Private Funding for Medical Students

Many grants, scholarships, and low-interest loan options are offered by private sources, such as fraternal and religious organizations, labor unions, professional associations, social groups, and ethnic associations. Because they are private and therefore not administered by the Financial Aid Office, it is up to you to research and apply for them on your own.

If You Are Offered Private Funding

Any outside funding you receive must be taken into account when your eligibility is determined for need-based financial aid, such as the Stafford Loan program. If you have been offered funding from a source outside the University, you should notify the Financial Aid Office of the amount and of the donor.

Conducting Your Search

The best place to start your research is your local church or synagogue or a local club such as the Lions or Kiwanis. In addition, various publications contain private resource information; they can be found in your local library or bookstore. You can also search the Web at www.collegeboard.org, www.finaid.org, or www.fastweb.org.

Financial assistance is provided by a variety of private organizations, which establish their own criteria for eligibility and choose their own recipients. Although the following list does not include all other sources of aid, students are encouraged to apply to programs for which they are eligible.

• The Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society
• Medical Society of New Jersey
• City and county medical societies
• Alpha Epsilon Iota Scholarship Fund
• Hattie M. Strong Foundation
• William Goldman Foundation
• National Medical Fellowships
• American Medical Women's Association (AMWA)
• Ida Foreman Fleisher Fund
• James Z. Naurison Scholarship Fund
• Maryland Higher Education Commission
• Business and Professional Women's Foundation
• Bill Raskob Foundation
• Delaware Academy of Medicine, Inc.
• Addison H. Gibson Foundation

U.S. Armed Forces

The United States Armed Forces offer scholarships to medical students who are U.S. citizens. Scholarships pay the full cost of tuition each academic year and a stipend for living expenses. To accept a scholarship, you must commit to serving in a branch of the U.S. armed forces.

Army
Curtis Center, Suite 460
601 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Navy
Navy Medical Programs
Chief Collins
Naval Recruiting District, Bldg. 2-D
700 Robbins Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19111

Air Force
25 Bala Avenue, Suite 104
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program

The NHSC Scholarship Program is open to medical students who are committed to primary healthcare practice in underserved Health Professionals Shortage Areas (HPSA). In return for your service commitment, the NHSC pays for your full tuition and fees for the upcoming academic year, a monthly stipend, and an allowance for other reasonable educational expenses on a year-for-year basis. The minimum service obligation is two years.

Please be aware that the NHSC has interpreted an IRS ruling that full-time NHSC scholarships are taxable. Before the ruling, only the stipend received by the student was considered taxable under IRS guidelines. Now students are required to report the full amount of tuition scholarship and stipend support received through the NHSC as taxable income.

Applications for the NHSC Scholarship Program are mailed to the Financial Aid Office by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Public Health Service in early March. For more information, please call 1-800-221-9393.