Apply for merit scholarships that are based on a high grade point average (GPA) on college transcripts or a high score on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). When applying to schools, apply to more than one medical school to increase your odds of acceptance, and inquire at each school about merit-based scholarships for which you might be eligible. Maintaining a high GPA in college and getting a high score on the MCAT will increase your odds of success.
Apply for scholarships based on ethnic background or minority status. Many schools offer minority-based scholarships, as do nonprofit groups and charitable organizations. Some examples include the Chinese American Medical Society Scholarships, the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans and the Mayo Clinic Diversity Scholarship.
Consider the armed forces. The United States Army, Navy and Air Force branches offer a Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) that covers tuition, fees, living expenses and books in return for four years or more of active and reserve duty following the completion of medical school. Students also must participate in 45 days of active duty each year. Students must already be accepted to medical school prior to applying for the HPSP.
Be committed to community service. The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) offers an all-expense paid scholarship to medical school once the individual is accepted to a school of his choice. In return, students must offer four years of service in an area that is underserved by medical personnel and has a need for doctors.
Choose a particular field of interest and apply for subject-based scholarships. For instance, the National Institutes of Health offers a medical scientist scholarship that includes tuition and living expenses for students who receive their M.D. degree as well as a research Ph.D.