Medical education scholarships

As the cost of medical education continues to increase, financial assistance for medical students is more important than ever. On average, future physicians graduate approximately $140,000 in debt and in many cases, the debt load is much higher. The American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation has a long history of supporting young men and women who aspire to become physicians. In 1950, the AMA Foundation was created to raise money for the country's struggling medical schools, and since that time, the AMA Foundation has contributed approximately $60 million towards medical student scholarships.

Minority Scholars Award
$10,000 scholarships for first and second-year medical students from historically underrepresented groups in the medical profession.

Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarships
$10,000 scholarships for rising fourth-year medical students, based on academic excellence and financial need

Scholars Fund
Scholarship assistance for medical schools across the country.

Arthur N. Wilson, MD Scholarship
A $5,000 scholarship for a medical student who graduated from a high school is Southeast Alaska.

Scholarship Recipient Quotes and Pictures
Learn how AMA Foundation scholarships have had an impact on medical students

Frequently Asked Questions
For medical students interested in applying for AMA Foundation scholarship opportunities

AMA Medical Student Section resources for financing medical school

Donate now
Support the future of medicine now by contributing to the AMA Foundation's scholarship programs

In their own words

La Shawna Clark
Minority Scholars Award recipient 2008
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine

La Shawna Clark and family at the AMA Annual Meeting

"The opportunity to be one of the recipients of this prestigious award has moved me so greatly. It has provided not only much needed tuition assistance but a tremendous boost of encouragement at a time in my life when I needed it most. My family and I are eternally grateful and extend our deepest thanks to you all. Your support strengthens the wind beneath my wings as I soar toward the fulfillment of my life's passion."

Craig W. Anderson, MD
Columbus, Ohio
AMA Foundation Board Member
Donor, Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship, Ohio Honor Fund

"After hearing the plights of the medical students both at the AMA meeting and at home, we decided we could have a greater impact by more rapidly expanding our donations through a larger fund, such as the Ohio Honor Fund. Our foundation gift represents our commitment to the future of medicine. The AMA Foundation unites all physicians on a national level, showing our shared support and compassion."

General application instructions
By February of each year, the AMA Foundation will send a detailed packet of scholarship information to each medical school's office of the dean, student affairs, multicultural affairs and financial aid. It is through one of these offices that you can receive nomination and application information. For the Minority Scholars Award, the Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarships and the Scholars Fund, the office of the dean or dean's designate must select you for these opportunities; you can not apply for assistance directly to the AMA Foundation. Please note all deadlines for any Foundation scholarship or grant application are arrive by" deadlines. This means that if you mail us your application, the materials must arrive at the AMA Foundation headquarters on or before that date.

If you have questions about AMA Foundation scholarship opportunities, please contact:
Dina Lindenberg
Program Officer
(312) 464-4193
dina.lindenberg@ama-assn.org