuition assistance, work-study programs, and fellowships/assistantships. We divide the following scholarships into general, demographic-specific, and regional or school-specific categories to help students find the funding they need to focus on their new careers without a mountain of debt.

General Healthcare Scholarships

  • Maxine Williams Scholarship

    The American Association of Medical Assistants provides this award to students who have completed at least one semester of studies in a medical assisting program. Their department's program director must request the application for the learner.

    Eligibility Requirements: Each enrollee must demonstrate a 3.0 GPA or higher, attend a CAAHEP-accredited program, and complete at least one semester of study.

    Amount Offered: $1,000

  • Graduate Student Scholarship

    The American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation offers this scholarship to master's- and doctoral-level students enrolled in speech pathology, communication sciences, or a related degree at an accredited school.

    Eligibility Requirements: Each applicant must maintain current enrollment in a graduate program and show academic merit throughout their educational journey. A candidate submits three letters of recommendation, university transcripts, and an essay responding to a specific question about their career goals.

    Amount Offered: $5,000

  • Jimmy A. Young Memorial Education Recognition Award

    This award, made available by the American Respiratory Care Foundation, supports undergraduates working toward an accredited respiratory care degree. Aside from school funding, recipients also receive airfare and lodging for the annual American Association for Respiratory Care Congress.

    Eligibility Requirements: Each student must possess a 3.0 or higher GPA and provide an original paper on respiratory care. Applicants must also provide letters of recommendation, proof of enrollment, and official transcripts before June 15.

    Amount Offered: Up to $1,000

  • DNP/Ph.D. Student Scholarship

    The NAPNAP Foundation supports nurse practitioners working toward their DNP/Ph.D. qualifications if they plan to focus their studies on pediatrics.

    Eligibility Requirements: Each applicant must maintain current enrollment with a 3.5 or higher GPA in an accredited DNP or Ph.D. program focused on pediatrics. A candidate must submit a personal statement, CV, and three letters of support.

    Amount Offered: $3,000

  • Barbara A. Cooley Master's Scholarship

    The Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) provides this award to an enrollee in a master's program in health education at an accredited school. Awardees also receive a one-year membership to SHAPE America.

    Eligibility Requirements: Each applicant should possess a 3.0 GPA or higher and supply a CV, a three-part essay on their philosophy of education, and two letters of recommendation.

    Amount Offered: $1,000

  • Scholarship Essay Contest

    Sharps, Inc. offers this annual award to any student accepted to or currently enrolled in a degree program focused on healthcare studies or a related topic.

    Eligibility Requirements: A student must submit an essay about how they plan to use their degree. Each applicant must also supply a completed application, unofficial transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a resume.

    Amount Offered: $1,000

  • HIMSS Foundation Undergraduate Foundation

    Undergraduate learners enrolled in a health information or health management systems accredited degree can benefit from this scholarship. Learners should be in their junior year when applying.

    Eligibility Requirements: An HIMSS member in good standing can apply for this award if they submit an online application, two letters of recommendation, and a resume.

    Amount Offered: $5,000

Healthcare Scholarships for BIPOC Students

  • Elizabeth and Sherman Asche Memorial Scholarship

    The Association of American Indian Affairs provides this scholarship to support American Indian learners enrolled in public health or related degrees. Undergraduate and graduate students can apply, so long as they attend an accredited four-year institution, rather than a technical school.

    Eligibility Requirements: An applicant must demonstrate Tribe membership, along with evidence of full-time enrollment, a minimum 2.5 GPA, and a current class schedule. They must also provide an essay on their connection to their Tribal Nation and Indian Country.

    Amount Offered: $1,000

  • Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship

    The federal Health Resources and Services Administration offers this award to Native Hawaiians working toward an approved health professions degree. Learners commit to providing a year's worth of paid service to a medically underserved Hawaiian area for every year of funding received.

    Eligibility Requirements: Students must prove Hawaiian ancestry and maintain full-time enrollment in accredited programs.

    Amount Offered: Tuition, monthly stipends, and other related school costs.

  • Hispanic Health Professional Scholarship

    The National Hispanic Health Foundation provides this award to Hispanic full-time learners working toward graduate programs in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, public health, or physician assistant. The foundation provides 15-20 awards each year of up to $5,000.

    Eligibility Requirements: Requirements include a personal statement outlining career goals, current curriculum, one letter of recommendation, official transcripts, and proof of citizenship, residence, or DACA status.

    Amount Offered: Up to $5,000

  • United Health Foundation Diverse Scholars Initiative

    Offered in partnership with the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN), this award supports Hispanic students working toward licensed vocational or practical nursing, associate, diploma, baccalaureate, or graduate nursing degrees.

    Eligibility Requirements: A NAHN member can apply for this award if they attend an accredited program full time and possess a 3.0 or higher GPA. They can also attend the NAHN Annual Conference Gala as part of the award.

    Amount Offered: Varies

  • Undergraduate Scholarship Program

    The National Institutes of Health provides scholarship support, paid research training during summers, and paid employment post-graduation to learners from disadvantaged backgrounds seeking degrees in health-related fields.

    Eligibility Requirements: Each applicant must maintain current full-time enrollment with a 3.3 GPA or higher at an accredited school. They must also prove "exceptional financial need" as demonstrated by the table given on the NIH website.

    Amount Offered: Up to $20,000 per academic year

  • Albert W. Dent Graduate Student Scholarship

    The American College of Healthcare Executives provides this award to African American learners working toward their last year of a healthcare management master's degree.

    Eligibility Requirements: African American students pursuing MHAs, MPHs, or MBAs in healthcare administration can apply in their final year of full-time study. Each applicant must supply a resume, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and an application essay.

    Amount Offered: $5,000

Online Programs That Might Interest You

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Scholarships for Women in Medicine and Healthcare

  • Irene and Daisy MacGregor Memorial Scholarship

    Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) award this scholarship to female students enrolled in either a program to become a medical doctor or a graduate program focused on psychiatric nursing. They must maintain membership in DAR for eligibility.

    Eligibility Requirements: Each applicant should be accepted to or enrolled in an accredited program, demonstrate academic excellence and financial need, and submit a personal essay and letters of recommendation.

    Amount Offered: $5,000

  • Medical Education Scholarship

    The American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) offers these awards twice annually to help women cover the costs of their medical education. Financial need is not required but preferred.

    Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must maintain AMWA membership and embody the goals of the organization. Each candidate submits completed essay responses, provides financial information, and includes a letter of recommendation.

    Amount Offered: $500

  • AfterCollege/AACN Scholarship

    In partnership with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, AfterCollege features this award for bachelor's-, master's- and doctoral-level students enrolled in a nursing program. The association gives special consideration to those enrolled in RN bridge programs or planning to become nurse educators.

    Eligibility Requirements: Students must submit unofficial transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.

    Amount Offered: $10,000

  • Evelyn Lewis Memorial Medical Health Science Scholarship

    The Zeta Phi Beta National Education Foundation offers this award to undergraduate and graduate female students pursuing a degree in medicine or the health sciences.

    Eligibility Requirements: Students must maintain foundation membership and provide proof of full-time enrollment. Each candidate submits an essay and letters of recommendation.

    Amount Offered: $500-$1,000

  • Lynn Adamson Memorial Scholarship

    Women Health Care Executive (WHCE) provides this award annually to graduate-level female students pursuing a health-related degree. This award includes a one-year membership to WHCE and access to the organization's annual Woman of the Year event.

    Eligibility Requirements: Each candidate must maintain current enrollment in a graduate health professions degree at a school in the San Francisco Bay area and demonstrate a commitment to working in the healthcare field.

    Amount Offered: $5,000

  • Dr. Francis Anthony Beneventi Medical Scholarship

    DAR provides this award to female students working toward an accredited medical degree, regardless of location. Students pursuing a pre-med, veterinary science, or physician assistant degree do not qualify.

    Eligibility Requirements: Each candidate must provide transcripts demonstrating a 3.25 GPA, along with letters of recommendation and an essay.

    Amount Offered: $5,000 per year

Regional and School-Specific Scholarships and Grants

  • Allied Healthcare Scholarship Program

    Offered by California's Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, this healthcare scholarship supports learners working toward an approved degree at a California-based college or university. In exchange for the award, students agree to participate in a 12-month, direct patient care service position.

    Eligibility Requirements: Each applicant must submit evidence of a 2.0 GPA and agree to work in a medically underserved area.

    Amount Offered: Up to $8,000

  • Oliver Joel and Ellen Pell Denny Healthcare Scholarship

    The Winston-Salem Foundation awards this scholarship to North Carolina undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a healthcare degree. Applicants must live in one of seven counties to qualify.

    Eligibility Requirements: A student seeking healthcare education at an accredited North Carolina school can apply by submitting transcripts with a 2.5 or higher GPA, providing an acceptance letter, and demonstrating financial need.

    Amount Offered: $1,500

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Healthcare Scholarship

    In partnership with Tarleton State University, Blue Cross Blue Shield offers this award to degree-seekers pursuing a program focused on supporting the healthcare industry.

    Eligibility Requirements: Applicants should live in one of 15 approved counties in Texas. They must also be enrolled in one of three departments at Tarleton. Learners receive consideration for the award as part of their general application.

    Amount Offered: $1,000-$2,000

  • Massachusetts Medical Society Annual Scholars Program

    Learners attending one of the four Massachusetts medical schools can apply to this award if they maintain membership in the Massachusetts Medical Society. They can find applications through their school's office of student affairs.

    Eligibility Requirements: Fourth-year learners attending Boston University School of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Tufts University School of Medicine, or University of Massachusetts Medical School may apply.

    Amount Offered: $10,000

  • Bruce Taylor Scholarship

    The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) created this award to champion Florida-based learners working toward a degree related to long-term care nursing. Each candidate should hold employment at an FHCA-member facility for at least six months before applying.

    Eligibility Requirements: An applicant must supply three letters of recommendation, a copy of the school's acceptance letter, and a statement of program costs.

    Amount Offered: Varies

  • McLaren Healthcare Student Scholarship

    The Michigan Society of Healthcare Planning and Marketing (MSHPM) offers this scholarship to undergraduate and graduate schools working toward a degree that supports the expansion of healthcare planning and/or marketing.

    Eligibility Requirements: Each candidate must have at least one semester of school remaining, maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA, and hold current MSHPM membership.

    Amount Offered: Up to $1,000

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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