Apply for an award through the National Medical Fellowships organization. The awards are doled out based on both need (for first and second year medical students) and merit (geared toward third and fourth year medical students). They are aimed toward improving the medical service in underprivileged communities. The aid usually ranges between $1000 and $10,000. To apply for the need-based awards, students must fill out an application and provide tax information regarding their annual income. For the merit-based funds, students should show both extraordinary academic ability as well as community involvement.
Apply for the Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarships. Five scholarships are given out to exceptional third-year medical students who have demonstrated a commitment to alleviating inequality in the medical community and a commitment to leadership in their field. Given out each November, the awards provide the student with a $5000 scholarship. To apply, students must submit a detailed application to the Association of American Medical Colleges that includes a recommendation letter from the medical school's dean, as well as the minority affairs representative.
Decide on serving those who need it most. The National Health Service will assume the tuition and living expenses of people who hope to become primary-care physicians through their scholarship program. Students who opt for this funding source must be willing to serve in a high-need health professional shortage area for as many years as they've used the support. So if the National Health Service pays for your expenses for three years, then you must be willing to practice in one of these health professional shortage areas for the same length of time. Possible placements include rural areas, public health systems and prisons.