I first discovered many of these options while helping a family member almost 10 years ago. Not only do they still work today, but since writing Creative College Funding, I’ve found many new ones. Can your teen become a dentist without student loan debt? A doctor? A vet? Absolutely!
My niece wanted to go to dental school, but was overwhelmed by her enormous student loan from her undergraduate degree. As graduation quickly approached, she knew she had only 6 months before her loan payments would kick in – so she either had to land a job and start repaying them, or get into dental school ASAP. Anything to defer those payments. But, how to pay for dental school? Aunt Jennifer to the rescue.
If your teen dreams of a high-cost professional degree, you can help them plan a route that results in zero student loan debt, but I’m not messing around – you have to be willing to take the path less traveled. If this were easy, everyone would do it, so if you were hoping I would provide a link to a secret pile of money, you’re going to be disappointed. But, are excited by the possibility of a debt-free option, keep reading.
There are three straightforward ways students can attend these high-cost graduate programs tuition-free and even receive a living stipend. Of course the more creative ways require a lot more motivation, so for this post, I’m going to focus on the three zero-out-of-pocket opportunities any of your students can do.
Let’s break down the options, what they cost (or don’t), and who they’re right for.
Option 1: Combined Professional / Ph.D. Programs
Best for: High-achieving students with a strong interest in research or teaching
In the world of academia, one of the best-kept secrets is that Ph.D. programs in the sciences are usually fully funded. That means tuition is covered, and the student gets a stipend for living expenses, even though they may be spending 5–7 years earning that degree.
But wait, a Ph.D. isn’t the right degree…. but wait, I’m getting there.
What few people know is that many universities offer combined professional degree and Ph.D. programs:
- DDS/Ph.D. (Dentistry)
- MD/Ph.D. (Medicine)
- DVM/Ph.D. (Veterinary)
- PharmD/Ph.D. (Pharmacy)
- OD/Ph.D. (Optometry)
These programs are typically designed for students who want to enter academic medicine, clinical research, or health sciences education. The university benefits by developing future faculty, and the student benefits by receiving full tuition plus a stipend throughout the entire program.
Some examples of universities that offer DDS/Ph.D. or MD/Ph.D. programs with stipends include:
- University of Maryland
- University of Minnesota
- University of Michigan
- University of Florida
- University of Connecticut
- University of Washington
These programs are competitive. Students generally need strong GPAs, research experience, and high test scores. But for the right student, this is a fully funded path into a doctorate and a professional career.
PROS:
- Full tuition covered
- Monthly stipend (often $25K–$30K/year)
- Graduate with 2 degrees
- Opens doors in academia, research, and clinical practice
- Graduate without debt
CONS:
- Competitive admissions
- Takes longer than a standard DDS/MD/PharmD (typically 7–8 years)
- Includes research and dissertation work in addition to clinical studies
Option 2: National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship
Best for: Students committed to serving in underserved communities
The NHSC Scholarship Program is a federal program that pays for 100% of tuition and fees for students in certain healthcare fields. It also covers books, supplies, and a monthly living stipend (currently over $1,400/month). In return, recipients commit to working in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) after graduation.
Fields Covered:
- Medicine (MD or DO)
- Dentistry (DDS or DMD)
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
- Physician Assistant (PA)
Note: As of now, this program does not cover pharmacy, optometry, or veterinary programs.
Each year, around 330 scholarships are awarded, so it is competitive, but absolutely attainable for dedicated students. The service requirement is 1 year of work for each year of scholarship, with a minimum 2-year commitment.
PROS:
- Full ride: tuition, books, fees, living expenses
- No repayment after your service obligation is fulfilled
- Real-world experience in medically underserved communities
- Great for students with a passion for public service
- Graduate without debt
CONS:
- Must work in designated underserved areas after graduation
- Only covers certain healthcare professions
- Competitive application process
- Salary in underserved areas will be lower than in private or high-profile jobs.
This is an ideal option for a student who wants to make a difference in public health and is willing to serve in return for a debt-free education. All applications are submitted through the HRSA website: https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/scholarships/
The application is usually open once per year (typically between March and May), and it is highly competitive.
Option 3: U.S. Military Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)
Best for: Students who want to serve in the military as a healthcare professional
The Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) is offered by the Army, Navy, and Air Force and covers 100% of tuition for eligible health profession degrees. Students also receive a monthly stipend of about $2,700, plus an annual bonus of up to $20,000, coverage for books and supplies, and even officers’ pay during breaks.
This scholarship is available for:
- Medical School (MD or DO)
- Dental School (DDS or DMD)
- Veterinary School (DVM or VMD) (Army only)
- Optometry School (OD)
- Pharmacy School (PharmD)
- Clinical Psychology (Ph.D./PsyD)
Once accepted, the student enters the military on “inactive reserve” during school, and upon graduation, begins their active duty service (typically one year of service for each year of scholarship) with a minimum of 3–4 years.
PROS:
- Full tuition covered
- Living stipend + sign-on bonus
- All books, supplies, and equipment paid for
- Access to military benefits
- Excellent for those with patriotism and leadership aspirations
- Graduate without debt
CONS:
- Must commit to military service after graduation
- Requires officer training and fitness standards
- Not for students unsure about a military lifestyle
For students with a military mindset or who come from military families, this program is a highly respected and strategic way to earn a graduate health degree for free.
Five More
As homeschoolers, you’re probably already used to taking the road less traveled, so these options may not feel like a stretch. But for someone looking for the easiest, most direct path, these programs might not be what the average guidance counselor has in mind. But make no mistake, these are real, achievable, and life-changing for the student who doesn’t want a six-figure student loan debt! I have five more that require a little more creativity, apply to additional health programs, or are more limited – but all legitimate ways to make it into the health profession without debt.
If you’d like to learn a smarter way to pay for your education, my new book, Creative College Funding: How Smart Homeschooling Families Get Through College Without Debt, is dedicated to this topic!
I’ve always been willing to find creative ways to get through college without debt, and my family is on degree #14 without debt. You can do this too!
- ROTC Scholarships and Military Officer Programs
The book covers Army, Navy/Marine, and Air Force ROTC scholarships that fund 100% of tuition at more than 1,700 colleges. These include healthcare and medical career tracks within the services, leading to commissioned medical officer careers that often fund professional health degrees in exchange for post-graduation service. (pages 27-32) - Tribal Promise Programs for Medicine and Law
The Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise Program provides full tuition for medical or law degrees at the University of Wisconsin–Madison for members of the state’s eleven federally recognized tribes. (pages 105-106) - Employer-Based Healthcare Tuition Programs
The Bon Secours Mercy Health Program offers 100% tuition coverage for degrees in nursing, respiratory therapy, medical assisting, laboratory science, radiologic technology, pharmacy technology, and surgical technology, available to employees from day one. (page 40-41) - State “Last-Dollar” Scholarships in High-Demand Health Fields
States like Iowa and Kansas fund tuition for programs in nursing, dental assisting, respiratory care, and similar allied-health majors through initiatives such as the Future Ready Iowa Scholarship and Kansas Promise Scholarship, both covering full tuition and required materials in exchange for in-state employment afterward. (page 88-92) - Dependent Tuition Waivers at University Medical Centers
The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) and similar institutions provide tuition waivers for employees and their dependent children,a strategy that can make medical education free through employment benefits. (page 205-207)
