How can I learn more about government and military service programs that will help pay for medical school?

Service commitment programs pay for the costs of attending medical school in return for service as a physician after you complete your medical training.  Awards are available through a number of federal and state organizations. Your school’s financial aid advisor can be an excellent resource for more information about these programs. Examples of service commitment programs include the following:

• The Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program offers full support to students enrolled in civilian medical schools in exchange for military service after residency training in the:
  • Air Force
  • Army
  • Navy
    
    

• In addition, the military sponsors a medical school as part of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). Applicants who are accepted to USUHS pay no tuition or fees. They are accepted into the university as commissioned officers in one of the four uniformed services (Army, Navy, Air Force, or Public Health Service), in exchange for a seven year active duty commitment.
  
  
• The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and offers a scholarship program (full support) and loan repayment program in exchange for medical practice in communities of greatest need following completion of medical training.
  • National Health Service Corps “Ambassadors” in health professions across the country can answer questions about NHSC programs.  Contact them by calling 1-800-221-9393, or by visiting their Web site (click on “Join Us” and then click on “Ambassadors”)
    
    
• State loan forgiveness or repayment programs are available to practicing physicians, residents, and (sometimes to) medical students to repay education loans in return for medical service in the state’s areas of need.