Scholarship Opportunities
UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine Medical Alumni Scholarships
There are a variety of scholarship opportunities for students at UNC’s School of Medicine. First are the scholarships hosted at UNC which are generously funded by the UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine Medical Alumni and interested donors. Additionally, the UNC School of Medicine participates in multiple national scholarships which students must be nominated for. Students will need to apply for these scholarships individually. Each scholarship is emailed to the eligible students when applications open. For any questions related to the scholarships listed, please email Assistant Director of Scholarships and Awards, Brandon Woodmancy at Brandon_Woodmancy@med.unc.edu..
Loyalty Fund Scholarships
The UNC School of Medicine Medical Alumni Loyalty Fund scholarship program was established in 1966 with a modest stipend to six students. The program now provides over 80 scholarships per year primarily for returning medical students in their second, third, and fourth years. The program is entirely alumni-funded thanks to the generosity of many of our loyal medical alumni. Scholarships are awarded based on demonstrated altruism, integrity, leadership, diversity and a commitment to community service.
Click here for more information about Loyalty Fund Scholarships.
Lucius Blanchard Carolina Family Scholarships
The premier scholarship program of the UNC School of Medicine, the Lucius Blanchard Carolina Family Loyalty Fund Scholarships are awarded annually to four first‐year medical students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, strong curiosity, leadership qualities, and commitment to service and, in some cases, financial need. These students enjoy the benefits of the Blanchard Scholarship throughout their four years of medical school. Through the generosity of Lucius Blanchard, MD ’68 the Blanchard Carolina Family Loyalty Fund Scholarship and loan program was created in 2008.
The Blanchard Scholarship provides:
- A four‐year scholarship intended to equal, as near as possible, the cost of in‐state tuition.
- The Blanchard Carolina Family Loan will provide an interest‐free loan of $20,000 a year for four years. The student has up to 10 years after graduation from medical school to repay the loan.
- Blanchard Carolina Family Enrichment funds provided to enhance the student’s educational experience.
The selection process:
- There is no scholarship application.
- Recipients are selected by a committee following their admission to the MD program
Click here for more information about the Blanchard Carolina Family Scholarships.
Medical Alumni Faculty Scholarship
The UNC Medical Alumni Faculty Scholarship is supported by loyal alumni working at the UNC School of Medicine and the UNC Medical Center. Established in 2013, this generous award helps recruit the brightest students by offering four years of support. Beginning in 2021, alumni also began fundraising for an additional scholarship specifically for an underrepresented in medicine student (URM).
The Medical Alumni Faculty Scholarship Provides:
- $15,000 scholarship towards tuition for one year
- $2,500 in annual enrichment funds to enhance the student’s educational experience for up to four years
The selection process:
- There is no scholarship application
- Recipients are selected by a committee following their admissions to the MD program.
J. Rush Shull, MD Scholarships (Residency)
The J. Rush Shull M.D. scholarships were established in 1994 by the Griffin Endowment. J. Rush Shull, M.D. received his certificate of medicine from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1908. While putting himself through Medical School, he held several jobs; including teaching histology. He received his M.D. and his training at the University of Pennsylvania, and then setup a solo practice in Rutherford County. Several years later, he returned to Harvard Medical School to pursue a radiology fellowship and became one of the first radiologists in the South. He practiced radiology in Charlotte for forty years until he retired. He passed away in 1964.
The criteria for the award include academic achievement, service to humanity, and breadth of personal and educational experience, with preference given to students who graduated from a high school in North Carolina. The award will be granted to a graduating senior who has also demonstrated a commitment to community service and who will be entering a primary care residency program in North Carolina. You may begin to complete the application process now; however, eligibility of the award will be verified after Match Day. Two recipients will be selected and awarded $15,000 each.
Please note that there is an additional application process for this scholarship. Your application will need to include:
- A transcript: you may have your transcript given directly to the the Brandon Woodmancy (email below) – please indicate on your request form
- A personal statement (can be emailed): You may use your personal statement that was on your residency application.
- Curriculum Vitae (can be emailed)
- A written statement (can be emailed): stating that you give permission for the appropriate awards committee to review the requested documents and to inquire about your financial need.
For more information about the J. Rush Shull, MD Scholarship, please contact Brandon Woodmancy at Brandon_Woodmancy@med.unc.edu.
The William Hersey Davis, Jr., M.D. Pediatric Student Scholarship
The scholarship is funded through a generous gift from Pamela Davis Leight (daughter of Dr. Davis) and George Staples Leight, Jr., M.D. The recipient will be awarded a $10,000 scholarship towards tuition. If the student’s tuition has already been covered, the student may use the scholarship money for room and board or other living expenses.
Eligible Applicants:
UNC medical students who anticipate graduation within the next year and who intend to specialize in pediatrics or medicine/pediatrics are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
Selection Criteria:
The medical student selected as the Davis Pediatric Scholar will be one who demonstrates a scholarly approach to pediatric medicine; an exemplary sensitivity, concern and care for children of all backgrounds; a special talent for putting patients and parents at ease; a willingness to both listen and provide clear explanations; a recognizable ability to gain the trust of patients, families, and other medical providers; high moral standards and ethical values; and a passion for enhancing the well-being of children everywhere.
How to Apply
Please submit your application by Tuesday, August 1st. Please submit the forms and responses listed below electronically to me at Brandon_Woodmancy@med.unc.edu. I will send a confirmation email upon receiving all listed material!
Applicants must submit:
- Curriculum vitae
- Personal statement that answers one of the following questions
- Describe an experience with a patient or patient’s family member which made an impact on you.
- Describe a life experience that you’ve had which influences the way you approach pediatric medicine.
- Letter of recommendation from a pediatric faculty member who supervised the student during a pediatric clinical rotation. This faculty member does not have to be at UNC.
- Transcripts of pre-clinical grades and third year clerkships
- Request a transcript by completing a consent form at this site: (https://www.med.unc.edu/ome/registrar/request-for-release-of-information/). Requests may take longer than the average 3-5 day turnaround time.
- Transcript will be given directly to me via email
- Ask that the Transcripts are provided after all of third year clerkship grades are finalized!
For additional information on the William Hersey Davis Jr., M.D. Pediatric Student Scholarship, please visit https://www.med.unc.edu/pediatrics/education/clerkship/davisscholarship/
Joseph Collins Scholarship Foundation
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: 2024 Cycle will open in January
Eligibility: Students attending medical schools east of the Mississippi River who are academically ranked in the upper half of their class and are interested in neurology, psychiatry, or general practice.
The Joseph Collins Scholarship Foundation was formally established on April 18, 1951, as the result of a bequest by the late Dr. Joseph Collins, pioneer in the field of neurology, with the stated purpose of aiding needy medical students to achieve an adequate education without sacrificing all other interest in the broad fields of learning. Dr. Joseph Collins was born in Brookfield, Connecticut on September 22, 1866. After attending the University of Michigan, where to earn his way, he was obliged, in his own words “to turn to teaching in district schools,” he received his M.D. at New York University in 1888. He subsequently did postgraduate work in Germany, France, Italy, and England.
Eligibility and Application Requirements for the Joseph Collins Scholarship:
- The scholastic record and standing of the applicant; except in most unusual cases, must be in the upper half of his or her class.
- A demonstrated interest on the part of the applicant in arts and letters or other cultural pursuits outside the field of medicine.
- An indication that the applicant intends to consider specializing in neurology, psychiatry, or becoming a general practitioner.
- Evidence of good moral character of the applicant.
Information on UNC’s internal application process will be announced at the start of the application cycle.
For more information about the Joseph Collins Scholarship, please contact Brandon Woodmancy @ Brandon_Woodmancy@med.unc.edu.
Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: 2024 Cycle will open in February
Eligibility: Students attending medical schools who have shown leadership in efforts to eliminate inequities in medical education and health care, as well as have demonstrated leadership efforts in addressing educational, societal, and health care needs of racial and ethnic minorities in the United States.
Eligibility and Application Requirements for the Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarship:
- A U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Entering the third year of study in an LCME-accredited U.S. medical school in the Fall following their application. Students enrolled in combined degree programs (such as M.D./Ph.D.) are eligible when they are entering their third year of medical school.
Information on UNC’s internal application process will be announced at the start of the application cycle.
Additional information regarding the Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student scholarship can be found here: Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarships | AAMC
AMAF Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: 2025 Cycle will open in January
Eligibility: The AMAF Physicians of Tomorrow scholarship has a variety of scholarships that UNC will nominate students into. Most of these scholarships have specific requirements, but the general requirements are:
- Must be nominated through the medical school dean’s office or the dean’s designate
- A U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Entering their final year of study with intentions of graduation for the academic year following application. If you are entering an LOA, you would not be eligible to apply until the semester before you intend to return to curriculum.
Each medical school is allowed 2 nominations per category (unless otherwise specified). However, a student can only be nominated for under 1 category. AMA membership is not taken into consideration at all when determining selection, both internally or for the national decision process.
Information on UNC’s internal application process will be announced at the start of the application cycle.
For additional information on the various scholarship categories, please visit the AMAF Physicians of Tomorrow website here: Scholarships – AMA Foundation
National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
Amount: Variable (based in large part on the cost of educational expenses)
Deadline: Late Spring
Eligibility: Full-time medical students who are U.S. citizens.
This program provides scholarships to train health care professionals in those disciplines and specialties most needed to deliver primary health care services in health professional shortage areas in the United States. Scholarship recipients will receive a monthly stipend payment, and an amount for other reasonable costs, including books, laboratory cost, disability insurance, etc. In addition, the NHSC Scholarship Program also pays tuition and required fees to the training institution on behalf of the recipients.
Eligibility and Application Requirements for the National Health Service Corps:
- U.S. citizen or U.S. national
- Full-time student at an accredited school, pursuing a degree in medicine (MD or DO), Dentistry (DDS or DMD), nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, or physician assistant in primary care.
Click here to apply or find more information about the National Health Service Corps.
National Medical Fellowships (NMF)
Amount: Variable
Deadline: Various Deadlines
Eligibility: Underrepresented minority students committed to serving medically underserved communities.
The National Medical Fellowships were started in 1946 by Franklin C. McLean, M.D., Ph.D., who was a visionary in medical education. Dr. McLean was accustomed to breaking “new ground,” first as a founding medical director of the Peking University Medical College in China and then as the first chairman of the department of medicine of the University of Chicago’s teaching hospital and head of the University of Chicago Clinics. Dr. McLean was acutely aware of the paucity of “Negro” doctors who were trained in the medical sub-specialties. Determined to effect change in this area, Dr. McLean and a group of colleagues formed Provident Medical Associates; an organization that provided opportunities for subspecialty training to doctors on staff at Provident Hospital in Chicago. This organization later became National Medical Fellowships, Inc. There are many NMF Scholarship programs, and they all consider both merit and financial need.
Eligibility and Application Requirements for National Medical Fellowships (varies by program):
- U.S. citizen or DACA approval letter
- Currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. medical school
- Underrepresented minority student
- Demonstrated leadership ability
- Commitment to serving medically underserved communities
Click here to apply or find more information about the National Medical Fellowships.
Pisacano Scholars Leadership Program
Amount: $28,000
Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Third year medical students pursuing family medicine.
The Pisacano Leadership Foundation (PLF) seeks to advance family medicine by providing well-educated, community-minded leaders in primary care. By aiding students who demonstrate the highest levels of commitment to family medicine, scholarship, leadership, character, interpersonal skills, and community service, the PLF will promote the development of the future leaders in the specialty. The Pisacano Scholars Leadership program is designed to provide educational programs, leadership training, and funding to reimburse a portion of medical school-related debt. Scholarships will be awarded to outstanding medical students for a four-year period. Students who have made a commitment to the field of family medicine may apply. Financial need is not considered in the selection process. The PLF will award scholarships with a maximum value of $28,000 each.
Eligibility and Application Requirements for the Pisacano Scholars Leadership Program Scholarship:
- Third year medical student
- Strong commitment to the specialty of family medicine
- Leadership skills, superior academic achievement, strong communication skills, identifiable character and integrity, and a noteworthy level of community service
Click here to apply or find more information about the Pisacano Leadership Foundation.
American Society of Hematology (ASHTM) Minority Medical Student Award Program (MMSAP)
Amount: $5,000 stipend; $2,000 travel allowance
Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Third year medical students pursuing family medicine.
The MMSAP provides funding to medical students to engage them in the study of hematology and to help them attain valuable knowledge in the field through completion of a summer research experience and attendance at the ASH annual meeting. The MMSAP includes both research and mentoring components. Participants receive a stipend to complete an eight- to 12 week summer research project with a research mentor. The mentoring begins during the application phase and continues throughout medical school and residency. In addition to the mentoring, students receive a variety of immediate and long-term benefits, including a $5,000 stipend, a $2,000 travel allowance for attending the ASH annual meeting, complimentary ASHTM journal subscription, networking opportunities, experience presenting research to more than 200 attendees, and the guidance of a research and career development mentor.