Medical School Scholarships Cover Med School Costs

How the David Geffen Medical Scholarships Fund Supports UCLA Medical Students

The cost of medical school is a major consideration for most applicants. As the cost of higher education continues to climb, college graduates feel pressure to secure high-paying jobs to pay off their student loans. The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (DGSOM) recognizes this challenge and works to address students’ financial challenges. The $100-million David Geffen Medical Scholarships Fund covers the entire cost of medical school for all four years, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board and other expenses.

The scholarship, which is 100-percent merit based, encourages exceptional students to apply to the DGSOM. Recipients of the David Geffen Medical Scholarships are free to pursue a career in whichever field of medicine they want, from primary care to the most complex specializations, without the burden of additional debt for their medical education. Every student who applies to the DGSOM is considered for the scholarship, with no separate application required.

The scholarship is awarded to approximately 20 percent of the medical school class. This year, up to 33 students will be awarded the scholarship, which promises a debt-free medical education. The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA scholarship website explains the scholarship's eligibility requirements and answers frequently asked questions.

In this video, medical student Mariel Bailey, DGSOM class of 2017, speaks about being awarded the David Geffen Medical Scholarships. She says, "I knew that it meant I had a lot more freedom now—I had a lot more freedom to pursue a specialty that would be uniquely meaningful to me, without having to worry about choosing a specialty that would cover the cost of my education."

William L. Sheppard, DGSOM class of 2017, another recipient of the David Geffen Medical Scholarship, says that with the David Geffen Medical Scholarships, "the doors are just open, there's endless possibilities. If I wanted to do pediatrics, I can do it; internal medicine, I can do it; general surgery, I can do it; anything, I can do it."

The cost of medical school will continue to influence the career choices of even the most talented students. However, with the David Geffen Medical Scholarships, the DGSOM hopes to encourage the best and brightest students from across the country to pursue a world-class medical education without economic worry.