Although there are many grants to cover your medical school tuition, books and other expenses, you should also consider fellowships for advanced students and research grants for special projects.
Private foundations often develop their own criteria for grants for medical-school students, so it is important to thoroughly check their requirements. Find out if there are any residency requirements, if they only fund students at specific medical schools and what GPA requirements they have for medical students.
Before applying for medical-school grants, familiarize yourself with potential sources. It may be beneficial to begin with financial-aid options through your university, the American Medical Student Association, Association of American Medical Colleges, WDS Medical Student Awareness Program, and many others. A good place to begin searching is through grant databases, such as the Foundation Center, which can provide you with information about potential funders.
During the application process, fill out the application correctly. Medical students should demonstrate their academic skills, financial need and commitment to the community. Discuss why you are attending medical school and what you will be studying. Demonstrate your accomplishments, including volunteer work.
As you apply and search for medical school grants, make a note of the duration of the grant or scholarship funding. This can help you stay on track for renewing your request for future years.