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Student Financial Aid

MD Scholarships

  • over $8,800,000 in scholarship assistance offered to admitted students for the Class of 2028
  • 68% of the Class of 2028 received either a need-based or merit-based scholarship from Vanderbilt
  • 49% of our most recent class of Vanderbilt School of Medicine students graduated without medical school debt (nationally, only 29% of all medical school students graduate without debt)

Vanderbilt Merit-Based Scholarships

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine proudly offers merit scholarships to incoming students. A separate application for merit scholarships is not required. The Office of MD Admissions will consider all admitted applicants for merit scholarships. If awarded a merit scholarship, you will receive the same amount for each of four years of study toward the MD degree at Vanderbilt. International students are considered for merit-based awards. In 2024-2025, students will be offered both 75% tuition and full tuition awards.

Vanderbilt Need-Based Scholarships

Vanderbilt University also offers need-based scholarships to incoming students. Students that are not awarded merit-based scholarships are encouraged to apply for need-based institutional scholarships. To be considered for a need-based institutional scholarship you must complete the CSS Profile at css.collegeboard.org (code 0670) and include parental financial data. Parental information will be used to determine eligibility, regardless of age or change in marital status. This policy ensures that funds are distributed in the most equitable manner to those students with the greatest real need. International students can complete the CSS Profile and be considered for need-based scholarships. The CSS Profile is completed only once. In 2024-2025, need-based awards will be awarded up to 45% of a student’s demonstrated need.

Outside Scholarships

When the Office of Student Financial Aid is notified of possible outside scholarships, students are contacted via email and encouraged to apply. Also, students are encouraged to check out the possibility of obtaining financial assistance from the following types of organizations:

  • Agencies administering programs for veterans and their children
  • Agencies administering vocational rehabilitation programs
  • County medical societies and their auxiliaries
  • Credit unions
  • Employers with scholarship or loan programs for employees and their families
  • Fraternal organizations to which you or your parents belong
  • High schools and colleges with awards for alumni pursuing post-graduate study
  • Local churches
  • Local civic organizations
  • Local hospitals and their auxiliaries
  • Local medical societies
  • Sororities and fraternities
  • State and tribal programs for Native Americans
  • State student assistance agencies
  • Unions to which you or your parents belong

Other foundation and miscellaneous donor loan and scholarship programs may be available in your hometown or state, and will ordinarily require your personal concentrated research efforts.

International students should see www.edupass.org/finaid (Financial Aid for International Students) for sources of funding.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit organizations supporting higher education, is designed to assist students of Hispanic heritage (at least one of your grandparents must be Hispanic) to obtain a graduate degree. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident DACA student, or eligible non-citizen. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, and the amount is based on the student’s need. Awards range from $500-$5,000. Applications are accepted beginning in January each year, with a deadline of mid-February. Vanderbilt does not administer this scholarship program.

Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program

The Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), an outside scholarship, offers two-, three- and four-year military scholarships. The HPSP covers civilian medical school tuition, pays for fees, provides a monthly living stipend and includes a signing bonus under certain conditions. The scholarship is offered by the Air Force, Army, and Navy, and the benefits are the same across all three Services. Vanderbilt does not administer this scholarship program.

Indian Health Service (IHS) Scholarships for Native Americans

The Health Professions Scholarship Program, an outside scholarship from the Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives, provides financial assistance for qualified American Indian and Alaska Native (members of federally recognized tribes) students only in exchange for a service obligation. Scholarship recipients agree to fulfill a minimum two-year service commitment to practice at an Indian health facility upon completion of their academic or post-graduate clinical training. IHS makes direct payment to cover tuition and required fees, and provides a monthly stipend of no less than $1,500/month for living expenses. IHS also makes a one-time payment for educational expenses as part of your first stipend to cover books, tutorial services, travel and post office box rental. Vanderbilt does not administer this scholarship program.

National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program (NHSC)

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program, an outside scholarship from the Health Resources and Services Administration, provides funding for education for students pursuing a career in primary health care in exchange for practicing in rural, urban and tribal communities with limited access to care. Tuition, required fees, reasonable educational costs and a monthly stipend are paid in exchange for a service obligation. Each year of support incurs a year of service; however, there is a 2-year minimum and a 4-year maximum. Students must be U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals. Vanderbilt does not administer this scholarship program.

National Medical Fellowships Scholarship

Various scholarships are offered through National Medical Fellowships, a national organization, for students currently underrepresented in the medical profession (African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Native Americans, Asian Americans (Vietnamese and Cambodian only) and Pacific Islander.) Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or a DACA student. Students must demonstrate leadership ability and desire a commitment to serve medically underserved communities. Vanderbilt does not administer this scholarship program.