“Free” and “medical school” probably aren’t words you’re used to hearing in the same sentence. Usually, when we think about medical school, the first thing that comes to mind is an enormous tuition bill.
Medical school is usually expensive, and many students have to apply for scholarships or take out student loans. These solutions allow many to pursue their dream of becoming a doctor, but debt, especially with interest, can be a tremendous financial burden on graduates. Thankfully, there is a better option to consider as you’re applying: medical schools with free tuition.
If you didn’t know that tuition-free medical schools existed, you probably aren’t alone. There are several free medical schools in the U.S. As you can imagine, these programs are competitive, but it’s worth throwing your hat in the ring.
Set yourself up for success and give it your best shot! Submit your application early and let the school know what makes you special. Everyone has something unique—whether it’s an affiliation with a nonprofit organization or an extracurricular passion. This is the time to show it off, so don’t be modest. You could attend medical school for free by impressing the board and saving thousands of dollars.
What is a tuition-free program?
Free tuition medical schools cover tuition or the cost of instruction. Although tuition is a hefty sum, it doesn’t include everything. All institutions have additional fees on top of which you’ll need to cover your books, supplies, and living expenses.
The only way to attend a free medical school is to win a full-ride scholarship. These financial awards cover fees and often even include a living stipend. Unless you receive a full ride, you’ll probably have at least a few bills while in school and perhaps after graduating.
What are the requirements for applying to medical school?
Before it comes time to fund your higher education, you first ensure your enrollment. Here are the requirements you’ll need to fulfill to take this next step in your journey toward becoming a physician:
- Earn your high school diploma
- Complete an undergraduate degree in the sciences (with a good GPA standing)
- Obtain letters of recommendation
- Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and achieve the minimum score required by your desired institutions
- Apply to schools
5 tuition-free medical schools
In the U.S., medical school tuition (yes, only the instruction) can cost around $50,000 annually. Even if you still have to pay some fees for your books and living expenses, attending a medical school that offers free tuition is a major perk. You could save around $200,000 and avoid student debt that you would have had if you’d attended a traditional program. Let’s explore some of the country’s tuition-free med school options:
New York University (NYU) School of Medicine
Admissions for this excellent medical program aren’t focused on where you came from but where you’re going. No matter what, medical students don’t pay tuition at NYU! Since NYU only cares about what you want to do with your future, your financial and academic background is not a deciding factor, as it might be with other medical school scholarship programs or low-interest loans.
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine
This small but competitive medical program only offers 32 spots per year, so submit your application early. Don’t be shy — show them what makes you unique. If you’re one of the lucky 1.6% applicants to get accepted, you’ll enjoy a completely tuition-free medical school career.
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
This program has two ways of supporting medical students: while the first 50% population receives free tuition, the other receives partially free tuition. Whichever way you slice it, you can make some serious savings. Another unique facet of this program is it locks in tuition rates for the entirety of your medical school career. So, your tuition will stay the same throughout your degree, and you won’t see a spike at any point over the four years. Now, if only rent worked that way!
Weill Cornell Medical School
The medical program here is not only tuition-free; it’s completely free! Remember when we said you’d still have to pay for fees, books, and housing at tuition-free institutions? That’s not the case here. This program covers all costs for medical school students who demonstrate financial need. If you are accepted here, you not only get to save on medical school expenses but also enjoy life in New York City, one of the world’s most expensive, exhilarating, and exciting cities. Trust us; with all the stress of medical school, you deserve to live a little!
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical School
Are you an excellent student? Let all your hard work pay off with a full-tuition scholarship to the UCLA School of Medicine. This scholarship is offered to 25% of its students with outstanding academic records. Your financial history won’t be considered. For the fortunate students who receive this scholarship, UCLA even covers additional costs like books, transportation, housing, and insurance. And, if you don’t get this scholarship, the institution offers other need-based financial aids.
We believe in you! While medical school can be exhausting and expensive, you can emerge as an incredible healthcare professional — hopefully, one without any student debt! We, at Jaanuu, have got you covered even after you graduate (literally!) with our premium-quality scrubs and great motivational content, so go get it!