Scholarships for Graduate Professional Students

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) has an established scholarship fund, which offers yearly scholarship awards based on academic performance. Funding varies each year and is dependent upon fundraising efforts by the LECOM community. Funds raised are matched annually by the LECOM Board of Directors. Over $4 million dollars has been awarded to LECOM students who apply and meet the qualifications.

Examples of fundraising include:

  • Annual LECOM Scholarship Auction in Erie
  • Annual LECOM Scholarship Gala in Bradenton
  • Annual LECOM Casino Night Scholarship Fundraiser in Elmira
  • LECOM Virtual 5K
  • LECOM Art Auction
  • LECOM Golf Tournament
  • Other advertised local LECOM scholarship raffles and events

Students are welcome to participate in these activities as part of their volunteer service.

Tuition Assistance Scholarship Opportunities

National Health Service Corps (NHSC)

Students pursuing a career in primary health care are eligible to receive funding for their education in exchange for practicing in rural, urban, and frontier communities with limited access to care, upon graduation and licensure.

Eligible disciplines include:

  • Primary Care Physicians (MD or DO)
  • Dentists (DDS or DMD)
  • Family Nurse Practitioners (NP)
  • Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
  • Primary Care Physician Assistant (PA)

A service commitment is required (2-year minimum and 4-year maximum) in exchange for funding to cover tuition, required fees, and reasonable educational costs.

Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)

The HPSP (Health Professions Scholarship Program) is a scholarship program offered by the military branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps) to cover the cost of medical, dental, and other health-related education, in exchange for a future active-duty commitment. Essentially, it’s a way for individuals to get their professional education paid for, while also committing to serve in the military as a healthcare professional.

Other External Scholarships

Students have access to an expansive list of external scholarship opportunities through the LECOM experience portal here: Student Funding – LECOM Experience. Below you will find some of the more popular options for each program:

Medical Students:

Pharmacy Students:

Dental Students:

Podiatry Students:

Loan Repayment Programs

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program (LRP) offers primary care medical, dental, and mental and behavioral health care providers the opportunity to have their student loans repaid, while earning a competitive salary in exchange for providing health care in urban, rural, or frontier communities with limited access to care.  

Service Commitment Award Amount
Two years of full-time service (minimum of 40 hours/week, 45 weeks/year) at an NHSC-approved site Up to $75,000* OR

Up to $50,000 (depending on discipline)
Two years of half-time (minimum 20 hours/week, 45 weeks/year)** at an NHSC-approved site Up to $37,500* OR

Up to $25,000 (depending on discipline)

*Primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants are eligible for an increased award amount. Eligible providers must be working at an approved site in a primary care Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA).  

**Half-time practice is not available to those serving under the Private Practice Option. 

With a continuation contract, clinicians can extend their service – and they may be able to pay off all their student loans. 

Under the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Students to Service Loan Repayment Program (S2S LRP), medical students, dental students and nursing students in their final year of school can receive loan repayment funding in return for providing health care in urban, rural, or frontier communities with limited access to care. 

Loan repayment funding up to $120,000 with 3 years of full-time or 6 years of half-time service. Eligible participants may be able to pay off all qualifying student loans through continued service. They may apply for additional funding once their initial service obligation is completed. Funding is based on availability.