Scholarships & Funding Programs

Below lists several funding and scholarship opportunities available for North Carolina-based medical students and family medicine residents. If you have questions regarding these sources, please contact Academy offices at (800) 872-9482 or by email at pgraber@ncafp.com.

Educational Scholarships for Students

NCAFP Foundation Loan/Scholarship Program - The North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians Foundation provides scholarships of up to $2,000 to North Carolina-based medical students seeking a career as a family physician. All applications are reviewed by the Scholarship Committee and approval is based on financial need and sincere interest in the specialty of family medicine. Applications for the 2010-2011 school year must be postmarked by Monday, May 3, 2010. No exceptions will be made.

Complete program details are available.

Download an application form (245 kb).


2009 NCAFP Research Poster Presentation - Submissions must be of original work not yet published or presented at regional or national meetings. Projects previously presented at medical schools or student "Research Days" are acceptable. Concurrent submissions to other conferences such as NAPCRG and STFM are considered legitimate and are, in fact, encouraged. We are particularly interested in practice-based research, but presentations may address any topic relevant to Family Medicine. Work in progress may be submitted. The resident winner will receive $400 prize at the Awards Lunch on Friday, Dec. 04, 2009. Submission deadline is October 30, 2009.

NC Student Loan Program for Health, Science & Mathematics - This program was formerly known as the North Carolina Medical Student Loan Program and is administered by the NC State Education Assistance Authority. Legal residents of North Carolina who have been accepted as full-time students in accredited associate, baccalaureate, master's or doctoral programs leading to a degree are eligible for this program. Studies must be in specified health, science, or mathematic-related fields. Students may attend a North Carolina post-secondary institution or an eligible out-of-state institution. Award recipients are chosen according to major, academic capabilities, and financial need.

Travel Scholarships & Funding

James G. Jones, MD Student Health Policy Leadership Program - This program provides funds for a medical student to attend the Political Leadership Institute (PLI) sponsored by the American Medical Student Association. Will support travel expenses and cover miscellaneous expenses of attending PLI. Interested medical students should contact their state chapter to apply.

  • (Application will be available 2/07/10)
  • Contact the AAFP at (800) 274-2237 ext. 4470

AAFP Family Medicine Research Presentations - $1,000 each for first-place presentations by family practice residents and medical students. Runners-up receive awards of $250. Requires on-site oral paper presentations at the Assembly in the following categories: Category I: Original research; Category II: Case study or literature review.

Deadline for submissions will be April 2nd, 2009

national conference

2009 National Conference of Family Medicine Residents & Students
July 30 - August 1, 2009


These scholarships provide funding for students to attend the annual conference sponsored by the AAFP. The National Conference is always an excellent even that provides medical students with the opportunity to meet hundreds of medical students and programs from around the country!

First Time Student Attendee Award - Up to 20 medical students will each receive a $600 scholarship to attend their first National Conference of Family Practice Residents and Medical Students. Requires application signed by Dean or Department Chair; 500-word essay on why they are interested in attending the National Conference and becoming a family physician. Deadline for 2009 is May 1, 2009

Tomorrow's Leader Award - Up to 20 medical students will each receive a $600 scholarship to attend their first National Conference of Family Practice Residents and Medical Students. Requires application signed by Dean or Department Chair; 500-word essay on why they are interested in attending the National Conference and becoming a family physician; current CV; chapter letter of recommendation. Deadline for 2009 is May 1, 2009

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Minority Scholarship Program - $600 scholarship to attend National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students. Requires ethnicity verification by Dean or Department Chair and 500-word essay on what it means to provide a personal medical home to patients. Can only be awarded one time. Deadline for 2009 is May 1, 2009

Student Community Outreach Award - $600 scholarship to attend National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students for AAFP Student members actively involved in a community service project, including clinical work and patient education not part of an offered or required rotation in the school's curriculum. Restrictions apply. Deadline for 2009 is May 1, 2009

Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) Leadership Awards - Recognizes medical students for their outstanding contributions to their FMIGs, medical schools and the specialty of family medicine. Up to 10 medical students nationally will receive a certificate and a $600 scholarship to attend the National Conference of Family Practice Residents and Medical Students. Requires completed FMIG Leadership Award application; must be AAFP student member; student encouraged to be involved in their medical schools FMIG activities.



Medical School Loan Repayment & Service Programs

NC Medical Society Foundation's Community Practitioner Program - The Community Practitioner Program provides financial assistance to family physicians, physician assistants, and family nurse practitioners in return for service in an underserved community. The Community Practitioner Program is the only North Carolina-based funding source that assists physicians and mid-level practitioners in all areas of the state. Eligibility requirements include practicing in a documented health manpower shortage area, medically underserved area or economically distressed area.

Visit the NC Medical Society Foundation's Community Practitioner Program Web Page


NC Office of Research, Demonstrations and Rural Health Development - The shortage of primary health care providers in North Carolina is severe, particularly in the State's rural areas. In response to this shortage, the State has pioneered innovative approaches for placing health professionals in its underserved communities. The Office provides practice incentives for primary care providers who serve in underserved areas. Incentives include medical loan repayment and facilitation of the application process for the Federal Loan Repayment Program.

Visit the NC Office of Rural Health's Service Incentive Programs Page


National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Programs - Research scientists develop treatments and discover cures for diseases and disorders that affect us all. More researchers are needed to meet today’s critical health needs. The NIH Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs) encourage promising researchers and scientists to pursue research careers by repaying up to $35,000 of their qualified student loan debt each year.

National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Programs Webpage


National Health Service Corps - The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program provides $50,000 (or the outstanding balance of qualifying student loans if it is less than $50,000), tax free, to primary care medical, dental and mental health clinicians in exchange for two years of service at an approved site in a Health Professional Shortage Area. Upon completion of the service commitment, clinicians may be eligible to apply for additional support for extended service.

Visit the National Health Service Corps Webpage


Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Public Service Loan Forgiveness is a new program (2008) for federal student loan borrowers who work in certain kinds of jobs. It will forgive remaining debt after 10 years of eligible employment and qualifying loan payments.

Visit the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Webpage