Scholarships & Repayment Programs

The following is a non-exhaustive list of scholarships and loan repayment programs available to podiatric medical students collected and maintained by APMSA's Website & Resource Committee. Members are encouraged to do their own research for additional opportunities. 

If your organization offers a program for podiatry students, please contact us at [email protected]. 

Podiatry-Specific Scholarships

American Podiatric Medical Association 
The APMA Educational Foundation Scholarship Fund is the only national funding resource devoted to students at the colleges of podiatric medicine. 
Eligibility: Third- and fourth-year students from a college of podiatric medicine
Amount: Minimum $1,000 award; Distribution of around $200,000 total each year
Deadline: May 1

American Public Health Association Student Membership
APMA sponsors 10 podiatric medical students (first-come, first-served basis) to become student members of APHA. The APHA Foot and Ankle Health Section will provide you with a platform to discuss podiatric public health issues such as diabetic limb salvage, falls prevention and physician well-being. 
Eligibility: All podiatric medical students who are members of APMA
Amount: Membership for the Foot and Ankle Health Section of the APHA paid by APMA

Leonard A. Levy, DPM, MPH APHA Foot and Ankle Health Section Award
The Leonard A. Levy, DPM, MPH Foot and Ankle Health Section Award recognizes one outstanding podiatric student or resident with a dedication to and passion for public health.
Eligibility: All podiatric medical students who are members of APHA FAH Section
Amount: $3,500 cash gift
Deadline: Mid-August

American Association of Women Podiatrists (AAWP) Founders Scholarship
AAWP annually provides a dedicated group of podiatric students a scholarship prize of $500 to financially support them in their pursuit of a doctorate in podiatric medicine.
Eligibility: Fourth-year students from a college of podiatric medicine 
Amount: $500

American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS)/PICA Future Leaders Scholarship
The ACFAS/PICA Future Leaders Scholarship is an academic scholarship made possible to ACFAS by an unrestricted grant from PICA. ACFAS student club faculty advisors nominate one student member in good academic standing. Only one applicant is accepted per school. 
Eligibility: Students from a college of podiatric medicine 
Amount: $40,000

American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ABFAS) "Surgeons of Tomorrow" Scholarship
ABFAS student conference scholarship contest is a new program established to financially help students attend the ACFAS annual scientific conference.
Eligibility: Students from a college of podiatric medicine 
Amount: $2,500

Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital Underrepresented Scholarship 
The scholarship will provide recipients priority access to our student rotations and $1,500 for travel, lodging, and other expenses associated with participating in the visiting rotation. This experience includes clinical shifts, didactics, simulation, journal club and the opportunity to develop mentoring relationships with attending physicians and residents

Jensen AZCPM Student Scholarship 
Midwestern University Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine (AZCPM) Dean Dr. Jeffrey Jensen and his wife Cecelia have donated $125,000 over five years to support student-initiated research at the College. The scholarships honor important people in the Jensens' lives and help foster student initiatives into podiatric research within AZCPM. For more information on this scholarship program and its history, as well as a list of 2024 recipients, please see this press release. 

Tucker Purvis Scholarship
The North Carolina Foot & Ankle Society administers the Basil M. Tucker and Carlton G. Purvis Memorial Scholarship Fund. Awards are based upon need, grade point average, and class rank.
Eligibility: Third- or fourth-year students from any college of podiatric medicine whose permanent residence is North Carolina.
Amount: $5,000

General Medical Professional Scholarships 

AAMC Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarships
Eligibility: Students entering their third year of medical school who have “shown leadership in efforts to eliminate inequities in medical education and health care. They also should have demonstrated leadership initiative in addressing educational, societal, and health care needs of racial and ethnic minorities in the United States.” Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients. Every school can only nominate a single student each year.
Students must be nominated by their medical school. Medical schools can nominate one student a year. After nomination a student must provide a number of application materials. 
Amount:$5,000
Deadline: April 7, 2023

The Brown Medical and Educational Society Healthcare Scholarships
Eligibility: Must be an undergraduate or graduate student attending an U.S. four-year college or university pursuing a degree in healthcare (medical, nursing, allied health, etc.). Must be Black/African American, Native American/American Indian, Hispanic/Latin American, or Asian/Pacific Islander. U.S. citizenship is required. Applicants must have a cumulative equivalent GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4 point scale. Physical application must be mailed.
Amount: $5,000

MPOWER Global Citizenship Scholarship
Eligibility: International students who are legally permitted to study in the U.S. or Canada are eligible (includes DACA recipients and Green Card holders).
Amount: $10,000 grand prize; $2,000 given to a runner up and honorable mention 

National Medical Fellowships
Eligibility: Students must be an underrepresented minority in medicine (see the NMF website for full list). Students also must be U.S. citizens or have DACA documentation, and must be enrolled in a graduate-level U.S. healthcare program.
Amount: Varies by scholarship
Deadline: Varies by scholarship

The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
Eligibility: Students must be under 31 years old and be the child of parents born outside of the U.S as non-U.S. citizens.
Amount: $90,000 over two years

United Health Foundation/NMF Diverse Medical Scholars Program
Eligibility: 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year medical students who identify as “African American, Latino, Native American, or Asian American (Vietnamese and Cambodian only).” Applicants must also be U.S. citizens or provide DACA documentation, and show “[c]commitment to serving medically underserved communities.” Full eligibility requirements here.
Amount: $7,000 (renewable) 

Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
Eligibility: Students with at least one year of school remaining, who are U.S. residents and who are or will be enrolled in a graduate program in medical school, nursing, and/or pharmacy.
Amount: Ten $10,000 & Twenty-five $5,000 awards 

National Health Services Corps Scholarship Program
Explore the benefits of the NHSC Scholarship Program and the chance to join a community of over 20,000 NHSC members providing culturally competent care to 21 million medically underserved people across the country.

Additional Links to Various Scholarship Databases: 

• Shemmassian Academic Counseling
• Board Vitals

Repayment Programs

Health Profession Scholarship Program (HPSP)
Three branches of the U.S. military offer a Health Profession Scholarship, with varying qualifications and requirements. Review the programs on each branch’s site: U.S. Navy, Army, or Air Force. 

Indian Health Service Scholarships
The IHS Scholarship Program provides qualified American Indian and Alaska Native health professions students an opportunity to establish an educational foundation for each stage of their careers.

National Health Service Corps Scholarship
The National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program (NHSC SP) awards scholarships to students pursuing eligible primary care health professions training. In return, scholars commit to provide primary care health services in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).

Students to Service Loan Repayment Program
Licensed primary care clinicians in eligible disciplines can receive loan repayment assistance through the NHSC Loan Repayment Program (NHSC LRP). In exchange for loan repayment, you serve at least two years of service at an NHSC-approved site in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA).

Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP) 
The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) collaborates with 12 Western states and Pacific Island jurisdictions to provide a solution. Through the Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP), students pursuing careers in 10 health fields – ranging from optometry to dentistry to veterinary medicine – may enroll in participating programs across state lines and receive substantial tuition support from their home state or territory. Through PSEP, a student can save $35,700 and $139,800 on tuition over the duration of a health degree study. By participating in PSEP, Western states and territories benefit by inspiring and compelling graduates to return home to practice and bolster the professional health care workforce of their communities. 

Note: APMSA is not responsible for the availability or content of the sites it links to, nor does APMSA endorse, warrant or guarantee the products, services or information described or offered at these other sites. The information contained above should be considered a summary. Complete details and eligibility requirements can be found by clicking on the program name.