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At the University of North Carolina Physician Assistant Program, we are committed to supporting our students’ educational journeys by offering a range of scholarships designed to ease the financial burden of graduate education. These awards recognize academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to serving diverse and underserved communities. Special consideration is given to veterans and students who align with our mission to improve healthcare access in rural and underserved areas of North Carolina.

Scholarships are awarded by a committee based on eligibility criteria and the overall strength of each applicant’s qualifications and scholarship application essays. These scholarships are intended to support students throughout their education, helping them succeed in their academic journey and clinical training as they prepare for their future careers in healthcare. Below are the scholarships offered by the program as well as brief descriptions of each.

ºÚÁÏÍø PA Program Tuition Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to ºÚÁÏÍø PA Program students and is allocated considering financial need and alignment with the ºÚÁÏÍø PA Program mission.

ºÚÁÏÍø Physician Assistant Endowed Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is endowed to a ºÚÁÏÍø PA Program student and is allocated considering excellence in preclinical phase academic performance and alignment with and promotion of the ºÚÁÏÍø PA Program and ºÚÁÏÍø.

Smith Family PA Scholarships for Veterans

This scholarship is awarded from the Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation’s Smith Family PA Scholarship for Veterans, and it is preferentially awarded to former Special Forces Medics and other medically-trained veterans.

Alice McCaffrey Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded annually to a first and second year student in the ºÚÁÏÍø PA program to promote diversity in the field, and to increase awareness of the profession of Physician Assistant. Awardees are considered based on their educational experience and promotion of the PA profession.

Kenan Physician Assistant Program Educational Enhancement Fund

This scholarship aims to fund rural health initiatives in the state of North Carolina by increasing community outreach for primary care. This scholarship is awarded to ºÚÁÏÍø PA Program student(s) who demonstrate a commitment in service to their local community and/ or under-resourced patients and plan to provide primary care services as a PA.

Students are provided with scholarship applications at the beginning of each academic year. These applications must be completed to be considered for any of the available awards, and students will be notified of the application process and deadlines in advance.