Study Medicine in the United States with Full or Partial Funding
Medical education in the United States is among the most prestigious in the world, but it also comes with one of the highest price tags. For international students, pursuing a degree in medicine can be financially challenging. Fortunately, there are several medical scholarships in the USA available to foreign students in 2025, including options that cover full tuition, living expenses, and more.
This guide highlights the best medical scholarships open to international applicants, how to qualify, and how to apply.
Why Study Medicine in the USA?
- Access to world-class hospitals and clinical training
- Top-ranked medical schools (Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Stanford)
- Global career opportunities
- Exposure to advanced research and technology
- Scholarships available for exceptional international candidates
Key Challenges for International Medical Students
Most U.S. medical schools prioritize domestic students
Limited financial aid for non-citizens
Admission is extremely competitive
Prerequisite undergraduate coursework is required
Despite these hurdles, many graduate-level or research-based scholarships can fund your medical education pathway if planned strategically.
Best Medical Scholarships in the USA for Foreign Students (2025)
1. Harvard Medical School Financial Aid Program
- Institution: Harvard University
- Coverage: Need-based grants that can cover up to full tuition
- Eligibility: International students are eligible; must demonstrate financial need
- Focus: MD and joint-degree programs
- Deadline: March–April 2025
- Website: hms.harvard.edu
Harvard is one of the few schools offering substantial aid to non-U.S. citizens.
2. Stanford Medical Scholars Research Program
- Institution: Stanford University School of Medicine
- Coverage: Tuition support + stipend for research projects
- Eligibility: Enrolled international medical students
- Focus: Clinical or translational research
- Website: med.stanford.edu
While not a full scholarship, this program supports research-oriented students with funding and exposure.
3. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (Health Fields)
- Coverage: Full tuition, living allowance, travel, insurance
- Eligibility: Citizens of eligible countries pursuing public health, biomedical sciences, or preclinical health degrees
- Note: Fulbright does not fund MD/MBBS degrees, but supports public health and PhD-level medical fields
- Website: foreign.fulbrightonline.org
Best suited for students targeting research, epidemiology, or global health.
4. AACOM Scholarships (for Osteopathic Medicine)
- Offered by: American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
- Coverage: Partial to full tuition (school-specific)
- Eligibility: Some DO programs accept international students with funding options
- Website: aacom.org
Check individual DO school policies on non-resident scholarships.
5. American Association of University Women (AAUW) – International Fellowships
- Coverage: $20,000–$50,000 per year
- Eligibility: Women pursuing full-time graduate or professional study in the U.S.
- Field: Open, but medical degrees (MD, public health, etc.) are eligible
- Deadline: November 2024
- Website: aauw.org
Highly competitive, but a great option for female applicants.
6. The Roothbert Fund Scholarships
- Coverage: $5,000–$7,000
- Eligibility: Open to students motivated by spiritual values (including medicine)
- Note: Can be used for health and medical education in certain U.S. states
- Deadline: February 2025
- Website: roothbertfund.org
A supplementary source for partial funding.
7. Medical School-Specific Merit Scholarships
Many U.S. medical schools offer internal scholarships to exceptional international applicants:
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
- Duke University School of Medicine
- Yale School of Medicine
These are often merit-based, so a strong academic and research profile is essential.
Final Thoughts
Getting a fully funded medical education in the U.S. as an international student is difficult — but not impossible. By targeting research programs, joint degrees, and graduate-level public health or biomedical science paths, you can gain access to substantial funding and enter the U.S. healthcare ecosystem.
Start early, explore every opportunity, and match your goals to the right scholarship pathway.
Ready to begin your scholarship application journey? Visit ApplyScholarshipHub.com for more detailed guides, application templates, and personalized assistance with your scholarship applications.
