Scholarship Opportunities Benefit Physician Assistant Students
The international need for physician’s assistants has hit such levels that the nation of Australia has sent recruiters all over to seek them out. Many experienced American PA’s are in such demand domestically that they often work two jobs to meet the need. The salaries have escalated to where one can get $75,000 a year with a few years experience, a two year degree and certification, often financed with the help of college grant opportunities.
At the same time, many do not know of these financial aids and the recession is doing a lot to hold many potential PA’s from enrolling. Many kids out of high school think twice when they balance four years of school against as much as a decade paying off student loans.
To quote the American Academy of Physician’s Assistants, it’s now time to start thinking outside the box before getting a student loan. They point out an extraordinary pile of internships, scholarships, grants and more available to those willing to enter their profession. So, with a little research and some council from a financial aid advisor, the Academy states it’s possible to not take out any loans at all. Here’s where they suggest to start looking:
(1) Federal and State Government – There’s a lot more out there than just a Pell and SEO Grant. The Academy reports that many of its members are working mothers and they got their education from Working Mom grants. There are also the armed services and federal agencies like AmeriCorps, who will train and/or provide educational vouchers for service. As it stands, both the federal and state governments offer a veritable alphabet soup of online degree grant programs to aspiring PA students.
(2) Internships – There’s actually a way one can end up being paid to learn. Many major medical institutions have put together work-study/internship programs as a way to fill their ranks. This usually involves taking courses with an online college and then clocking into the job when not studying. One should check in with the HR departments of hospitals and see what they have to say as this accomplishes the dual goals of hands on experience with book education.
(3) Professional Societies – The Agency has a scholarship program that award $1,000 a year aspiring PAs. It also goes so far as to cite a number of other professional groups, mainly from specialized areas, such as oncology and others. They should not be ignored as they have a vested interest in increasing their ranks.
(4) Corporate Scholarships and Grants – A number of private, for-profit companies also put in their fair share of financial assistance. For example, the Tylenol Scholarship awards over $250,000 a year to medical students of all stripes and colors, including physician’s assistants.
(5) Ethnic, Religious and other Fraternal Societies – Apparently there are funds from sources most never ever think of, such as the Elk’s Club, the National Organization for Women, American Legion, United Negro College Fund and even the Girls Scouts. A little research and you’ll be surprised what’s out there.
Internship, scholarship and grant online possibilities exist at levels those who have never researched might not suspect. The need for more students to enter this high demand field has created scholarships and grants that fit almost every student’s situation and aspirations.
