PharmD students are no strangers to the expense of a professional education.
Doctorate of Pharmacy students graduate with an average pharmacy school debt of over $170,000, according to the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. Any opportunity to reduce this debt burden through a combination of any of the following: endowed scholarship, student financial aid (private or federal student aid), or pursuing a position in a public health non-profit organization will be advantageous to current and prospective students and can improve your debt to income ratio, not only upon taking your first job after graduation but also for many years into the future. Decreasing your overall debt load through scholarships will also improve your net wealth throughout your lifetime and can result in lifestyle benefits and earlier retirement.
Many pharmacy students rely solely on student loans to finance their pharmacy degree and need to pay more attention to the many scholarship opportunities available. It is relatively easy to apply for pharmacy school student loans, yet relatively difficult and time-consuming to find scholarships that you may not only need to apply or qualify for but may ultimately not get. However, even if you spend 20 hours applying for multiple scholarships and get denied by 14 but get accepted by only one for $1,000, you can think of that as a $50/hour time commitment. If that same scholarship can be renewed for the duration of pharmacy school with minimal effort, that 20-hour time commitment can now be worth $200-$300/hour. Most high school or college students would be willing to work for much less!
So, how do you find pharmacy scholarships?
Your College of Pharmacy financial aid office should be a great resource for college-specific grant and scholarship opportunities. The pharmacy dean or student affairs office may also have a list of opportunities. The cost of your PharmD education will depend on several factors, including whether your college of pharmacy is a private or public university, the cost of living in the city (rural or urban), etc.
In addition to program-specific pharmacy scholarships, companies that employ pharmacists in the community and industry setting offer many scholarships. Some such scholarship programs are included below:
Scholarships through the AphA Foundation
George F. Archambault Scholarship
The George F. Archambault Scholarship is presented annually to one (1) recipient with a scholarship of $1,500.
The Paul Pumpian Scholarship is presented annually to one (1) recipient with a scholarship of $1,000.
The Robert D. Gibson Scholarship is presented annually to one (1) recipient with a scholarship of $1,000.
Tery L. Baskin Scholarship Endowment will provide an annual scholarship to one (1) recipient with a scholarship of $1,000.
The Theodore G. Tong Scholarship is presented annually to one (1) recipient with a scholarship of $1,000.
The Charles C. Thomas (Phi Lambda Sigma) Scholarship is presented annually to one (1) recipient with a scholarship of $1,000.
The Boyle Family Scholarship is presented annually to one (1) recipient with a scholarship of $1,000.
Juan and Esperanza Luna Scholarship
The Juan and Esperanza Luna Scholarship is presented annually to one (1) recipient with a scholarship of $1,000.
The Mary Munson Runge Scholarship is presented annually to one (1) recipient with a scholarship of $1,000.
Hamilton, Harris, And Tucker APhA-ASP Chapter President Scholarship
The Hamilton, Harris, and Tucker APhA-ASP Chapter President Scholarship is presented annually to one (1) recipient with a scholarship of $1,000.
The John A. Gans Scholarship is presented annually to one (1) recipient with a scholarship of $1,000.
The APhA Foundation Scholarship is presented annually to one (1) recipient with a scholarship of $1,000.
The Gloria Francke Scholarship is presented annually to one (1) recipient with a scholarship of $1,000.
Colonel Jerry W. Ross Scholarship
The Colonel Jerry W. Ross Scholarship is presented annually to one (1) recipient with a scholarship of $1,500.
Pharmacists Mutual Community Pharmacy Scholarship
The Pharmacists Mutual Community Scholarship is presented annually to five (5) recipients with a scholarship of $1,750.
Scholarships through Retail Pharmacies
Walmart Health Equity Scholarship for Pharmacy Students
A single scholarship for $5,000 each will be awarded to each scholarship recipient.
Walmart Pharmacy Scholars Program
Awards up to 85 students up to $1,000 to those committed to a career in academic pharmacy In collaboration with the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
CVS Health Minority Scholarship for Pharmacy Students
Each awardee will receive a single $7,000 scholarship.
Express Scripts Scholars Program
Awards four $10,000 scholarships to graduate students enrolled full-time in a professional pharmacy degree program accredited by the ACPE to pursue a dual degree in another field closely related to pharmacy to support the efforts of academic pharmacy by educating students with diverse interests
Rite Aid Competitive Pharmacy Scholarships
Awards scholarships to interns or dependents of Rite Aid employees
Additional Scholarships
Tylenol Future Care Scholarships
Ten (10) $10,000 scholarships will be awarded annually and are not renewable.
Twenty-five (25) $5,000 scholarships will be awarded annually and are not renewable.
National Community Pharmacists Association Foundation Scholarships
Presidential Scholarships - for students with a demonstrated interest in independent pharmacy.
J.C. & Rheba Cobb Memorial Scholarship - for students with a demonstrated interest in government activities.
Willard B. Simmons Memorial Scholarship - for students with a demonstrated interest in independent pharmacy management.
Partners in Pharmacy - for students who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service and independent pharmacy.
Neil Pruitt Sr. Memorial Scholarship - for students with a demonstrated interest in entrepreneurship.
Indian Health Service Scholarship Program - For Alaska Native/American Indian U.S. citizens or their descendants
Preparatory Scholarship
Pre-Graduate Scholarship
Health Professions Scholarship
Anne S. Chatham Fellowship in Medicinal Botany
Provides at least one grant of $4,500 annually to currently enrolled Pharm.D. students who wish to assist medical science in its ability to protect lives by conducting research on medicines from plants with therapeutic potential.
Christian Pharmacist Fellowship International Scholarship
Offered for up to $2,500 to students passionate about the advancement of knowledge and ethics in the practice of pharmacy with an integration of faith
Health Resources and Services Administration Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students
Administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Health Resources and Services Administration distributes Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students for varying amounts to students to those from medically underserved communities with a low-level income based on family size.
Jack and Frances Fruth Family Pharmacy Scholarships
Up to 25 scholarships annually to students enrolled at Marshall University, West Virginia University, the University of Charleston, Ohio State University, and the University of Rio Grande
Luther and Mary Ann Park Scholarship
Awards $1,000 to students in their 4th professional year at a college of pharmacy in Texas in honor of a couple who dedicated more than 40 years of their lives to supporting pharmacy education
Maryland Pharmacists Association Student Scholarships
Awards three scholarships for $1,500 apiece to Maryland residents through the Maryland Pharmacists Association
Plough Pharmacy Student Scholarship Fund
Awards up to 16 scholarships annually for $5,000 through the Plough Foundation, which is a non-profit organization focused on bringing awareness to the comprehensive needs of the older Americans
Westshore Pharmaceutical Association Scholarships
Awards 4 scholarships up to $1,500 to PharmD students residing in Cuyahoga, Lorain, or Medina counties in Ohio
