EXTERNAL SCHOLARSHIPS
American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
The AAPA website contains a list of scholarships and traineeships along with a list of AAPA Constituent Organization scholarships.
Association of Family Practice Physician Assistants (AFPPA)
The Association of Family Practice Physician Assistants offers four student scholarship awards. Scholarship awards go to first year and to second year Physician Assistant students. Awards are made to those who are student members of the AFPPA, have demonstrated a special interest in primary care medicine, and are currently in good academic standing.
National Health Service Corp (NHSC)
The NHSC Scholarship Program (SP)
This program awards scholarships each year to students pursuing careers in primary care. In return, students commit to serving for two to four years, upon graduation and completion of training.
NHSC Loan Repayment Program
This program is open to licensed primary care medical, dental, and mental and behavioral health providers who are employed or seeking employment at approved sites.
Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA)
The Nathaniel Alston Student Achievement Scholarship Award
This award has been established by the PSPA to recognize students who have demonstrated the highest standards of the PA profession through their experience and knowledge by promoting goodwill, public recognition and professional development of the PA profession. An award of $2000 will be presented to three PA students. These awards will be selected on a competitive basis. Each student applicant will be competing against other student applicants from their respective PA Programs in Pennsylvania.
Thomas J. Lemley Award for Health Disparity
The PSPA Diversity Council sponsors this annual award competition. Entrants must submit an essay, video, PowerPoint, or photo slide presentation related to the selected topic. Winners are awarded $1,500 for first place and $1,000 for second place.
Physician Assistant Foundation
The Physician Assistant Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). The PA Foundation offers competitive scholarships for physician assistant students who are currently attending an accredited PA program, are in the professional phase of the program, and are student members of the AAPA. PA Foundation scholarships are designed to help students complete their education.
The AAPA offers two scholarships:
Johnson & Johnson Scholarship
The Johnson & Johnson Scholarship was established to provide financial aid to deserving underrepresented minority PA students, with the goal of increasing diversity in the physician assistant workforce and alleviating disparities in access to healthcare among underserved populations.Scholarship recipients are selected based on financial need, academic performance, community service and commitment to providing care in underserved communities.
PA Foundation Scholarships
The PA Foundation supports PA students through its Annual Student Scholarship program, and PA doctoral candidates who are making a contribution to research on the influence of PAs in medical care.
Society of Army Physician Assistants (SAPA)
The Society of Army Physician Assistants honors the memory of Captain Sean P. Grimes, a physician assistant who was killed in action while serving as the battalion physician assistant in Korea, through the annual scholarship, the Captain Sean P. Grimes Physician Assistant Educational Scholarship Award. Applications and details about the scholarship and Captain Sean Grimes’ life can be found on the SAPA website. The scholarship will be awarded at the annual SAPA conference to a deserving student selected by the SAPA Board of Directors. Must be an Army veteran, retiree, active duty, active National Guard, or active army reservist.
The United States Navy
Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)
Receive 100% tuition assistance while completing an eligible physician assistant education program, plus a monthly stipend.
Navy Health Services Collegiate Program (HSCP)
Receive up to $134,600 while finishing your degree. This amount includes a generous monthly salary and housing allowance.
Navy Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP)
Receive up to $80,000 to help repay your graduate school loans by applying to receive $40,000 each year for up to two years. To be eligible, you must serve as an Active Duty Medical Service Corps Officer for each year you receive the loan payment.
United States Public Health Service (USPHS)
The Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (COSTEP)
COSTEP offers students in health professions the chance to gain professional experience for periods of 31 to 120 days at sites around the country through a program called the Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (JRCOSTEP).
The Senior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (SRCOSTEP)
This highly competitive program is available to full-time students about to begin their final year of academic study or professional training. Those selected for the program will become Commissioned officers in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) and receive full pay and benefits of an active duty officer for up to 12 months just for finishing their education and training. In return for financial assistance, SRCOSTEP participants agree to work for the USPHS sponsoring agency as a Commissioned Corps officer immediately after graduation. The service obligation is equal to twice the time sponsored.