Search for merit-based scholarships that are awarded to students that have a high grade point average (GPA), a high score on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) or both. Each school has its own merit scholarship requirements, so make sure to check with each individual school about its specific policies. Some schools who give out merit-based scholarships pay only a portion of the student's tuition, while others reward full scholarships for students who show outstanding potential.
Consider the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), which is a military program run by the U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy. This program will pay for all your medical school expenses--tuition, books and other related fees--and give you a small allowance for living expenses. In return, students are required to serve in the military as an active member for four years after they complete medical school. Medical students need to serve 45 days per year to remain active and maintain their scholarship. Future medical students need to be aware that the military will help pay for their education only after they have been accepted into a medical school, since the military does not aid students with the application process.
Look into the American Medical Association (AMA), which is a foundation that awards several medical scholarships a year to deserving students. These scholarships pay about around $10,000 each and have different categories, such as students pursuing a psychiatry career or minority students who show potential.
Find scholarships through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), which is an organization that pays for all of a medical student's school-related expenses. In exchange, students must give four years of service in an underprivileged area once they are done with their medical residency. A requirement of the NHSC scholarship for potential students is committing to a medical specialty beforehand, like family practice, gynecology and pediatrics, which will benefit underprivileged areas where there is a shortage of these services.