Michigan State University

PA Medicine
Physician Assistant Program College of Osteopathic Medicine

Financial Aid & Scholarships

The MSU Office of Financial Aid has dedicated staff to assist PA medicine students in the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) by distributing financial aid information, coordinating financial aid workshops, and by providing individualized financial aid counseling. Each MSUCOM student will receive two mandatory financial aid sessions during the program. One-on-one advising is also available to current, prospective and newly admitted students. 

General resources on student finances and financial aid, as well as information on costs, budgets, tuition and fees are available online at the MSU Medical Student Financial Aid website.

Scholarships

Students are encouraged to consider applying for a variety of Scholarships with the PA profession.

  • The Veterans Administration (VA) Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP) provides financial assistance to students receiving education or training in a direct or indirect health-care services discipline. PA students with veteran status may apply. Recipients receive payment of tuition and eligible fees, stipend, an annual education expense payment. https://va-ams-info.intelliworxit.com/hpsp/
  • The PA (Physician Assistant) Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that promotes better health and wellness by providing PAs and PA students with philanthropic opportunities and resources. It is the philanthropic arm of the American Academy of PAs (AAPA). PA Student Scholarships - PA Foundation (pa-foundation.org)
  • PAC Diversity Matters Scholarship - ThePAC is passionate about increasing diversity in the PA profession. One way we live out our mission is by helping to decrease barriers that many students of color face when applying to and attending PA School. Completing this rigorous course of study is a huge accomplishment and one that should be awarded. As such, the Diversity Matters scholarship will help reduce the cost of educational expenses. Scholarships - The PAC (physicianassistantsofcolor.org)
  • 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). Recipients receive payment of tuition and eligible fees, an annual payment for other reasonable educational costs, and monthly stipends to assist with living expenses during the program. NHSC Scholarship Program Overview | NHSC (hrsa.gov)
  • Physician Associates For Latino Health (PALH) is an officially recognized caucus of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). The purpose of PALH is to render loyal and honest service to the medical profession and the public, to develop continuing medical or medically related education programs, and to promote the Physician Associate (Assistant) (PA) profession through the education of medical professionals and the general population. Furthermore, PALH strives to support the mission of the AAPA by increasing the diversity of the Academy. PALH began nearly 30 years ago. The official Translation for PA in Spanish is Asociado Médico adopted in 1998 by AAPA.

  • Over the years, the PA Foundation has awarded more than $2.3 million in scholarships to PA students, benefitting more than 1,400 future PAs. Scholarships are awarded based on the availability of funds provided through contributions from AAPA members, other individuals, and corporate partners.  

HSC Loan Repayment Program
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Repayment Opportunity

Valuable Indian Health Service Resources

How can PA programs build relationships with clinics and encourage students toward working with IHS?

The US Public Health Service has a JR and SR Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern (COSTEP) program. In these programs, you are commissioned officers that are paid and accruing years of service while in school. These programs help many providers get hands-on exposure that are interested in public health service. Beyond that, so many facilities around the country have student rotations. We encourage any student to contact any facility they’re interested in doing a rotation at. They can find the numbers and email addresses on the ihs.gov website.

Learn more about loan repayment opportunities available below:

  1. National Health Service Corps loan repayment: $30,000 or 50,000 per 2-year commitment – https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/ 
  2. IHS loan repayment: $20,000/year (w/taxes paid) for initial 2-year commitment w/option for 1 year renewals – http://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/ 
  3. Some states have loan repayment: ex: New Mexico: $50-70,000 (w/taxes paid) per 2 year commitment – http://www.hed.state.nm.us/students/health_lrap.aspx