Scholarships for MD Students

YSM Scholarships

Need-based scholarship

YSM is committed to covering 100% of a MD student’s calculated need. During the 2025-2026 academic year, the median annual scholarship for MD students with calculated need was $82,050.

Most MD students receiving need-based scholarship commit to a $10,000 student loan annually which must be repaid upon graduation. Students then receive YSM scholarship to cover the remainder of the calculated need.

Additionally, students with the highest need are offered start-up grants in their incoming year. These one-time grants are meant to help cover initial expenses and do not need to be repaid.

Access scholarship

Access scholarships are awarded to incoming students who demonstrate the highest financial need and potential. Access scholarships replace the $10,000 annual student loan commitment, making it possible to graduate with little to no debt.

Students receiving an access scholarship are required to reapply for financial aid each year but are guaranteed to receive the access scholarship for four years, even if their financial situation changes. There is a minimum expected student contribution in the first and second years for students receiving the access scholarship.

Additionally, students with the highest need are offered start-up grants in their incoming year. These one-time grants are meant to help cover initial expenses and do not need to be repaid.

Students in their second year and beyond who did not qualify for an access scholarship in their incoming year are not eligible for this scholarship.

Merit scholarship

Beginning in fall 2027, YSM will offer full tuition scholarship to incoming students of the highest potential.

Incoming students who are awarded a merit scholarship receive full tuition scholarship for four years of medical school. Students are evaluated during the admissions process and are notified with their offer of admission. There is no additional application needed to be considered for a merit scholarship, and students do not need to reapply annually for this scholarship once it is awarded.

Students receiving merit scholarships may qualify for additional financial aid to cover calculated expenses such as food and housing.

Students in their second year and beyond who did not qualify for a merit scholarship in their incoming year are not eligible for this scholarship.

Military & VA Benefits

External Scholarships

External scholarships can be used to reduce or replace a student’s loans, or their expected family contribution (EFC). Need-based scholarship from YSM is only reduced once a student’s external funding exceeds the combined loans and EFC.

It is suggested to start researching scholarships from December – February. Most deadlines to submit completed scholarship applications are between March and May.

Scholarships from other outside sources will reduce first the parent and student contributions and then the loan obligations in the financial aid package, starting with the loan with the least favorable terms. Only after all loan obligations have been eliminated, will the outside scholarship affect the Yale scholarship award.

External Scholarships for MD Students

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Student Emergency Aid Fund

The Student Emergency Aid Fund is designed to provide short-term financial assistance to students enrolled in the MD, MD-PhD, and Physician Associate programs who are struggling with unanticipated or emergency financial situations.

Students are not expected to repay funds allocated from the Student Emergency Aid Fund.