Medical Assistant Scholarships: Find Top Opportunities
You don’t have to let financial worries stand in the way of becoming a certified medical assistant. There are many medical assistant scholarships available, whether you choose an online program, community college, or public university. This guide jumpstarts your search by providing a list of scholarships specifically for medical assistants. It also shares expert tips for writing an application that stands out and shows you where to find additional financial assistance for your education.
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Scholarships and Grants for Medical Assistant Students
The medical assisting field is booming with 15% growth across the nation, and many medical assistant scholarship opportunities have been created to help train more certified medical assistants. To make it more affordable, you may want to apply for some scholarships like the ones below.
Keep in mind you’ll want to do your own research to check on eligibility and to find regional, state, or school-based scholarships. These awards often consider both merit and need, and some require you to be admitted to a program. But, no matter where you train to be a medical assistant, the scholarships below can help ease financial worries.
Alice Newell Joslyn Medical Fund
This scholarship is offered through The BECA Foundation, which focuses on empowering Latino students to pursue higher education. The Alice Newell Joslyn scholarship is for anyone pursuing a degree in the medical/health field, from medical assistant to a doctoral degree. Eligibility is based on financial need, scholastic determination, and community/cultural awareness.
Amount: $500-$1,000
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Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions
The ASAHP sponsors a scholarship of excellence for students enrolled in member schools. This program targets students with potential for leadership positions in healthcare. Eligible institutions nominate candidates for this scholarship, and nominees must provide a resume/CV and one-page essay detailing reasons for choosing a health profession and intended contributions to that profession.
Amount: $1,000
Hagerstown Community College Scholarships
HCC, which is based in Maryland, offers a scholarship that could total up to the full cost of its certified medical assistant training program. This training prepares students for National Healthcareer Association certification. Scholarships are provided through the state Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, which is focused on expanding workforce development in key industries.
Amount: Varies
Kansas Career Technical Workforce Grant
The goal of this grant is to encourage people to further their education and build a strong Kansas workforce. Medical assisting is just one of the high-demand fields eligible for this award. Applicants with financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) receive preference for this award.
Amount: $500-1,000
Lane Community College
Lane Community College offers a scholarship covering nearly half the cost of tuition for its medical assistant certificate program. The award amount is split by semester with $2,500 received after successful completion of the first term and the same amount after the second term. The program accepts up to 24 students each year, and clinical labs take place on LCC’s main campus.
Amount: Up to $5,000
Maxine Williams Scholarship Fund
Named after a founder of the American Association of Medical Assistants, the Williams scholarship aims to cover the administrative costs of earning a medical assisting certification. Scholarship awards and a one-year AAMA membership are granted based on academic ability as well as financial need.
Amount: $500-$1,000
Minnesota State Community and Technical College Scholarships
More than half of Minnesota State’s students attend tuition-free through access to several impressive scholarships. The Workforce Development Scholarship, for instance, offers up to $5,000 over four semesters ($1,250 per semester). Medical assisting is one of the many healthcare programs at Minnesota State that is eligible for this scholarship.
Amount: Up to $5,000
Northeast Iowa Community College Scholarship
The Certified Medical Assistant Scholarship at Northeast Iowa CC offers 100% tuition assistance. It also covers the cost of the American Association of Medical Assistants certification exam fee. This program also guarantees a full-time job upon completion in the same location where students serve their six-week, on-site externships.
Amount: Tuition cost
Rasmussen University Scholarships
Rasmussen University offers a medical assisting diploma program you can complete in 12 months. Students can receive $1,000 for their first four quarters of study through the Medical Assisting Inspire Grant. They are billed the standard tuition rate plus fees before the grant is applied and are also responsible for all book fees.
Amount: Up to $4,000
“Save a Life” Scholarship
This scholarship is given by the American Academy of CPR and First Aid to equip future educators and healthcare professionals as well as spread the importance of first aid training. Given twice a year, the award includes the sharing of its scholarship essays on social media to give a voice to future healthcare professionals.
Amount: $1,500
Stepful Scholarships
Stepful offers an online certified medical assistant program that can be completed in four months, and most applicants are eligible for scholarships to reduce the cost of tuition. This accelerated program prepares you for the NHA exam, and the Stepful team works with you to secure clinical hours and a full-time job after after certification.
Amount: Varies
Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation Scholarship
The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation Scholarship Program assists outstanding students who will fill Wisconsin’s healthcare workforce needs. Several individual scholarships are available through this foundation. Most funds go to students enrolled in a Wisconsin school with preference given to Wisconsin residents and those planning to practice in the state after completing their schooling.
Amount: Varies
The Keys to Succeed on Medical Assistant Scholarship Applications
Even if you are seeking out more affordable programs for your medical assistant education, you will probably still need to fill out scholarship applications. These awards are typically given to students who can highlight their accomplishments well and write strong essays. Here are some ways to best prepare to apply.
Key #1: Go for Niche Awards
While the big-ticket national awards are great to earn, don’t forget smaller organizations and local scholarships. You’ll have a better chance of standing out from the crowd — the more niche the scholarship, the less competition for it. Every little bit counts, so don’t shy away from scholarships with small amounts.
Key #2: Don’t Shy Away From Your Accomplishments
Scholarship panels want to hear about what you’ve accomplished and what impact you want to have in your field. Don’t be afraid to weave your successes into your application, since each detail plays a role in making an impression on the committee reviewing your application. Let your accomplishments paint a picture of your potential.
Key #3: Write a Strong Essay
Your essay is the best opportunity to stand out in the scholarship application process. Remember to follow the directions exactly and focus on telling a story that is memorable and unique. Be sure to highlight any specific personal experiences and essential skills you have that tie you to this scholarship, medical assisting, or school.
Key #4: Stay on Top of Deadlines
You could meet every requirement and write a stellar essay, only to disqualify yourself by missing a deadline. Set personal deadlines — one or two weeks before the final one — to give yourself time to review everything. Use a spreadsheet to stay on top of things and don’t wait until the last minute to complete it.
Key #5: Keep Trying
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get a specific scholarship, as there are plenty out there for you. Some scholarships even encourage you to re-apply in subsequent scholarship rounds. There are also scholarships offered with deadlines throughout the year, so keep checking for ones to add to your list.
Essential Funding Resources for Medical Assistant Students
There are many other resources in addition to scholarships to help you pay for your medical assistant training. From loans to grants and beyond, medical assistants have many financial aid options to consider. To help, here are 10 additional resources that can help you navigate the financial details of your education.
A Medical Assistant’s Budgeting Guide
West Virginia Junior College created this budgeting guide for its students, which include those training to become medical assistants. Learn how to keep better track of your finances and find opportunities to save.
Best Budgeting Apps
Sometimes, an app can help you better manage your finances. This guide from NerdWallet breaks down the most effective budgeting apps on the market, with pros and cons for each.
Financial Wellness for Students
Alongside applying for financial aid, college is also a time to develop good financial habits. Our financial wellness guide can help set you up for monetary success.
Guide to the FAFSA
To demonstrate financial need, many scholarship applications require students to submit the FAFSA. The FAFSA is a federal application that assesses students and their families’ financial situation.
Paying for College
This series from NPR walks you through financial aid tips and strategies to make college more affordable. Topics include making the most of the scholarship system, managing debt, and financing a second degree.
Payment Plans
Medical assistant programs may offer payment plans that allow you to pay tuition in smaller, more manageable installments instead of all at once. Here’s how to determine if payment plans could help you.
Propel America
There’s a growing trend to offer completely free medical assistant training. Propel America is one group making it happen, serving recent high school graduates in select states.
Tax Benefits for Students
As a student there’s various tax benefits for which you may be eligible. Our guide walks you through these benefits and how to know what is and isn’t a tax write-off.
