Scholarships for PA School
A recent report by the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) showed an increase in median educational loans for end of program students to $105,000. Although many PA school students use student loans to pay for their education, there are other sources. Most scholarships don’t cover the total cost of PA school, but they can help ease some of the burdens.
If you have extra time on your hands, you should be looking for scholarship opportunities. Many applications are open in the spring, with deadlines in May or June and some as early as March.
Here is a list of some scholarships for PA students:
PA Student Scholarships
PA Foundation Scholarships
Application deadline: Cycle 1 – March 12, Cycle 2 – August 13
The PA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the AAPA (American Academy of PAs) and provides a few options for scholarship opportunities. They range from $1000 – $2000 and have different qualifications for each. For a complete list of opportunities; and for more information on applying for PA Foundation scholarships, visit PA Foundation Scholarships.
National Health Service Corps
The National Health Service Corps offers scholarships for those who are interested in primary care. If you commit to working at least two years at an NHSC-approved site after graduating, the scholarship pays tuition, fees, other education costs, and a living stipend.
TYLENOL® Future Care Scholarship
Application period: Opens in spring
The TYLENOL® Future Care Scholarship is awarded annually to students pursuing careers in health care. There are ten $10,000 scholarships and thirty $5,000 scholarships available. For rules and information on applying, check out: https://www.tylenol.com/news/scholarship.
AAPA Constituent Organization PA School Scholarships
PAOS | Susan Landahl Memorial Scholarship
Application deadline: April 1, 2021
Susan Landahl Memorial Scholarship provides two scholarships for $5000. It is for students interested in a career in orthopedics.
AASPA Scholarship | Susan and Tom Lusty Memorial Scholarship
Application deadline: July 1, 2021
Susan and Tom Lusty Memorial Scholarship award $1000 to students in either their didactic or clinical year.
Society of Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants | Paul S. Robinson Award
Application deadline: January
The Paul S. Robinson Award is for PA students in their second year interested in emergency medicine once finished with PA school. There are two awards available for $1500 each.
PA State Chapters
Scholarships might be available through PA state chapters. However, this depends on the location of your school and where you are a resident.
For residents of Florida, the Florida Academy of PAs offers a scholarship for current PA students. You can apply online at https://fapaonline.site-ym.com/page/studentscholarship
University Scholarships
Once accepted to a PA program, check with your school to see if they have any scholarships available. Often donors will give money to a specific program, only for students that are attending that program.
Chapman University | Simon Scholar Physician Assistant Program
Application deadline: September 15, 2021
For those looking for a full-tuition scholarship, Chapman University offers the Simon Scholar Physician Assistant Program. A program designed for students facing adversity. The scholarship provides an opportunity to attend PA school with limited debt upon graduation. Qualified applicants to Simon Scholar PA program scholarship must also meet Chapman University PA program admissions requirements and be willing to commit to clinical practice as PA in Orange or San Diego County post-graduation.
Summary of PA School Scholarships
The options might be limited, but there are a few opportunities to receive scholarships for your PA education. In most cases, it won’t cover the total cost of PA school but can help ease the burden. If scholarships are not the answer for you, look for other opportunities to have your school paid, such as joining a military service or committing to working in an underserved area.
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