Best Pharmacist Scholarships To Help Pay for Pharmacy School in 2025

Becoming a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) is a significant investment. Scholarships and other funding can reduce how much you borrow, but pharmacy students can still end up borrowing a lot.

According to the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), borrowing averaged $170,956 in 2024. Meanwhile, entry-level pharmacists earned less than $90,000 in 2024, with median earnings clocking in at $137,480, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

That's why scholarships and other aid help your bottom line. Here's what to know about affording pharmacy school.

Current private student loan rates

Why should I apply for pharmacist scholarships?

Because financial aid like the Pell Grant isn't available to Pharm.D. students, scholarships are one way to reduce your reliance on student loans.

Average costs of Pharm.D. programs vary widely. Public university tuition and fees range from $10,000 to $40,000, while private programs can range from $33,000 to $85,000 or more, according to the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. Add living costs on top of that, and you can easily spend over six figures for a single year of pharmacy school.

Borrowing is also variable, averaging $204,576 for private pharmacy school and $143,338 for public in-state school, according to the 2024 AACP Graduating Student Survey.

Students should look for scholarships at all levels, from national to local.

Top national pharmacist scholarships

National scholarships are competitive and may be merit-based (based on grades and test scores), need-based, or awarded for other attributes. In addition to the scholarships listed below, also check the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy scholarships page.

• APhA Foundation Student Scholarship Program: The American Pharmacists Association offers a wide list of scholarships, mostly in the $1,000 range. Students must be members of their APhA-ASP chapter and meet other eligibility criteria.
• CVS Health/AACP Community Pharmacy Award: In partnership with AACP, the CVS Community Pharmacy scholarship offers a need-based scholarship for lower-income students with demonstrated leadership and academic success, as well as commitment to serving underserved communities after graduation. The scholarship amount is $20,000.
• Walmart Community Pharmacy Scholarship for Pharmacy Students: This $5,000 scholarship is awarded to students with demonstrated leadership and academic success, as well as commitment to serving in underserved communities after graduation, including rural or medically underserved areas.
• Tylenol Future Care Scholarship: Tylenol offers more than 30 scholarships to students in their second year of study in a medical field, including pharmacy. Awards are either $5,000 or $10,000.
• National Community Pharmacists Association Foundation Scholarships: The NCPA Foundation offers scholarships from $2,000 to $5,000 to third- and fourth-year students interested in serving in an independent community pharmacy. Partners in Pharmacy also offers a $10,000 need-based scholarship.

School-specific pharmacy scholarships

Many pharmacy schools offer scholarships, and some may offer other financial aid. The individual school's program is the best source for information about school-based and regional sources of funding. These could include local or state chapters of pharmacy associations, alumni associations, and drug manufacturers.

“Each program is very different, so it's important the student does a lot of homework to figure out which school can help the most,” says Jim Lundgren, founder of CollegeJim.com, which offers personalized college admissions and funding counseling.

Some programs list specific scholarship amounts on their website. The University of Michigan's pharmacy scholarships range from $4,000 to $6,000, with Leader Scholars awards of $5,000 for exemplary third-year students and $10,000 for one fourth-year student.

As you research schools, try to get a sense of a program's resources for helping its graduates succeed.

“Always ask about outcomes for the school, like where graduates tend to go and the type of support for those students,” says Emil Chuck, director of advising services at the Health Professional Student Association, an organization that helps students in underserved communities become health care providers for their communities.

You can compare schools' programs through the Pharmacy College Application Service.

State, local, and private scholarships for pharmacy students

You can search for scholarships through state-based pharmacy associations and foundations. The California Society of Health-System Pharmacists, for example, offers two $2,500 scholarships for California pharmacy students.

“Some schools' pharmacy programs are very active with state associations, and you can ask about those types of support for pharmacy students,” Chuck says.

Also explore local organizations for scholarships, including credit unions, nonprofit organizations, and community foundations. They might not be specific to pharmacy school, but you could still be eligible. STEM scholarships that aren't pharmacy-specific may be another possibility.

Tips for applying for pharmacy scholarships

Once you've finalized your list of schools, make sure to track their pharmacy scholarship deadlines. Some programs may require a separate application from your Pharm.D. application, while other schools consider you automatically for institutional scholarships when you apply.

Other ways to reduce pharmacy school debt

You have other options beyond scholarships to help reduce the amount you borrow.

Institutional grants

Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for institutional aid. Some schools may offer it to students with demonstrated need. But generally, professional students need to be prepared to look for other sources of funding.

Fellowships and internships

Typically, fellowships come after graduation, but some may be available to students in school who conduct research. These opportunities have stipends that could offset borrowing.

Explore school-specific fellowships, such as Washington State University's summer research fellowship, or the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education, for a list of fellowships and grants.

A pharmaceutical company might offer financial support for research conducted during your Pharm.D. program, Chuck says.

“It's a question of how well you do, what you're doing career-wise, and whether it lines up with what those companies have available,” he explains. Explore opportunities at your school if research interests you.

Also, look for internships with area pharmacies. Walgreens offers awards of up to $40,000 to its pharmacy interns each year they're enrolled in school and working for the company. In exchange, after graduation, you commit to working as a registered pharmacist for the same number of years that you received the award.

Loan forgiveness

Another possibility for debt relief after graduation is loan forgiveness, though you must have federal student loans. Two of the biggest forms of loan forgiveness include:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Working for a qualifying government agency or not-for-profit organization, in addition to meeting other requirements, can offer loan forgiveness after 10 years.
• Income-driven repayment forgiveness: If you're repaying your federal student loans under an income-driven repayment plan, you can qualify for forgiveness at the end of your repayment term.

Loan repayment programs

Loan repayment programs offer loan repayment assistance in exchange for a service commitment.

The National Health Service Corps offers two loan repayment programs (LRPs) for eligible pharmacists in exchange for working in a health professional shortage area:

• NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program: This program offers up to $75,000 in loan repayment for providing substance use disorder (SUD) treatment at an NHSC-approved site for 3 years. Proficiency in Spanish will forgive an additional $5,000.
• NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program: You can receive up to $100,000 for full-time service in a rural NHSC-approved SUD treatment facility, or $50,000 for half-time service. Proficiency in Spanish adds another $5,000.

Individual states also offer repayment programs for service commitments. Reach out to your state's program contact to learn about requirements. The Colorado Health Service Corps, for example, provides $90,000 in loan repayment for a three-year term at a state-approved site.

You can also seek out LRPs from government agencies, including:

• Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program: Working for 2 years at a qualifying health facility serving American Indian and Alaska native communities can eliminate up to $50,000 of your loan balance. Extending your commitment could repay even more.
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Education Debt Reduction Program: For those passionate about working with veterans, this VA-administered program offers up to $40,000 of loan repayment per year, or $200,000 over 5 years, for working in a VA medical facility.

Employer reimbursement

Explore tuition reimbursement for working for a specific employer. A pharmacy may agree to pay off a portion of your loans for you, according to Lundgren.