Online Resources & Scholarships for Physician Assistant Students
Thinking about a career as a physician assistant (PA) or already on your way? The U.S. Department of Labor predicts the demand for new PAs over the next several years will be almost four times the national average for other jobs. The path to becoming a physician assistant begins with a college degree, and you may be looking for money to help pay for tuition. Keep reading to learn about scholarships and resources to help launch your PA career.
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Scholarships and Grants for Physician Assistant Students
Scholarships and grants are the most sought-after types of financial aid because, unlike student loans, they don’t need to be repaid. Grants are given almost exclusively based on financial need and are typically offered by federal and state government, private and public organizations, and colleges and universities. Scholarships have broader eligibility criteria and are offered by a wider variety of sponsors, including schools, nonprofits, professional associations, private companies, individuals, and religious and civic groups. Here’s a closer look at some of the scholarships available for online physician assistant students.
The Physician Associate Foundation PA Student Scholarships
Applicants must be a student member of American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) and enrolled in a degree program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. Applicants must have completed at least one semester of PA studies and demonstrate leadership in their PA program or in a community health organization/project.
Amount: $1,000
Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) Scholarship of Excellence
Open to students enrolled in a career entry-level degree program at an ASAHP institutional member school who have completed at least one term. Candidates are nominated by their school, one nomination per institution for each round of scholarships. The institution must submit the nomination form online and include a letter of endorsement, nominee resume, and short essay written by the nominee.
Amount: $1,000
Eva Dimitrov, MD, & Physician Assistants in Hospice and Palliative Medicine (PAHPM) Student Scholarship
Applicant must be a PA student in good standing (3.0 or higher GPA) with demonstrated leadership in hospice and/or palliative medicine. PAHPM and AAPA/SAAPA memberships required. Applicants must provide transcripts, a letter of recommendation, and a statement of purpose explaining their interest in hospice and palliative care.
Amount: $1,500
HOSA Scholarships
Open to high school seniors and college students, applicants must intend to study or already be enrolled in a physician assistant degree program. Factors considered in making awards include academic achievement, involvement in community activities, leadership experience, HOSA-related ideas and involvement, and personal essay quality.
Amount: Varies
Indian Health Service Scholarship Program
Open to U.S. citizens who are members of a federally recognized American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native village and are enrolled in an eligible degree program. Recipients must agree to a two-year service commitment at a program-approved site following graduation. Documentation required includes proof of tribe or village membership, transcripts, proof of degree program acceptance, and degree plan of study.
Amount: Varies
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National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program
Applicants must be enrolled full-time in an accredited PA degree program leading to certification. Requires a two-year service commitment at an NHSC-approved practice site. Application documents include proof of citizenship, resume or CV, proof of enrollment in good standing, letters of recommendation, essays, and tuition and fee schedule.
Amount: Varies
National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF) Professional Student Scholarship
Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time PA program with at least two years of study remaining. Applicants are not required to be of Hispanic descent; however, they must have an affinity for the health of Hispanic communities and an interest in NHHF Student Alumni participation. Required documents include a resume or CV, unofficial transcripts, letter of recommendation, and personal statement.
Amount: Varies
Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program
Open to applicants of Native Hawaiian ancestry enrolled in a full-time PA degree program (which is not required to be in Hawaii). Award winner must agree to a two-year service commitment in a program-eligible practice site in Hawaii. The award covers tuition, a stipend, and school-related costs.
Amount: Varies
Physician Associates for Latino Health (PALH) Scholarships
Open to PA students in good standing (minimum 3.0 GPA) with demonstrated leadership in the Latino community and interest in Latino health issues. Latino descent isn’t required, but applicants must be PALH and AAPA members. Applications must include a letter of recommendation and personal statement discussing background, career goals, and relevant experiences working with disparities in the Latino community.
Amount: Varies
Prentiss L. Harrison Memorial/ African Heritage PA Caucus Scholarship
Available to current PA students in good standing who have completed one term of their studies. African Heritage PA Caucus membership is required. To apply, submit transcripts, two letters of reference, and a 1,000-word essay.
Amount: $500 to $1,000
The Keys to Succeed on Physician Assistant Scholarship Applications
There are two main elements to winning scholarship awards — applying for the right scholarships and applying the right way. That means making sure you are eligible for the award and ensuring your application impresses the selection committee. Here are five keys to making the most of your scholarship campaign.
Key #1: Start small, local, and specific
You’ll find lots of large, prestigious scholarship contests with big payouts. The problem is they’re usually open nationwide, attracting lots of applicants. What you might not know is that there are also many smaller scholarships, often open to students within a limited geographic area, a particular major (like physician assistant), or a particular school or program. These scholarships tend to attract a much smaller number of applicants, making your chances of winning greater.
Key #2: Read the application requirements carefully
Read all eligibility requirements and application instructions carefully and meet them fully and exactly. If you don’t qualify for an award, your application will be immediately passed over and you will have wasted time and effort.
Key #3: Go for scholarships with lots of requirements
Some scholarships require you to jump through a bunch of hoops to apply, with long questionnaires, essays, multiple letters of recommendation, and even videos. Your natural reaction may be to pass over these contests. Think about it, though: If you’re willing to pass them by, so are others. That means fewer applicants. And fewer applicants means a higher chance you’ll win.
Key #4: Tailor your essays to each scholarship
A big mistake many students make is to write one essay or personal statement and use it for every scholarship. Take the time to tailor your essay to the unique purposes and goals of each sponsoring organization. Be specific and passionate about why you want to be a physician assistant to make a real impression on the award committee.
Key #5: Watch out for deadlines
All scholarships have deadlines. And if you miss them, your chances of winning are over, no matter how well you do on the rest of the application. So be sure to track the deadlines for all the scholarships you’re applying to and check your list regularly to keep a deadline from sneaking up on you.
Essential Funding Resources for Physician Assistant Students
Finding the right degree program and ways to pay for it are big challenges, but they’re not the only ones you’ll face. You’ll likely face other hurdles in earning your PA degree, from forming good study habits to gearing up for clinicals to staying up to date on issues in your field. Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone. Countless campus-based and online resources are available to help PA students succeed, helping you keep your current scholarships and making you a great candidate for new ones, too.
AAPA
The preeminent professional association of PAs in the United States, the AAPA’s mission is to be a leader in the profession and empower its members in the advancement of their careers and in providing enhanced patient care. AAPA is a great source for scholarships and offers career support, interview prep and more.
Hospital Medicine Exchange (HMX)
The online discussion board of the Society of Hospital Medicine, the HMX offers members a place to connect and collaborate with thousands of other hospital medicine professionals. Learn about their student experiences, get leads on scholarships and funding sources, and immerse yourself in all things hospital related.
How to Survive PA School: A Guide for Physician Assistant Students
Get your in-the-trenches advice right here. From study and time management tips to useful apps and insider advice on clinicals, consult this EduMed guide. You’ll be grounded and ready to head to the top of your class.
Huddle
Sponsored by the AAPA, Huddle is a networking hub for PA professionals and students. Members join, form new community platforms, post questions to peers, browse the membership directory, and find or become PA mentors (who are excellent sources of scholarship information and recommendations). Access requires AAPA membership.
Inside Online Physician Assistant Programs
This EduMed guide provides an inside look at what it’s like to earn a PA degree online and helps you find the online PA degree program that best suits your unique academic needs and study preferences. That’s key to being successful and to translating that success into scholarship wins.
JAAPA Podcast
This excellent podcast series from the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (JAAPA) offers monthly episodes, each taking a comprehensive look into diseases and conditions often encountered by PAs. With this information, you’ll be well-equipped to discuss PA-related issues in scholarship interviews or essays.
The PA Platform: Pre-Physician Assistant Advice + Coaching YouTube Channel
This YouTube channel features a series of videos covering PA-related topics. Episode titles include “Resumes and CVs for PA School & Physician Assistant Jobs,” “Personal Statement Mistakes!” and “Should You Take a Gap Year Before PA School?” — topics important for strengthening your scholarship applications.
Pi Alpha – The National Honor Society for Physician Assistants
Sponsored by the Physician Assistant Education Association, Pi Alpha is the national honor society promoting the interests of its PA student and graduate members. Pi Alpha sponsors member activities, publishes the Journal of Physician Assistant Education, and more. Membership in Pi Alpha is definitely something to list at the top of any scholarship application.
Transitioning to Online School: A Guide for Healthcare Students
Another excellent EduMed resource, this guide provides great advice for making a smooth transition into the online college environment. By avoiding the hiccups that sometimes come with starting college, you also won’t risk any scholarships due to disappointing grades or early struggles.
