Scholarships for Medical Students

OHSU's School of Medicine recognizes that medical education is becoming more costly each year, both for the school and the student. To that end, the School of Medicine has made it a priority to raise scholarship funds for medical students in our Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) program. In partnership with the OHSU Foundation, we intend to increase that list as we continue to find solutions to student indebtedness. UME scholarships, their respective eligibility criteria, and award amount are subject to change on a yearly basis.

 

UME Scholarships - awarded to applicants during admissions process

For applicants who have recently been offered acceptance into the MD Program, UME will notify you if you’ve been selected to receive a scholarship. Therefore, there is no separate application process in order to be considered for one of the UME scholarships. Because admission to the MD program is offered on a rolling basis, the timeline will vary for notifying scholarship recipients.

​​​​​Better health outcomes are achieved when patients visit healthcare providers with similar backgrounds. To ensure that OHSU graduate students help address the healthcare needs of Oregon, the region, and the US, the OHSU President’s Fund will provide funds to qualified students from disadvantaged backgrounds to become health professionals. Funds will cover full tuition and required fees charged to the student’s account for the length of the standard MD program.

​​​​​SHOI was established in 2013 by the State of Oregon to address two critical challenges that exist when educating health providers for the state of Oregon: the high cost of tuition for students and the mal-distribution of providers throughout the state. The Oregon Legislature allocated funding to cover tuition and fees for incoming medical students who also agree to practice as a health care practitioner in an OHSU-approved Oregon designated service site for one year longer than the number of years for which the student receives funding. SHOI funding is awarded annually, effective for one academic year with annual renewal if the student meets the funding requirements. The funding provides for payment of full OHSU tuition and required fees, but does not provide a living allowance. SHOI is awarded through the Provost’s Office.

​​​​​​Students are selected to receive this scholarship based upon academic achievement and a commitment to diversity. The exact scholarship amount fluctuates each year, but is typically between $10,000 - $40,000 per recipient. The scholarship is eligible for renewal in each of the four years of attendance as long as the recipient fulfills scholarship eligibility requirements including maintaining successful academic progress during medical school and participation in a school leadership activity coordinated by the Center for Diversity & Inclusion.

The Pilar A. Bradshaw M.D. Endowed Scholarship for Academic Excellence in Medicine is intended to be entirely merit-based, and is awarded every four years to the top ranked candidate for admission to the OHSU School of Medicine who matriculates at the School. The goal of the scholarship is to provide support for four years through graduation.  Her parents, Dr. Christina M. Holzapfel and Dr. William E. Bradshaw, established this scholarship to honor their daughter, Dr. Pilar A. Bradshaw, an Oregon native and 1995 OHSU School of Medicine graduate, who was elected in her third year as a medical student to Alpha Omega Alpha, and graduated as class valedictorian. The scholarship amount fluctuates annually and will increase from approximately $5,000 in 2020/2021 with the goal to reach payment of full tuition when fully funded.

In 2010, the OHSU School of Medicine received the largest single scholarship gift ever in its history. The $10 million gift to establish an endowed MD scholarship program was made by an anonymous donor. The scholarship establishes a perpetual source of financial assistance for exceptional and distinctive students who have a high probability of positively contributing to Oregon’s future. When the Fund Agreement was signed, the donor had not yet decided on the name of the scholarship program. Since then, the anonymous donor has decided to name the fund “The Swindells Family Scholars Program” in honor of the long history of support OHSU has received over multiple generations from the Swindells family. The donor will remain anonymous.

Students are selected for an interview for the Swindells Scholarship based upon a demonstration of leadership and academic achievement. This scholarship awards $20,000 towards tuition and fees, and is renewal for up to four years as long as students fulfill scholarship requirements. Students are selected to receive this award at the time of admission to OHSU, but this scholarship opportunity is also available to both second- and third-year medical students, and is eligible for renewal in each of their remaining years in medical school. 

​​​​​This scholarship, named after Sam and Susie Niles for their lifelong commitments to medical education and community service, was created by the Niles family to alleviate the financial pressure for medical students. This scholarship will award $18,000 to one incoming student to be applied to their tuition and fees, and is eligible for renewal for up to four years of medical education. This scholarship intends to award a student that displays the values of hard work and a commitment to education, who has come from a financially disadvantaged background, and who has faced challenges in their pursuit of medical education.

​​​​​Dr. Myungja Mia Lee came to OHSU after having studied nursing in her homeland of Korea, and with the support of her family, chose to pursue a career in medicine. Dr. Lee created this scholarship to help increase diversity in the student body as a way to enrich the quality of education provided by OHSU. This scholarship awards a one-time gift of approximately $2,000-$3,000 to one student.

Established by the family of Byong Uk Chung, MD ‘61, this scholarship is intended to support a first generation student for whom English is a second language.

​​​​This scholarship amount fluctuates yearly, but is typically around $12,000 per recipient. The scholarship is eligible for renewal in each of the four years of attendance as long as the recipient fulfills scholarship eligibility requirements including maintaining successful academic progress during medical school and participation in a school leadership activity coordinated by the Center for Diversity & Inclusion. 

The Northwest Native American Center of Excellence (NNACoE) at OHSU is creating opportunities for American Indian and Alaska Native people to pursue careers in health care. Working with partners at Portland State University and the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board representing the 43 Pacific Northwest tribes, Washington State University, and University of California, Davis, NNACoE provides academic enrichment for tribal youth, a pathway to medical school for American Indian and Alaska Native students, and training for OHSU students and early career physicians to better meet the needs of tribal communities. Michael J. Garland, D.Sc.Rel. is a professor emeritus in the OHSU Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and was inspired to establish the NNACoE Endowed Tilikum Scholarship to assist American Indian/Alaska Native medical students with the cost of a medical education. Since its establishment, additional donors have contributed to the endowed scholarship as well. The NNACoE Endowed Tilikum Scholarship is currently awarded every four years, and the School of Medicine prioritizes qualifying students depending on financial need.

The Earl DuBois, MD Scholarship is awarded every four years to one incoming student and is renewable for the length of the standard MD Program. To be considered for this award, students must be in financial need.

UME Scholarships - awarded to current medical students

Current M.D. students will be notified through the Office of UME Sakai site when each UME scholarship is accepting applications along with further criteria, details, and instructions for submission. Because these scholarships have different timelines, students should expect to be notified throughout the year.

​​​​​​In the fall term of each academic year, a partial scholarship towards tuition is equitably dispersed to all medical students who are in good academic standing and who do not already possess a significant scholarship as determined by the School of Medicine. The amount fluctuates yearly according to the number of students and available funds.

The General Scholarship Fund exists thanks to the generous support of numerous alumni, faculty and other friends of the school. By contributing to the annual fund, establishing endowed scholarships and including OHSU in their estate plans, these individuals have committed to sharing the cost of medical education and lowering the barriers to access for the next generation of Oregon’s health care workforce. We are deeply grateful for their partnership. To learn more about supporting medical education at OHSU, please call the OHSU Foundation at (503) 228-1730.  

In 2010, the OHSU School of Medicine received the largest single scholarship gift ever in its history. The $10 million gift to establish an endowed MD scholarship program was made by an anonymous donor. The scholarship establishes a perpetual source of financial assistance for exceptional and distinctive students who have a high probability of positively contributing to Oregon’s future. When the Fund Agreement was signed, the donor had not yet decided on the name of the scholarship program. Since then, the anonymous donor has decided to name the fund “The Swindells Family Scholars Program” in honor of the long history of support OHSU has received over multiple generations from the Swindells family. The donor will remain anonymous.

Second- and third-year medical students are selected for an interview upon demonstration of leadership and academic achievement. The recipients of this scholarship will receive $20,000 toward their tuition and it is eligible for renewal in the remainder of their medical education as long as the recipients fulfill scholarship requirements. The application and interview process takes place in winter and spring terms. 

​​​​​​The Annual Awards for Excellence are awarded yearly to third-year students who are in good academic standing, who have demonstrated humanistic traits, and who have likely been nominated for the Gold Humanism Honor Society. There is no application process and selected students will be notified in spring term. The amount fluctuates yearly, but is typically around $2,000-3,000 per recipient.

​​​​​​The Dean’s Fund for Excellence Scholarships are given to second-year students. To be considered for this award, students must be in the top 10% of their class and display potential for professional development and excellent communication skills. Based upon the criteria, students will be invited to apply in winter and spring terms. The amount fluctuates yearly, but is typically around $5,000 per recipient.

​​​​The School of Medicine Scholarship Committee awards up to four $10,000 scholarships to outstanding medical students in each class (16 awards total) who have demonstrated and sustained an exceptional performance in one or more areas at OHSU.  First-year students are invited to apply in winter or spring term, and second-, third-, and fourth-year students are invited to apply in fall term. 

​​​​​This scholarship is named for the late Edwin C. Cadman, MD, OHSU Alumnus, and 1971 Gold-Headed Cane Awardee, who valued excellence in the practice of medicine, teaching, biomedical research, and academic leadership. This scholarship is given to one fourth-year student based on merit and financial need. Based upon the criteria, there is no application process and the award winner will be notified in fall term. The amount fluctuates yearly, but is typically around $2,000-$5,000.

​​​​​The J. R. Walsh, MD Memorial Fund awards one student from any class who demonstrates an interest in geriatric care and education. Students will be invited to apply in fall term. The amount fluctuates yearly, but is typically around $2,000 - $6,000.

​​​​​The Wendell Memorial Scholarship Fund awards one student from any class who has shown interest in cardiology and/or cardiovascular medicine. Students will be invited to apply in fall term. The amount fluctuates yearly, but is typically around $2,000 - $6,000.

The Beatrice and Susan Rose Endowed Scholarship Fund awards a student from any class who has demonstrated interest in child care as a public health problem and/or research in women’s health. Students will be invited to apply in winter term. The amount may fluctuate yearly, but is typically around $5,000.

​​​​The Robert L. Bacon fund supports one or more student-led projects or programs with awards ranging from $1,000 - $5,000. The fund underwrites the cost of OHSU medical students’ education programs and projects, with an emphasis on value-added programs reaching beyond the core curricular requirements. Students from any class will be invited to submit applications for funding in spring term.

​​​​​Funding is awarded by OHSU Global to support School of Medicine students’ overseas rotations. Appropriate overseas experiences include projects related to public and population health, health education, clinical practice and/or research. Students are expected to spend at least 4 weeks at their overseas site although exceptions to this requirement will be made on a case-by-case basis. If you would like more information about this monetary award, please contact the department directly. 

Additional scholarships and loan repayment opportunities

The following scholarships and loan repayment opportunities are not affiliated with OHSU, but are available to OHSU medical students. If you would like more information, it is suggested to contact the organization directly.

  • Occasionally outside organizations or associations notify the School of Medicine regarding scholarships or loan repayment opportunities applicable to medical students. These are shared with the student body throughout the year via the Office of UME Sakai Site

​​​​​OSAC administers over 400 different scholarships to Oregon residents. All scholarships are listed on this site and application forms can be downloaded.

OMEF offers a joint financial relief and professional development scholarship program available to medical students in Oregon.

​​​​​The AMA Foundation and AMA Alliance work to raise funds for medical school scholarships through the AMA Scholars fund. The amount of the scholarship is dependent on funds available. 

​​​​​The Clerkship Directors in Emergency Medicine has curated a list of scholarship opportunities for eligible students wishing to partake in a visiting elective course outside of OHSU. 

​​​​​The NHSC has scholarship programs available to students in medicine, nursing, dentistry and physician assistant studies. NHSC scholarships typically cover tuition, fees, books and supplies, and provide a monthly living allowance. The NHSC website provides information about the availability as well as the deadline for applying for scholarships.

Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program

  • Each year the Air Force awards scholarships through the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). It pays for tuition, books and most fees. The HPSP also gives students a monthly stipend for living expenses while they attend the school of their choice. Through the Air Force, these scholarships are offered for three and four-year terms. In exchange for the scholarship, your commitment to the Air Force is to serve as an active-duty member with a year-for-year repayment, with a minimum obligation of three years. Your tour of duty begins after you complete any internship and residency training requirements for your career field.

Army Health Professions Scholarship Program

  • The U.S. Army offers one of the most generous and comprehensive scholarships available in healthcare education today. It's called the F. Edward Hébert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program. If you want to become a physician or dentist and qualify, you could earn a 100% full-tuition scholarship and $20,000 sign-on bonus, plus a monthly stipend of more than $2,600 (increases each July) with all required books, equipment and most fees covered.  As the largest military component with over 480,000 Active Soldiers, the U.S. Army offers more career positions and progression opportunities around the world!
  • Your active-duty service obligation to the U.S. Army is one year of service for every year you receive the scholarship. There is an additional obligation for residency and fellowship training.
  • To learn more, call the Vancouver Medical Recruiting Team 360-891-4938. More information can also be found in this U.S. Army HPSP flyer.

Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program

  • The Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program will pay your educationally based tuition and fees for up to four years of school and provide a monthly stipend paid directly to you. In addition, all professional school required fees and expenses, books and equipment are reimbursed by the Navy. After graduation, you’ll join the Navy’s active duty team as a commissioned officer. In return, you agree to serve a minimum of three years on active duty or year for year of scholarship, whichever is longer.
  • Contact NCC Hans Davis, 541-887-7466, hans.davis@navy.mil, for more information.

Administered by the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), the Rural Community Loan Repayment Program is working to combat the opioid epidemic in the nation's rural communities. To that end, this loan repayment program will provide up to $100,000 in student loan repayment to primary care and behavioral health clinicians providing substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in rural communities nationwide.

National Medical Fellowships provides an array of general scholarships and awards, service-learning programs, as well as emergency scholarship funds.

​​​​FastWeb! is a free, national scholarship search service listing over 600,000 scholarships. FastWeb! is easy to use, and information about new scholarships is posted as it becomes available. 

Scholarships360.org is a free scholarships website dedicated to finding vetted scholarship opportunities for students.