Federal Funding Resources

The Federal government offers five types of resources for medical school loans and scholarships. They are:

Indian Health Service Scholarship 

• Amount: All tuition and mandatory fees, along with certain reimbursement for travel expenses and a stipend per month for living expenses including room and board
• Service Requirement: For each year of support, recipients serve one year in the Indian Health Service or other area as designated by the program. Minimum service commitment of two years.
  

National Health Service Corps Scholarships 

• Amount: Tuition and fees, books, supplies, equipment, and a monthly support stipend for up to four years of education
• Eligibility: U.S. residents enrolled full time in a fully accredited program leading to primary care practice.
• Service Requirement: For each year of scholarship support, recipients serve one year in a practice located in a federally designated health professional shortage area. Minimum service commitment is two years.
• Application Deadline: Spring or summer of each year.
• For More Information: (800) 221-9393
  

Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program 

• Amount: Full-tuition scholarships in addition to a monthly stipend of approximately $1,600 for 10½ months. Recipients receive officer's pay for the remaining six weeks of the scholarship year. A $20,000 sign-on bonus is also available.
• Eligibility: U.S. citizens with a BA degree who are enrolled in or accepted by an accredited graduate school.
• Service Requirement: Award recipients agree to practice medicine in a specific branch of the military for a minimum of two years or one year for each year of scholarship support, whichever is longer.
• Armed Forces Financial Assistance Program
  • Amount: Annual grant of more than $45,000, plus a monthly stipend of more than $1,900.
  • Eligibility: Residents in an accredited residency program
  • Service Requirement: Upon completion of residency, a one-year obligation for each year of participation in the program, plus one additional year. Details in each branch may vary slightly.
  • For More Information:
    Air Force
    Army
    Navy
    

Health Resources and Services Administration Primary Care Loan Program

• Amount: Variable
• Eligibility: Students committed to residency and practice in primary care.
• Terms: Interest rate is 5%, which begins to accrue one year after full-time student status ends. Loan recipient agrees to complete a primary care residency within four years after graduation and practice in primary care until the loan is paid off.
  

Loans for Disadvantaged Students (LDS)

• Amount: Variable, low-interest, long-term
• Eligibility: Full-time students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are pursuing a degree in medicine. Students apply for these loans at the financial aid office of the school they attend or plan to attend.
• Terms: Participating schools select loan recipients based on need. Schools that participate in the program are expected to offer services to health clinics that treat individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.