Where to start in North Carolina
The North Carolina Academy of Physician Associates (NCAPA) offers two awards for students entering or in the clinical year: the $1,000 Trailblazer Scholarship for Black or African American students and a student grant for one NCAPA student member from each North Carolina program. Both were last due July 1, 2026.
Graduate, PA and medical students in Chatham, Durham, Orange or Wake county with addiction treatment or prevention experience should watch for the next Shaver-Hitchings Scholarship, which pays $1,500 and was last due March 9, 2026. East Carolina University students have two awards due January 15, 2027, and UNC Chapel Hill lists five for its own students.
North Carolina awards
Across North Carolina
-
North Carolina Academy of Physician Associates (NCAPA)
NC PA students entering the clinical year who identify as Black/African American.
- Window
- Last deadline: July 1, 2026
-
North Carolina Academy of Physician Associates (NCAPA)
One student from each NC PA program entering or enrolled in the clinical year.
- Window
- Last deadline: July 1, 2026
- Membership
- NCAPA student member
-
Shaver-Hitchings Scholarship $1,500
Triangle Community Foundation
Residents of Chatham, Durham, Orange or Wake county who are graduate, PA or medical students and have worked, preferably as volunteers, in addiction treatment or prevention education.
- Window
- Last deadline: March 9, 2026
Limited to one PA program
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
-
Awarded to UNC PA students considering financial need and alignment with program mission.
- Window
- Application goes out at the start of the academic year
-
UNC PA student with excellence in preclinical academic performance and promotion of the program.
-
Preferentially awarded to former Special Forces medics and other medically trained veterans in the PA program.
-
Annually to a first- and second-year UNC PA student based on educational experience and promotion of the profession.
-
UNC PA students committed to community service and underserved patients who plan to provide primary care.
East Carolina University
-
Students enrolled in the PA Studies department who show commitment to the program and desire to become a PA in eastern North Carolina.
- Window
- Due January 15, 2027
-
Students enrolled in a program in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies.
- Window
- Due January 15, 2027
Awards open in every state
North Carolina students can also apply for national awards. The full directory lists 36 of them, including PA Foundation, specialty society and service program awards, and awards open to other fields.
Before you accept any award, read how outside scholarships affect your financial aid and taxes.