Explore Medical Assistant Scholarships

The medical assistant field can be incredibly fulfilling, and there are a ton of job opportunities that await you. With a medical assistant degree, you can play a vital role in the healthcare system, making a real difference in people’s lives every day. While the opportunities are exciting and becoming a medical assistant is a relatively straightforward process, figuring out how to pay for your education can be daunting. Like you, many aspiring medical assistants worry about the potential debt that might accumulate during their studies.

You don’t have to let financial worries stand in the way of your dreams of becoming a certified medical assistant. There are many medical assistant scholarships available for students like you, whether you choose an online program, a community college, or a private or public university. This guide helps you start your search by providing a list of medical assistant scholarships. It also shares expert tips for writing an application that stands out, shows you where to find additional financial assistance, and more.

Scholarships Available for Medical Assistant Students

The medical assisting field is booming with 15% growth across the nation, and many medical assistant scholarship opportunities have been created to help train more certified medical assistants. This section highlights some scholarships for medical assistants to help you start your search, but you’ll want to do your own research to find more school-specific and local scholarships. Many colleges and technical schools offer medical assistant scholarships specifically for their students. These awards often consider both merit and need, and some require you to be already admitted to a program before you can apply. Eligibility for these medical assistant scholarships depends on factors like academic performance, financial need, location, and specific career goals, so make sure to read the details before applying.

School-Based Scholarships

Minnesota State Community and Technical College

More than half of Minnesota State’s (M State) students attend tuition-free through access to several impressive scholarships. The Workforce Development scholarship, for instance, offers up to $5,000 over four semesters ($1,250 per semester). Dental assisting is one of the many healthcare programs at M State that is eligible for this scholarship.

• Amount: $2,500 per academic year
• Eligibility: Be a Minnesota resident, have a 2.0+ GPA, and be enrolled in at least 9 credits per semester

Northeast Iowa Community College

The Certified Medical Assistant Scholarship at Northeast Iowa Community College offers 100% tuition assistance. It also covers the cost of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) exam fee. This program also guarantees a full-time job upon completion in the same location where students serve their six-week, on-site externships.

• Amount: 100% tuition
• Eligibility: Enrolled in the Certified Medical Assistant program at Northeast Iowa Community College

Rasmussen University

Rasmussen University offers a Medical Assisting Diploma program you can complete in 12 months. Students can receive $1,000 for their first four quarters of study through the Medical Assisting Inspire Grant. They are billed the standard tuition rate plus fees before the grant is applied and are also responsible for all book fees.

• Amount: Up to $4,000
• Eligibility: Continuous enrollment in the medical assistant diploma program

Stepful

Stepful offers an online Certified Medical Assistant program that can be completed in just four months, and most applicants are eligible for scholarships to reduce the cost of tuition. This accelerated program prepares you for National Healthcareer Association (NHA) certification, and the Stepful team works with you to secure clinical hours and a full-time job after you earn that certification.

• Amount: $1,600 to $2,200
• Eligibility: Have a high school diploma or GED and reside in any state except Washington or South Carolina

Hagerstown Community College

Hagerstown Community College (HCC) in Maryland offers a scholarship that could total up to the full cost of its Certified Medical Assistant Training program. This training prepares students for NHA certification. Scholarships are provided through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, which is focused on expanding workforce development in key industries.

• Amount: Varies
• Eligibility: Apply to HCC and submit all required documentation

Lane Community College

Lane Community College (LCC) offers a scholarship covering nearly half the cost of tuition for its Medical Assistant Certificate program. The award amount is split by semester with $2,500 received after successful completion of the first term and the same amount after the second term. The program accepts up to 24 students each year, and clinical labs are held on Lane’s main campus.

• Amount: $5,000
• Eligibility: Enrolled in LCC’s medical assisting program

National and Regional Scholarships

Many regional and national organizations offer medical assistant scholarships. Leading organizations in the medical assistant field – like the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) – can provide information on available national and regional scholarships. Some examples of these types of medical assistant scholarships are highlighted below.

Maxine Williams Scholarship Fund

Named after Maxine Williams, a founder of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), this scholarship aims to cover the administrative costs of earning a medical assisting certification. Scholarship awards and a one-year AAMA membership are granted based on academic ability as well as financial need.

• Amount: $500 to $1,000
• Eligibility: Enrolled in and completed at least onequarter or semester at a college-level medical assisting program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher

Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions

The Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions sponsors a Scholarship of Excellence for health professions students enrolled in member schools. This program targets students with potential for leadership positions in healthcare. Eligible institutions nominate candidates for this scholarship, and nominees must provide a resume/CV and one-page essay detailing reasons for choosing a health profession and intended contributions to that profession.

• Amount: $1,000
• Eligibility: Enrolled in an ASAHP member program and completed at least one term

Alice Newell Joslyn Medical Fund

This scholarship is offered through The BECA Foundation, which focuses on empowering Latino students to pursue higher education. The Alice Newell Joslyn scholarship is for anyone pursuing a degree in the medical/health field, from medical assistant to a doctoral degree. Eligibility is based on financial need, scholastic determination, and community/cultural awareness.

• Amount: $500 to $1,000
• Eligibility: Live or attend college in San Diego County

Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation Scholarships

The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation Scholarship Program assists outstanding students who will fill Wisconsin’s healthcare workforce needs. There are several individual scholarships available through this foundation. Most of the funds go to students enrolled in a Wisconsin school with preference given to Wisconsin residents and those planning to practice in the state after completing their schooling.

• Amount: $5,000
• Eligibility: See individual scholarships for eligibility requirements

“Save a Life” Scholarship for Students of Healthcare and Education

The “Save a Life” Scholarship is given by the American Academy of CPR and First Aid to equip future educators and healthcare professionals as well as spread the importance of first aid training. Given twice a year, this award also seeks to share stories from future educators and healthcare professionals.

• Amount: $1,500
• Eligibility: Be accepted to any program in the healthcare field

Kansas Career Technical Workforce Grant

The goal of this grant is to encourage individuals to further their education and build a strong Kansas workforce. Medical assisting is just one of the high-demand fields eligible for this award. Applicants with financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) receive preference for this award.

• Amount: $500 to $1,000 per year (renewable)
• Eligibility: Be a Kansas resident with a high school diploma or GED and enrolled in or accepted to an eligible career technical or associate degree program

5 Keys to Landing Your Medical Assistant Scholarships

After doing some thorough research and finding a list of medical assistant scholarships you’re eligible for, it’s time to tackle the application process. Solid preparation, being detail-oriented, and staying organized are essential when completing any scholarship application as is keeping track of your applications and their accompanying documents.

Scholarships for medical assistants, both general ones and niche awards, are typically given to students who can highlight their accomplishments well and who write strong essays. In addition to staying on top of deadlines and being willing to reapply when allowed as well as to regularly discover additional scholarships are all keys to landing plenty of medical assistant scholarships.

Go for Niche Awards

While the big-ticket national awards are great to aim for, don’t forget the smaller organizations and local scholarships. You’ll have a better chance of standing out from the crowd since the more niche the scholarship, the less the competition. Every little bit counts, so don’t shy away from scholarships with small amounts. The average scholarship received in 2023 was $4,200, an amount that can make a huge difference in the overall cost of your medical assistant degree.

Don’t Shy Away From Your Accomplishments

Scholarship panels want to hear about what you’ve accomplished and what impact you want to have in your field. Don’t be afraid to weave your successes into your application since each detail plays a role in making an impression on the committee reviewing your application. Use your accomplishments to create a picture of who you are as a person and of your potential as a medical assistant.

Write a Strong Essay

Your essay is your best opportunity to stand out in the scholarship application process. Remember to follow the directions exactly, though. While some applications have more vague prompts where you can tailor your response, others are looking for particular information and will disqualify applicants who neglect to include it. Focus on telling a story that is memorable and unique and that will leave an impression on readers. Be sure to highlight any specific personal experiences and essential skills you have that tie you to this scholarship, career field, or school. Also discuss what drew you to a particular medical assistant program. Above all, make sure your essay answers the given prompt and is free of mistakes.

Stay on Top of Deadlines

Deadlines are important in the medical assistant scholarship process since you could meet every requirement and write a stellar essay only to disqualify yourself by missing a deadline. Set personal deadlines – say, one or two weeks before the given deadline – to give yourself time to review everything. Use a spreadsheet to stay on top of multiple deadlines and don’t wait until the last minute to complete and send in the required information for all your scholarshipopportunities.

Keep Trying

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get a specific scholarship as there are plenty to aim for. Plus, scholarships like the “Save a Life” Scholarship encourage you to re-apply in subsequent scholarship rounds. There are also scholarships offered with deadlines throughout the year, so keep checking for scholarships to add to your list.

Further Financial Assistance

There are many other resources in addition to scholarships to help you pay for your medical assistant training. From loans, grants, and more, medical assistants have a plethora of financial aid options to consider. So, in addition to the online resources that support students success, consider financial resources like student loans, employer tuition reimbursement programs, and other options available to support you in your journey to becoming a medical assistant.

Student loans include those from the federal government and private student loans. Federal loans can be subsidized or unsubsidized.Additionally, some employers offer employer tuition reimbursement programs that cover all or part of an employee’s tuition in exchange for a commitment to work for the company for a certain period after graduation. In addition, many healthcare organizations offer on-the-job training or will pay for your training and certification as a term of employment.

Other financial assistant options for those entering a medical assistant program include paid internships, apprenticeships, and federal work-study programs. Additionally, veterans and active military can receive aid through the GI Bill and veteran assistant programs. Finally, state and local grants, crowdfunding platforms, and community support organizations also often provide financial assistance, and there are quite a few credits, write-offs, and tax breaks available for college students.