The philanthropic arm of the AAPA offers 13 scholarships each application cycle. Scholarships can be very competitive, so it’s important to put time into writing impactful applications.
The Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program pays full tuition and a monthly stipend in exchange for years of service after graduation. The scholarship is available to anyone enrolled in PA school.
Career Opportunities
Physician assistants are qualified medical professionals that compose a critical part of the healthcare workforce. Although they aren’t doctors in the traditional sense, PAs perform many of the functions traditionally offered by medical doctors – diagnosing, treating and examining patients. As a result, physician assistants play a pivotal role in providing care for underserved populations and helping to alleviate health disparities.
Scholarships for PA students provide valuable financial support that can significantly reduce the cost of pursuing a PA degree. They are one of the most popular sources of college funding, along with student loans and federal aid programs such as the GI Bill for active duty and veteran students. Private foundations, corporations, and professional associations also offer scholarships for PA students.
Choosing the right PA scholarship opportunities requires research and thoughtful planning. As you evaluate the options available, look for scholarship opportunities that align with your professional goals and personal interests. Make sure you take the time to prepare a compelling application that clearly and concisely outlines why you chose the field of PA and what your future career plans are. Personal experiences and activities that demonstrate a true passion for the profession can elevate your application and help you stand out from the crowd.
As you consider your options, it’s important to remember that the best PA scholarships are competitive. You will likely need to submit a compelling personal statement and letters of recommendation, as well as meet the academic eligibility requirements. Make sure you follow the specified instructions and apply before the deadline. Also, be sure to proofread your application and seek feedback from mentors and writing centers to ensure that it’s polished and impactful.
Many PA scholarship opportunities are specifically targeted to students from historically marginalized groups or economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. These scholarships can help to address the growing need for diversity in healthcare, which is widely recognized as an essential component of delivering quality patient-centered care. Examples include the Ron Pace Memorial Scholarship, Willian H. Marquardt Community Health Access Scholarship, and the Joyce Nichols Memorial Scholarship for Black PA students.
Self-Awareness
PA scholarships provide students with an opportunity to grow professionally and personally. They help students become more aware of their own strengths, weaknesses and values. They also help students develop and maintain healthy relationships with others, which is critical to success in a medical field where patients’ lives are often on the line.
In addition, many physician assistant scholarships are based on a student’s financial need and commitment to community service or public health initiatives. This can encourage a student to explore their passions and find ways to incorporate them into their career, which can lead to greater satisfaction in the workplace and more opportunities for professional growth.
The National Health Service Corps scholarship provides a paid internship that allows PA graduates to repay their student loans in exchange for work in communities with high numbers of people who do not have access to quality healthcare. This program is available for physician assistants and other medical professions, including nurses and nurse practitioners.
Another way to reduce the costs of a PA education is to apply for a military scholarship, such as the Army HPSP. This scholarship covers full tuition and a monthly stipend, plus reimburses books and supplies. The Society of Army Physician Assistants offers a scholarship in honor of Captain Sean P. Grimes, who was killed in action while serving as a battalion physician assistant in Korea. The application process is closed for this year, but the SAPA website has helpful resources and information on future applications.
Other prestigious scholarships are available from the Physician Assistant Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the American Association of Physician Assistants. For example, the Ron Pace Memorial Scholarship provides $1,000 to a Florida-based student who is a veteran or the child/dependent of a veteran. The Joyce Nichols Memorial Scholarship is awarded to Black PA students, and the Willian H. Marquardt Community Health Access Scholarship is granted to PA students who are dedicated to promoting accessible primary and preventative healthcare amongst underserved populations.
GW’s Scholarship Committee is committed to increasing scholarship funding to help more students attend the GW Physician Assistant Program. This is important for a strong and vibrant PA community. We look forward to supporting the continued development of a diverse cohort of talented and capable health care professionals who are ready to make an impact on our local and global communities.
Personal Growth
Scholarships are among the most desirable types of financial aid because they don’t have to be repaid. They can also provide the opportunity to gain work experience, build networks and explore areas of interest. Unlike student loans, scholarships are offered by a variety of sources, including schools, organizations, foundations and private individuals. If you are a physician assistant student, you may be eligible for many different types of scholarships. To increase your chances of winning, research all available options and carefully review the criteria for each. Be sure to follow the specified application instructions and submit your applications before the deadlines. Lastly, proofread your personal statement and seek feedback from mentors or writing centers before submitting it.
Scholarship programs can be incredibly diverse, with awards ranging from those focused on a particular area of medicine to those based on specific demographics. For example, the Association of Physician Assistants in Oncology offers generous scholarships to students with a strong interest in oncology. Applicants must be accepted or enrolled in an accredited PA program, be a member of SAPA and demonstrate a commitment to the cause.
The National Health Service Corps is another scholarship program that offers full tuition and a monthly stipend in exchange for two years of service in medically underserved areas after graduation. These areas can include public or nonprofit private medical facilities, geographic locations with a shortage of healthcare providers, or specific populations like migrant communities.
Similarly, there are many scholarships that support students with a passion for the arts. For instance, the Ron Pace Memorial Scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated a commitment to inter-professional education (IPE) and the advancement of the physician assistant profession. This award is also given to students from military families and those who have demonstrated a dedication to the Army values of honor, loyalty and courage.
There are also scholarships for students who identify as LGBTQ+, live with a disability, have a history of mental illness, or come from a minority background. These and other types of scholarship can help amplify the voices of marginalized students and make their education and career more accessible.
Lifelong Learning
Whether you’re in the early stages of your education or are already well into it, scholarship opportunities are a great way to get involved with community projects and learn more about the profession. Many of these scholarships require students to demonstrate a deep interest in their future career and a dedication to making the world a better place. In addition, the personal statement that you write as part of your application to these programs can be a powerful tool to make your passion for your chosen field come through.
During the interview process, demonstrating that you’re committed to lifelong learning can also help set you apart from other applicants. For example, some of the more prestigious physician assistant scholarships offered by the PA Foundation are awarded to students who have demonstrated excellence in one of the following categories:
The National Health Service Corps offers full scholarships to future and current physician assistants who agree to practice for a few years in medically underserved areas upon graduation. This program has proven to be a successful way of alleviating the current healthcare shortage by encouraging PAs to choose primary care as their specialties.
Another option for future and current PAs is the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which offers a significant reduction in your student loans after you’ve made 120 qualifying monthly payments. This is an ideal program for those who want to work in underserved areas, as it can be applied to your entire debt load.
In addition, the IHS Health Professions Scholarship provides funding to American Indian and Alaska Native students in order to educate and train health professionals to staff Indian health programs. In return, students agree to a two-year practice obligation at an IHS facility after their PA training program.
Scholarships are an essential way for prospective and current physician assistants to pursue their dreams of becoming a healthcare professional without having to worry about the financial burden. However, applying to these programs requires some planning and research. It’s important to follow the specified instructions for each individual program and double-check that you’ve included all required documents before submitting your application. Additionally, be sure to proofread your personal statement and seek feedback from mentors or writing centers to ensure that it’s polished and impactful.