Medical Lab Science Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide for Aspiring Professionals
The healthcare industry is experiencing rapid growth, creating a significant demand for skilled and compassionate professionals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a much faster than average growth for healthcare practitioners and technical occupations from 2023 to 2033, with approximately 1.9 million new jobs expected. Within this expanding field, clinical laboratory technologists and technicians are projected to see a 5 percent growth by 2033. These professionals play a crucial role in hospitals, clinics, and doctors' offices, collecting and analyzing samples to provide essential information for patient care.
Pursuing a degree in medical technology can unlock various career paths and enhance the skills of those already working in healthcare. However, the costs associated with tuition, supplies, and medical textbooks can be substantial. Fortunately, numerous scholarships are available to help promising students achieve their academic and professional goals. These scholarships vary in eligibility requirements, focusing on factors such as academic merit, financial need, community involvement, demographic considerations, and career aspirations.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of medical science and technology scholarship opportunities for 2025.
General Scholarship Resources
Several organizations and institutions offer scholarships for students pursuing careers in medical laboratory science:
- NWHSU’s Institutional Scholarships: These scholarships do not need to be paid back, helping to reduce the cost of attendance. Students may be eligible for multiple scholarships. Donor Partners offer a variety of scholarships to incoming and current students. Scholarship volume is limited, and awards are competitive.
- The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) Education & Research (E&R) Fund: This charitable foundation provides scholarships, research grants, and professional awards to support the growth of the Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science profession. Scholarships include the Dan Southern Scholarship ($2,000) and scholarships in memory of Edward C. Dolbey, Michelle Kanuth, and Bernadette Rodak ($1,500 - $2,500). A $3,000 Edward C. Dolbey graduate scholarship is offered to graduate students in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science or a related field. The Fund also offers research grants of $3,000-$5,000.
- Alpha Mu Tau: Alpha Mu Tau is a national honorary fraternity that promotes clinical laboratory sciences. Annual scholarships are available to students enrolled in accredited programs, including clinical laboratory science/ or medical technology, clinical laboratory technician, or medical laboratory technician. E&R scholarship applications and review are administered by the Alpha Mu Tau Fraternity using a common scholarship application.
- The American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Foundation: The ASCP Foundation provides financial support to outstanding pathology students, helping them expand their skills, professional network, and knowledge. Clinical laboratory students are assisted through scholarships for tuition and books. One such scholarship is the ASCP Foundation Laboratory Student Scholarship.
- The Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions: The Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions sponsors a scholarship program for allied health professionals enrolled in its member schools. The screening committee looks for academic excellence and leadership at the local level as well as potential national leadership within the organization.
Program-Specific Scholarships
Many scholarships are tailored to specific programs within medical laboratory science, such as radiography, respiratory therapy, and surgical technology:
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- ASRT Foundation Scholarships: The ASRT Foundation awarded $422,375 in scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year, including professional and entry-level awards. One includes the Jerman-Cahoon Scholarship, presented in honor of John B. Cahoon, Jr., a former society president, and Edward C. Jerman, the society’s founder. The Elekta Radiation Therapy Scholarship was established to help the brightest and best students afford their radiation therapy programs.
- Association of Surgical Technologists: The foundation offers a variety of scholarships to students interested in surgical technology career paths. It also administers awards through the Association of Surgical Technologists, including the Educator of the Year honor. Students seeking to be considered must show academic ability, financial need, and proof that they have been accepted into an accredited program that provides surgical technology training to take the NBSTSA national certification exam. Scholarship winners also are required to join the AST (Association of Surgical Technologists).
- Senior-Level Pediatric Respiratory Therapy Awards: One or more annual awards are given to senior-level students in pediatric respiratory therapy. The selected recipient(s) must be in good academic standing, with preference given to a student with financial need.
- Radiography Program Scholarship: This $500 scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students in the professional phase of the Radiography program who demonstrate the qualities of Respect, Responsibility and Excellence. Non-traditional students are encouraged to apply.
Institution-Specific Scholarships
Numerous colleges and universities offer scholarships specifically for students enrolled in their medical laboratory science programs:
- University of Missouri: The Nate Brady Memorial Student Support Fund provides grants to help fund housing for students who must travel to complete clinical training. Applications are due June 1. Applicants must provide documentation of successfully completing one of several training courses (Mental Health First Aid, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, Wellness Recovery Action Plan, or Youth Peer Support) and submit an essay describing methods to increase awareness of available resources at the University of Missouri and in the Columbia community. One or more annual scholarship awards shall be given to undergraduate students enrolled in the CLS Program in CHS. One or more annual scholarship awards shall be given to students enrolled in CHS. Recipient must be full-time undergraduate CLS majors with senior level status. Recipients shall be in good academic standing and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Illinois State University: Illinois State University students majoring in clinical laboratory science can consider applying for this scholarship established in 1995 by Joseph and Audrey Naffziger in memory of Jeanne Martens, a 1977 graduate. To be eligible, applicants must be full-time students, at least a junior, and have a 3.0 GPA.
- Wright State University: Students attending Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio interested in clinical laboratory science programs can consider applying for this scholarship. Criteria include maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA while attending school. Financial aid will also be considered.
- University at Buffalo: The Program in Medical Laboratory Science at the University at Buffalo’s Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences awards the Sara Marie Cicarelli Memorial Scholarship to a student entering the senior year of the program.
- Western Kentucky University: This $1,200 scholarship is for undergraduate students enrolled full-time at Western Kentucky University, Biology Department majoring in Medical Technology. Students for this scholarship must be pursuing a four-year medical technology degree and should be accepted into an approved medical technology internship. Applicants must be full-time juniors or seniors with a GPA of 2.5.
- Michigan State University: Michigan State University’s College of Natural Science offers a variety of scholarships for students pursuing degrees in the biomedical laboratory diagnostics program. Applicants for this scholarship are selected based on good academic standing and financial need. Students for this scholarship must be residents of Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Kansas, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, or Ohio. Applicants for this scholarship must be working at least part-time while attending school. Eleanor L. MSU’s College of Natural Science offers a scholarship for students in the school’s biomedical laboratory diagnostics program interested in medical technology pathways. Any undergraduate can apply. Judges look at academic performance as well as financial needs.
- Eastern Michigan University (EMU): EMU’s School of Health Sciences offers a variety of scholarships to assist those pursuing health or medical programs. Qualifying students must have at least a 3.0 GPA.
- Louisiana Tech University (LTU): Ruston Hospital has donated the “Ruston Hospital Endowment Fund” to Louisiana Tech University. Ruston Hospital provides financial assistance to full-time Louisiana Tech University students who are part of the College of Applied and Natural Sciences. In addition to attending LTU, eligible students must graduate from a high school in the Lincoln Parish area. Applicants must be in a program or major related to the health profession.
- Florida State College At Jacksonville: Part-time or full-time students at Florida State College At Jacksonville are encouraged to apply for this scholarship that assists with the costs of study. To be eligible, they must be in the practicum phase of either the school’s medical lab program or the histologic technology associate degree program.
- University of Northwestern Ohio: High school seniors planning to study medical technology, business administration, information technology, marketing, or accounting at the University of Northwestern Ohio may consider pursuing this scholarship. Five scholarships are awarded at different rates, with the top scholar receiving tuition assistance for up to $20,000 for an associate degree or $40,000 for a baccalaureate degree.
- Bucknell University: This Lewisburg, PA university offers a variety of scholarships for students pursuing medical programs. Some are given in honor of alums who did well in medical fields, such as the J. Preston Hoyle M.D.
- Portland Community College (PCC): The PCC Foundation, based in Portland, OR, offers a variety of programs for students seeking degrees or certificates at PCC who have financial needs. This support can pay for books, tuition, or fees. The foundation offers assistance for specific programs or students in any field.
- Arizona State University: The John Holloway Undergraduate Scholarship was established in honor of Emeritus Professor John Holloway. This scholarship is awarded once annually to a student pursuing a degree in the School of Molecular Sciences. Preference will be given to those students evidencing aptitude to contribute significantly to a science or technology career.
- Minot State University (MSU): The national fraternal organization known as the Moose encourages local lodges to find ways to encourage students in their area to excel. That’s why Lodge No. 822, based in Minot, ND uses its Educational Trust Fund to help full-time students at MSU pursuing nursing, radiologic technology, pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-pharmacy, or medical technology fields. Applicants must be North Dakota residents.
- Wayne State College: Wayne State College’s Life Sciences department offers a variety of courses as well as resources to help students afford tuition, books, and supplies. One option is the Christine Marmo Birney Scholarship, available for medical technology, pharmacy, physician assistant, dentistry, physical therapy, or medicine students.
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga: The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga offers deserving students several awards and scholarship opportunities. Dr. Wilbur K. This scholarship was established in 1993 through a bequest from the estate of Alfred M. Butts in honor of his late brother, who was a faculty member for many years in the Department of Biology. It awards partial tuition to an outstanding student who has been accepted or is enrolled in biology with demonstrated academic performance.
- Angelina College: The Angelina College Scholarship Committee has several scholarships available for students by individuals and organizations interested in the education of worthy students in the community. One such scholarship is the Bartlett and Spivey Health Careers Scholarship. In honor of their families, Dr. and Mrs. Dan Spivey established this scholarship fund to provide financial assistance and encouragement to students pursuing excellence in health careers.
- Ivy Tech: Ivy Tech provides various degree and certificate programs at more than 30 campuses around Indiana. Many of these courses focus on medical laboratory science.
- Trident Technical College (TTC): There are more than 150 scholarship funds available to TTC students with an average award amount of $1,000. In the 2022-2023 academic year, the college received 1,639 scholarship applications, and 458 scholarships were awarded for a total of $425,376.
- SUNY Plattsburgh: Since 1986, the family of former chemistry faculty member Lorraine Gonyea-Stewart has used funds from selling ferritin she purified to help undergraduate students in the medical technology program. Priority is given to fourth-year and clinical-year students, although third-year students can apply.
- South Piedmont Community College: This scholarship was established by Chuck Horne and Kenneth W. Horne Jr. Full-time students from Anson County (or counties surrounding this Polkton, NC campus) studying allied health programs are eligible to apply for this endowed scholarship. Preference is given to nursing or surgical technology students and those who want to continue their education after completing undergraduate courses.
- Eastern Florida State College: The Dr. Recipients for this scholarship must be Florida residents (Brevard County preferred) pursuing an AS degree in medical laboratory technology.
Scholarships Based on Specific Criteria
Some scholarships are awarded based on specific criteria, such as financial need, academic achievement, or affiliation with certain organizations:
- Norton Healthcare James R. Scholarship: Dependents of Norton Healthcare employees who are considering a degree in a healthcare-related field may be eligible for this $2,000 scholarship. To be considered, dependents or children must be eligible to be covered as dependents under the benefits plan, be accepted into a regionally accredited university or college in preparation for an undergraduate degree in a healthcare-related field, and have full-time status during the semester for which the scholarship is paid.
- Overland Park Regional Medical Center Scholarship: Overland Park Regional Medical Center Scholarship provides several scholarship opportunities to students who demonstrate financial need and meet the eligibility criteria. Applicants must be enrolled in at least six credits and have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher at Johnson County Community College.
- U.S. Army Medical Department Scholarships: The U.S. Army Medical Department is eager to have future military members with advanced medical training. It offers full scholarships for people enrolled in various medical, optometry, veterinary, and dental programs.
- W.K. Kellogg Foundation Scholarships: The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, created by the cereal pioneer’s estate, provides funds to schools around the country to be given to deserving students who have the potential to improve local communities.
- The AAMI Foundation Michael J. Miller Scholarship Program: Created in 2009, the AAMI Foundation Michael J. Miller Scholarship Program supports students who wish to pursue a healthcare career. Applicants for this scholarship must be current or entering full-time college students seeking a career in healthcare technology at an accredited college or university.
- Campus Safety, Health, and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA) Scholarship: Since 1977, the CSHEMA has sponsored a scholarship award to encourage the study of safety and environmental management and to promote careers in this field. This scholarship was created in memory of Dr. Association members can receive training and certification, plus access to networking opportunities.
Other Scholarship Opportunities
In addition to the scholarships listed above, several other organizations and institutions offer financial aid for students pursuing medical laboratory science degrees:
- The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging: The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging created a scholarship in memory of Paul Cole, a past society president who championed technologists’ education. The scholarship comes from a grant from the Education and Research Foundation for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.
- The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA): The American Health Information Management Association, or AHIMA, aims to support leadership in health information, governance, and informatics. Qualifying students can be in associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral programs. Current membership in AHIMA is required.
- Dr. Louis Hampers Scholarship: The Dr. Louis Hampers Scholarship is for future medical students. A single prize of $1,000 is to be awarded to a single student studying on the path to becoming a doctor.
- American University of the Caribbean: The American University of the Caribbean offers medical school scholarships recognizing volunteerism, academic excellence, and more available to those who apply and qualify. These scholarships are not transferable from institution to institution. Applicants must have an undergraduate overall GPA of 3.0 or a minimum MCAT score of 490.
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