According to a report from the Education Data Initiative, the average total cost of medical school in the U.S. was a whopping $230,296 in 2022. That’s $57,574 per year for those pursuing a four-year degree. Given the high cost, it’s no wonder that many students seek out scholarships to help ease the burden. Many scholarships exist, and certain ones are dedicated scholarships for women in medicine.
If you’re a woman who’s interested in medical school scholarships, here are some of the best options available and how to apply.
1. American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA)
Amount: $500 (four scholarships available)
Requirements: Membership to the AMWA, letter of recommendation, completed essays, financial information
What to know: The AMWA offers scholarships to women currently enrolled in medical school who embody the organization’s goals of advancing women in medicine. While its scholarships aren’t financial need-based, financial need is a consideration.
2. Joan F. Giambalvo Memorial Scholarship
Amount: Up to $10,000
Requirements: Current medical student or physician, supporting letter, biosketch from the principal investigator
What to know: The Joan F. Giambalvo Memorial Scholarship Fund offers scholarships of up to $10,000 to female medical school students. To qualify, students must be participating in research projects dedicated to advancing and improving the lives of women in medicine.
For 2023, particular areas of interest for projects include those focused on leadership training, gender-based patterns among practices, improving satisfaction or reducing burnout in the field, retaining physicians, and more.
3. Dr. Marie E. Zakrzewski Medical Scholarship (MA)
Amount: $3,500
Requirements: Current first-, second-, or third-year medical students; resident of New England; proof of Polish descent; letters of recommendation; essay; financial information
What to know: Dr. Marie E. Zakrzewski was a prominent female physician who emigrated from Poland to the United States in the 1800s. The Kosciuszko Foundation created the Dr. Marie E. Zakrzewski Medical Scholarship to honor her memory and support women of Polish descent entering the medical field.
4. Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarships
Amount: Up to $5,000
Requirements: Requirements vary by scholarship; see the application page for more information
What to know: Daughters of the American Revolution, a long-established organization dedicated to helping women, offers several scholarships to those of familial descent to Patriots of the Revolutionary War. Scholarships are available for medical, nursing, and occupational therapy students. While requirements vary, all scholarships require proof of academic excellence.
5. S. Evelyn Lewis Memorial Medical Health Science Scholarship
Amount: $3,000
Requirements: High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student pursuing a healthcare degree
What to know: The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority National Educational Foundation offers several scholarships, including the S. Evelyn Lewis Memorial Medical Health Science Scholarship for women pursuing a medical degree. Unlike many other scholarships which require you to be actively enrolled in medical school to qualify, this scholarship is available to undergraduates and rising seniors starting college in the fall.
6. Lynn Adamson Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Requirements: Graduate students pursuing a healthcare degree, San Francisco Bay Area residents, good academic standing, able to attend the Women Health Care Executives Annual Woman of the Year event
What to know: Offered through the Women Health Care Executives organization, the Lynn Adamson Memorial Scholarship is a merit-based award for women pursuing graduate degrees in healthcare. This award is exclusively for Bay Area residents, which makes it a bit more restrictive than some other scholarships on our list. But the award amount is relatively high, so it’s likely worth applying if you meet the eligibility criteria.
The bottom line
While medical school comes with a high price tag, several scholarships for women in healthcare are available to help offset the cost. Besides scholarships, federal and private student loans can help you pay for medical school. If you’ve exhausted your options for federal loans, ELFI offers graduate student loans with competitive rates and flexible terms.*