Obtaining a medical degree can be an expensive endeavor for any college student. Chances are you have existing student debt from obtaining your bachelors and are concerned about how you will pay for medical school. Further compounding the problem is the cost of medical school. Considering the average medical school can cost $25,000.00 a year or more; the decision should not be taken lightly. Consequently even attending an in-state medical school for a medical degree can tip the scales at a whopping $140,000. Double that amount for a degree from a private medical school. Include room, board, school supplies and transportation; the cost can be staggering. Fortunately after completing four years of school and minimum of three years of residency; most family practitioners have a starting salary of at least $143,000. Consequently, the ability to pay for medical school should never be a factor in your ability to attend. Grants for medical school are widely available and can help to cover the costs of tuition and living expenses.
The first step in obtaining a grant for medical school is to visit your schools financial aid office. Fill out a FAFSA form and speak with a financial aid officer concerning your level of need. Additionally, most medical schools which you are interested in attending will have an office which deals directly with the medical grants available to prospective students. The office will have the most current information for specific grants and how to qualify for them. Visiting professors on campus can also be a valuable source of information on grants available for attending medical school. You might even make a few inside connections.
A few grant options for obtaining a medical degree:
The Military is a excellent way to pay for medical school. If you are able to join the military as an officer, the military will pay your tuition and living expenses through four years of medical school. This applies to the Arms, Navy or Air force. There are a few things to consider when utilizing the military to obtain a grant for medical school. Doctors are required serve one year of active duty for every year of scholarship they receive. The minimum requirement in exchange for the medical school grant is a minimum of two years.
The National Institutes of Health offers a grant covering full tuition and a living stipend. The program is geared towards individuals interested in becoming a research scientist and is not intended for plastic surgeons. The program requires individuals to spend eight years in school required to receive an M.D. and a research Ph.D.
The National Health Service offers full tuition and living expenses for individuals training to become primary-care physicians. While the grant is essentially a full ride it comes with a few strings attached. Awarded individuals will be assigned to impoverished areas and must work at least one year for every year of a scholarship. Additionally, the grant is in high demand annually receiving seven times more applications than it has scholarships.
The Mayo Clinic provides admitted medical students a scholarship/grant of a minimum of $25,000. The program may not cover your tuition entirely however it can significantly reduce the cost of attending medical school.
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