Scholarships for Dental School: How and Where to Apply

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Abigail Eun
Abigail Eun
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Abigail Eun is a freelance writer and personal finance expert. Through diligent research and continuous learning, she has honed her knowledge in budgeting, saving, investing, and debt management. Abigail is passionate about helping people get their finances in order. She believes that everyone should have access to the information they need to make sound financial decisions. Her goal is to provide clear and concise information that is easy to understand.

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Edited by
Daniel Kahn
Daniel Kahn
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Daniel is the co-founder and COO at Sparrow. Daniel is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a company, working closely with other members of the executive team to develop and implement strategies to support the growth and success of the company.
Daniel was a 2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 lister in the Education category.  Daniel was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina and graduated from Duke University in 2020.
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Camden Ford
Camden Ford
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Camden leads Sparrow’s business operations – everything from product management to business analytics. After graduating Cum Laude from Duke University where he studied Civil Engineering, Camden worked as a Consultant for A.T. Kearney where he worked in their Strategic Operations practice. With a strong background in analytics, Camden strives to deliver data-driven conclusions and insights.

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Updated
January 5, 2024
On a similar note

How Much Does Grad School Cost?

January 22 · 5 min read

According to NerdWallet, dental school students graduated with an average of $304,824 in debt in 2020. Though the tuition for dental school differs between dental programs, financing dental school tuition can be a hefty and expensive challenge. 

Scholarships are a great way to minimize this overall debt total. Let’s find out which scholarships are best to apply for in order to make the cost of tuition more affordable.

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Benefits of a Scholarship 

Receiving a scholarship (or better yet, multiple scholarships) is like getting free money to pay for tuition. 

You don’t have to pay scholarships off because they are a form of gift aid, as opposed to private student loans and federal student loans, which you’ll need to pay back. 

Applying to as many scholarships as you can to pay for dental school is a financially strategic way to avoid racking up student loan debt. 

Can I Get Scholarships for Dental School?

You can receive internal scholarships (awarded by your dental program) or external scholarships (awarded by private, professional, or non-profit organizations) for dental school. 

Dental school scholarships usually vary in size depending on the institution you are receiving them from.

Can I Get a Full Ride Scholarship for Dental School? 

While it is possible to cover your entire tuition for dental school with scholarships, it’s extremely rare. Given how expensive tuition is, you’ll need a substantial amount of scholarship money to cover the whole cost. Full-ride scholarships are typically very competitive, and thus, few students receive them. 

You can, however, cover a substantial amount of your dental school expenses with scholarships. But, given how expensive tuition is, it may be challenging to cover the whole cost with scholarships.

Many dental schools award scholarships to their students based on merit and financial need. Depending on your individual financial situation and the campus-based dental scholarship programs, you may be able to secure a decent amount of scholarship money from your school.

If you apply to external scholarships, it will be a lot more difficult to pay your entire tuition. External scholarships are usually extremely competitive and relatively small. And with the average dental school tuition ranging from $53,000 to $70,000 per year, you’ll need quite a few scholarships to cover that amount. 

However, this doesn’t discount the fact that external scholarships add up significantly, especially if you are consistently making an effort to apply to as many scholarships as possible.

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Eligibility Criteria for Dental Scholarships 

The eligibility criteria to receive a dental scholarship is fundamentally the same as the scholarship requirements for undergraduate or graduate programs. 

  1. Be enrolled in an eligible program. Scholarships are usually only awarded to students who are enrolled in an accredited four-year dental program. Make sure to check if the dental program you are enrolled in qualifies you to receive a scholarship. 
  2. Exhibit academic or professional achievement. While some scholarship programs are intended for students of certain minority groups with special interests, or students with financial need, you’ll still want to be a competitive applicant. You’ll want to have a variety of community service, research experience, dental-related work, and extracurricular activities to set you apart as an applicant. 

What GPA Do You Need for a Dental Scholarship?

Generally, you’ll want to have a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher in order to qualify for dental scholarships. However, the higher your GPA is, the more competitive of an applicant you’ll be. 

Keep in mind to consider your Science GPA in addition to your cumulative GPA. Your Science GPA is calculated based on Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math (BCPM).

In 2019, it was reported that the average cumulative GPA for dental school students was 3.55 and the Science GPA was 3.45.

Where to Find Dental School Scholarships 

Professional Organizations 

The American Dental Association is a prestigious professional organization for pre-dental students, dental students, and all dental occupations. The ADA has partnered with organizations like MouthWatch Patti DiGangi, Crest Oral B, and more to offer scholarships to dental students. 

The National Dental Association also offers scholarships for a wide range of students, from the Dr. Bessie E. Delaney Scholarship $10,000 Post-Doctoral Scholarship Award to the Dr. Joseph L. Henry First Year Scholarship $2,000 Freshman Scholarship. 

Be sure to check out this list of professional dental organizations and see what each organization has to offer in regards to scholarships.

Your University 

If you meet the criteria of demonstrated financial need and high merit, the dental school that you are applying to will usually automatically offer scholarships with your financial aid award.

However, dental schools do provide scholarships outside of the ones offered with financial aid awards. For example, there are usually university-specific scholarships, such as a Dental Alumni Association Scholarship, that are funded by previous dental students who have graduated and pursued their health professions in dentistry. 

For example, the UNC Adams School of Dentistry and the Washington University Dental Alumni Association, along with many other dental programs, offer annual scholarships to qualified students. 

Scholarship applications can be found on your dental school’s website.

Helpful Search Engines

Scholarships.com for Dental Scholarships 

Scholarships.com is a database for scholarships that is organized based off of everything from major, to SAT score, to residency. It’s a great place to find dental scholarships as you can create a free profile, find scholarships that are relevant to you, and also obtain assistance in paying tuition. 

Sallie Mae’s Scholarship Search Tool

Sallie Mae is a private student loan company that offers a free Scholarship Search tool for undergraduate and graduate students. Make a profile today to find scholarships based on your skills, field of study, and interests!

Bold

Bold is the holy grail website for finding scholarships. Offering exclusive scholarships for high school students, undergraduates, and graduates, you can find scholarships based on your experiences, skills, and field of study.

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Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills, or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations; and terms and conditions may apply. For Ascent Terms and Conditions please visit: www.AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Rates are effective as of 11/1/2024 and reflect an automatic payment discount of either 0.25% (for credit-based loans) OR 1.00% (for undergraduate outcomes-based loans). Automatic Payment Discount is available if the borrower is enrolled in automatic payments from their personal checking account and the amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. For Ascent rates and repayment examples please visit: AscentFunding.com/Rates. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. Cosigned Credit-Based Loan student must meet certain minimum credit criteria. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner. Lowest rates require full
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Some lenders participating on LendKey.com may offer the benefit of cosigner release. Cosigner release is subject to lender approval. In order to qualify, the borrower, alone, must meet the following requirements: (1) Make the required number of consecutive, on-time full principal and interest payments as indicated in the borrower’s credit agreement during the repayment period (excluding interest-only payments) immediately prior to the request. Any period of forbearance will reset the repayment clock; (2) The account cannot be in delinquent status; (3) The borrower must provide proof of income indicating that he/she meets the income requirements and pass a credit review demonstrating that he/she has a satisfactory credit history and the ability to assume full responsibility of loan repayment; (4) No bankruptcies or foreclosures in the last sixty months; and (5) No loan defaults.

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Loan products, terms, and benefits may be modified or discontinued by participating lenders at any time without notice. Rates displayed are reserved for the most creditworthy consumers who enroll to make automatic monthly payments. Your initial rate will be determined after a review of your application and credit profile. Variable rates may increase after consummation. You must be either a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident in an eligible state and from an eligible school, and meet the lender’s credit and income requirements to qualify for a loan. Certain membership requirements (including the opening of a share account, a minimum share account deposit, and the payment of any applicable association fees in connection with membership) may apply in the event that an applicant wishes to apply with, and accept a loan offered from, a credit union lender. If you are not a member of the credit union lender, you may apply and become a member during the loan application process if you meet the lender’s eligibility criteria. Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may result in a better chance of loan approval and/or lower interest rate. Loans for exam preparation classes, including, but not limited to, loans for LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, and GRE preparation, are not available via LendKey.com.

2 – Cosigner Release

Some lenders participating on LendKey.com may offer the benefit of cosigner release. Cosigner release is subject to lender approval. In order to qualify, the borrower, alone, must meet the following requirements: (1) Make the required number of consecutive, on-time full principal and interest payments as indicated in the borrower’s credit agreement during the repayment period (excluding interest-only payments) immediately prior to the request. Any period of forbearance will reset the repayment clock; (2) The account cannot be in delinquent status; (3) The borrower must provide proof of income indicating that he/she meets the income requirements and pass a credit review demonstrating that he/she has a satisfactory credit history and the ability to assume full responsibility of loan repayment; (4) No bankruptcies or foreclosures in the last sixty months; and (5) No loan defaults.

3 – Autopay Rate Reduction

Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments.

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Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments. The lowest advertised APR is only available for loan terms of 10 years and is reserved for the highest qualified applicants, taking into consideration the applicant’s credit and other factors.

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Earnest Private Student Loans are made by One American Bank, Member FDIC, or FinWise Bank, Member FDIC. One American Bank, 515 S. Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Finwise Bank, 756 East Winchester, Suite 100, Murray, UT 84107
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3.69 - 16.49%
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Variable APR

Student Loan Origination (Private Student Loan) Interest Rate Disclosure:

Actual rate and available repayment terms will vary based on your income. Fixed rates range from 3.94% APR to 16.74% APR (excludes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Variable rates range from 5.87% APR to 17.10% APR (excludes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Earnest variable interest rate student loan origination loans are based on a publicly available index, the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The variable rate is based on the rate published on the 25th day, or the next business day, of the preceding calendar month, rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percent. The rate will not increase more than once per month. Although the rate will vary after you are approved, it will never exceed 36% (the maximum allowable for this loan). Please note, Earnest Private Student Loans are not available in Nevada. Our lowest rates are only available for our most credit qualified borrowers and contain our .25% auto pay discount from a checking or savings account. It is important to note that the 0.25% Auto Pay discount is not available while loan payments are deferred.
Earnest Private Student Loans are made by One American Bank, Member FDIC, or FinWise Bank, Member FDIC. One American Bank, 515 S. Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Finwise Bank, 756 East Winchester, Suite 100, Murray, UT 84107
Earnest loans are serviced by Earnest Operations LLC, 535 Mission St., Suite 1663 San Francisco, CA 94105, NMLS #1204917, with support from Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri (MOHELA) (NMLS# 1442770). One American Bank, FinWise Bank, and Earnest LLC and its subsidiaries, including Earnest Operations LLC, are not sponsored by agencies of the United States of America. © 2024 Earnest LLC. All rights reserved.
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(1) All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation.

(2) As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.

(3) This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.

Information advertised valid as of 11/1/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.

3.59 - 17.99%
Variable APR
Variable APR

College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.

(1) All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation.

(2) As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.

(3) This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.

Information advertised valid as of 11/1/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.

5.34 - 17.99%

Final Thoughts from the Nest

While covering the educational costs of dental school with internal and external scholarships is a strenuous challenge, every scholarship counts!

Make sure to apply to as many scholarships as you can and keep in touch with your dental school’s financial aid office.

Once you’ve exhausted your scholarship options, consider taking out a dental school loan

A dental degree is not as out of reach as it seems!

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