Pediatric College Scholarships

Helping You Help the Little Children

There is an overwhelming amount of financial assistance available to medical students who wish to specialize in pediatric medicine, and the following is a brief glance at types of available aid. You’ll find funds for both your school expenses and travel to various medical conferences.

Government Scholarships

National Health Service Corps

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC), a division of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, offers the NHSC Scholarship Program to pediatrics students who are U. S. citizens or U. S. nationals enrolled full-time at accredited schools. This scholarship is given in exchange for a service agreement, meaning you will receive tuition, fees, and a living allowance during school if you agree to practice in a region designated by the government as a Health Professional Shortage Area (list here).

You will owe a year of work for each year you accept the scholarship, and there are limits: you must contribute at least two years of service, you can receive aid for four years, and you will not be asked to serve more than four years. NOTE: NHSC also offers a loan repayment program.

Armed Forces

The Army, Navy, and Air Force all offer scholarships to medical students, including those studying pediatrics. The Army sponsors the F. Edward Hébert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), which pays full tuition, books, and fees. You may also qualify for a $20,000 bonus for joining the program.

The Medical Accessions Department of the Navy Medicine Professional Development Center advertises the same program under the name Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program. The linked page provides details on how the offer works, including financial benefits estimated at over $300,000 over four years. That comes from the payment of educational expenses plus a monthly stipend currently valued at $2,122.

For information on the Air Force version of the HPSP, you can consult this page describing types of educational assistance available to commissioned officers (which includes medical students). The scholarships are three or four years for student pediatricians, and your commitment to active duty thereafter will last one year for every year of benefits (with a minimum service period of three years).

Scholarships From Colleges

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill’s School of Medicine administers the Davis Pediatric Scholarship, given to a student who distinguished himself or herself during the third year of clinical training by superior knowledge, sensitivity, communication skills, and concern for children. The Davis award brings $5,000, and if the student has already paid tuition that amount may be used for living expenses instead.

You can see from the website that UNC has a high standard for the written word, so it would be advisable to take great care in writing the required personal statement, and demonstrate therein your familiarity with Dr. Davis’ life story.

Vanderbilt University

The School of Medicine at Vanderbilt University offers two summer programs for pediatrics students, each with its own provision for scholarships. The Amos Christie Pediatric Summer Scholars Program is limited to students in the first and second years, but both students from Vanderbilt and those from nearby Meharry may attend. Scholarships are worth $500 for the six-week program, which includes time in the neonatal and acute care units.

The Darlene Batey Hoffman Pediatric Summer Scholars Program is focused on laboratory work and observing the results of that work in a clinical setting.

University of Chicago

The University of Chicago’s Pediatric Residency Program features three Scholarship Tracks (in medical education, public policy, and health economics) that consist of specialized training and funding for full tuition, plus the cost of study materials and a living allowance. The tracks last four years, each culminating in masters degrees, and they include time reserved for the necessary coursework (set apart from clinical course time).

Scholarships From Private Organizations

American Academy of Pediatrics

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) distributes awards between $1,000 and $5,000 from the Resident Scholarship Program to residents who are experiencing financial challenges but doing well in school. The three necessary qualifications other than financial need are completion of a first year (approved internship or PL-1 year) by the annual deadline, a place in a current training program, and a commitment to another year of residency in an accredited program.

There are also scholarships available to cover costs for AAP’s annual Legislative Conference, 12 to help residents and five reserved for new doctors.

American Thoracic Society

The American Thoracic Society (ATS) has established the Resident Development Scholarship (RDS) program for residents in pediatrics and internal medicine, in an effort to attract them to fields like pulmonary medicine and critical care. The scholarships pay $1,000 each toward the cost of attending the ATS International Conference, held every year.

The offer includes a free year’s membership in the organization. Interestingly, this outreach program involves following the recipients’ future careers.