Medical School Scholarships & Grants
Find Medical School Scholarships and Grants at UCLA
We offer a variety of medical school scholarships and grants to help make your medical education more affordable. This page outlines the different internal and external funding opportunities that do not require repayment. For information on loans and FAFSA, please visit our Applying for Aid page.
This page outlines the types of medical school scholarships, grants, and programs that do not need to be paid back. To apply for loans and see FAFSA information, please see the Applying for Aid page to learn more.
Internal Medical School Scholarships
Medical school scholarships available from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (DGSOM), UCLA campus, and their affiliates are known as internal scholarships - most of which require no action on the applicant's part other than applying for financial aid.
Leaders of Tomorrow Scholars Program
The UCLA Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship pays full tuition for select students, as well as a one-time $5,000 research stipend. The award, created in 2012 by an anonymous donor and since supported by the school’s alumni and friends, gives aspiring physicians, scientists, and community change agents the gift of pursuing their dreams unburdened by debt. The medical school scholarship is renewed annually for four years based on satisfactory academic performance and participation in program activities. All applicants to the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA are automatically considered for the UCLA Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship through the application and interview process.
UCLA Philanthropic Scholarships
The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the UCLA campus, and its affiliates have various medical school scholarships for medical students made possible through the generous support of alumni and friends. Criteria for each award will vary; many are based on students' financial needs. We encourage you to apply for financial aid annually by completing the DGSOM Financial Aid Application. Shortly after submitting your financial aid application, you will receive an e-mailed financial aid estimate (provisional award letter) for newly admitted students or a Financial Aid Notification letter for our continuing medical students.
L.A. Care
Learn MoreExternal Medical School Scholarships for Aspiring Physicians
Outside or external medical school scholarships supplement your DGSOM/UCLA scholarships and reduce your student loan within your annual financial aid package. Therefore, outside medical school scholarships are a key component in minimizing borrowing and reducing overall medical school loan indebtedness.
American Medical Association
Medical students are represented through their own democratic, policy-making body: the American Medical Association - Medical Student Section (AMA-MSS). There are opportunities for scholarship selection with differing funds.
National Health Service Corp
The National Health Scholarships pay tuition, fees, and other educational costs, and provide a living stipend in return for a commitment to work for at least 2 years at an NHSC-approved site in a medically underserved community. Learn more and search opportunities below.
National Medical Fellowships
National Medical Fellowships (NMF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number of underrepresented minority physicians and other professionals in the healthcare workforce in order to improve access to quality healthcare in medically underserved communities.
AAMC Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarships
These $5,000 awards consist of five scholarships given to outstanding students entering their third year of medical school who have shown leadership in efforts to eliminate inequities in medical education and health care and have demonstrated leadership efforts in addressing educational, societal, and health care needs of racial and ethnic minorities in the US.
Kaiser Permanente - Oliver Goldsmith Scholarship
The Oliver Goldsmith, MD Scholarship program focuses on enhancing culturally responsive care by supporting and recognizing third- and fourth-year medical students who explore these issues through participation, development, leadership, and research. Recipients also receive the opportunity to engage in robust clinical experiences at Kaiser Permanente facilities and mentoring by Kaiser Permanente physicians.
External Scholarships
To explore additional scholarship opportunities that you may be eligible for, please visit the link below!
Disbursement of Outside Medical School Scholarships
Students receiving outside scholarships should request that the awarding agency make the checks payable to UC Regents.
Checks should be mailed/forwarded to:
Payment Solutions & Compliance Office
University of California, Los Angeles
Box 957089, 1125 Murphy Hall
405 Hilgard Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90095-7089
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What types of medical school scholarships are available to students?
We offer a variety of internal medical school scholarships, including full-tuition programs like the Leaders of Tomorrow Scholars Program, as well as need-based and philanthropic awards funded by alumni and donors.
Do I need to apply for internal scholarships?
No. Most internal medical school scholarships at the David Geffen School of Medicine are automatically considered when you apply for financial aid.
How are outside medical school scholarships disbursed to students?
Outside scholarship checks should be made payable to UC Regents. The financial aid office will apply these funds directly to your student account.
