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Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
Medical Student Portal

Scholarships

Each year, the Indiana University School of Medicine awards over $8 million in scholarships and loans to academically strong and financially deserving students. These awards are made possible through the generosity of alumni, friends, corporations and foundations who believe in investing in the next generation of physicians.

Scholarships are a key priority for IU School of Medicine. Dean Jay Hess and the Office of Gift Development actively engage donors and alumni to support student funding. Demonstrating their personal commitment, Dean Hess and his wife have personally funded scholarships.

Scholarship Selection Process

Scholarship selections are made by the IU School of Medicine Scholarship Committee each year in late June. You cannot apply for these scholarships; you are notified if selected.

The current categories of scholarship support are academic/merit-based, financial need, and donor-specified (e.g., residency in specific Indiana counties, enrollment at a specific campus).

Recruitment scholarships are awarded throughout the admissions season to attract top-tier students. 

Ineligible for IU School of Medicine scholarships:

  • Students receiving the Indiana Primary Care Scholarship, Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), or National Health Service Corps Scholarship (NHSC)

  • Students enrolled in combined degree programs.

Scholarship requirements

Scholarships may be awarded for one year (with no expectation of renewal) or multi-year (with renewal requirements).

  • All renewal scholarships require clear first time passing of all courses/clerkships

  • Students must be in good academic standing and pass all courses (and USMLE exams) on the first attempt.

    • As defined by the Scholarship Committee, “good academic standing” is a student who is not on academic probation for any reason during the entire preceding academic year or semester.

  • Progress academically in a timely fashion and take exams when appropriate.

  • Loss of scholarship for academic (e.g., failure or repeating a year) and/or professionalism reasons may be permanent.

  • Scholarships from all sources may not exceed total tuition.

  • No more than four years of funding.

External Scholarships

Unlike scholarships with the IU School of Medicine, which you can’t apply for, you are encouraged to investigate other sources of scholarships and grants through hometown banks, churches, hospitals, and fraternal and professional organizations.

For best results, students should contact organizations directly unless otherwise indicated.

Remember: students are responsible for reporting any outside scholarships, grants or non-school sources of loans to the Office of Student Financial Services.

Service-Connected Scholarships

A variety of service-connected scholarships offer funding to students pursuing a medical degree.

 

The Indiana Primary Care Scholarship supports Indiana residents who commit to practice primary care in an under-served area in Indiana. The scholarship pays the recipient’s in-state IU School of Medicine tuition and fees for four years of medical school.

The National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program awards scholarships to students pursuing eligible primary care health professions training. In return, scholars commit to provide primary care health services in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) for a minimum of two years.

The Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program provides recipients with full tuition and fees; reimburses the cost of books, student health insurance and supplies; and pays a monthly stipend. Recipients are commissioned as second lieutenants or ensigns in the inactive service of the Army, Navy or Air Force.

Obligatory service includes a 45-day annual period of active duty, to be performed at a military hospital or medical center and arranged so as not to interrupt the student’s academic work. If required, arrangements can be made to serve this annual active duty while on campus. Following completion of training, recipients are required to serve one year of active duty for each year of aid received, but not less than three years.

The Veterans Affairs Health Professionals Scholarship Program provides recipients with full tuition, mandatory fees and a monthly stipend. Upon completing their educational program and licensure, participants work as permanent, full-time VA employees. Physicians have a service obligation of 18 months for each year of scholarship support.

Students who are veterans should contact the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office to see if they are eligible to receive monthly educational benefits. Students who are eligible must file VA Form 1990, “Applications for Program of Education,” 30 days prior to the beginning of the semester.