Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Scholarships & Financial Aid Guide
Your complete roadmap to every scholarship, fellowship, grant, and military award available at ACOM — with amounts, eligibility criteria, deadlines, and direct application links to help you fund your path to becoming a D.O.
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM), located in Dothan, Alabama, is the state’s first and only osteopathic medical school — a private, non-profit institution established in 2010 as an academic division of Southeast Health. Its mission is explicitly tied to serving medically underserved communities in Alabama and across the Southeast, and its scholarship portfolio reflects that mission: many of the most significant awards are specifically designed for students committed to rural medicine, primary care, and service in shortage areas.
Funding a D.O. education is one of the most consequential financial decisions a prospective physician will make. ACOM’s Office of Financial Aid actively works to help students navigate institutional awards, military programs, state funding, and a broad universe of national medical scholarship organizations. This guide aggregates all known awards in one place, verified against ACOM’s official financial aid pages, the Southeast Health Foundation, state agencies, and major medical associations as of May 2026.
🏥 Institutional ACOM Scholarships
ACOM offers a small but highly targeted set of institutional scholarships administered directly by the college and the Southeast Health Foundation. These are the most valuable awards available and are tied to ACOM’s core mission of training physicians for underserved Alabama communities.
⭐ ACOM Fellows Scholars Program
Full Tuition Waiver + $18,000 ScholarshipTracks available: Anatomy/Osteopathic Principles & Practice (OPP) or Clinical Simulation (SIM)
What it is: A competitive, one-year additional track (8 extra credit hours) that trains selected students in medical education and research alongside ACOM faculty. Fellows assist in department operations and gain master’s-level teaching and faculty preparation experience.
Award: A full tuition waiver for the Fellows Track year plus an $18,000 scholarship — making this ACOM’s most generous single institutional award.
How to apply: Contact the Office of the Associate Dean of Anatomy, Molecular Medicine, Graduate Studies & Research at ACOM. Not listed on the general scholarship application cycle.
🌾 ACOM Rural Medicine Scholarship
Varies — First-Year Funding AssistanceEstablished: 2024 — awarded annually to eligible applicants
Who qualifies: Must be an Alabama applicant accepted for admission to ACOM; cumulative undergraduate GPA ≥ 3.0; MCAT score ≥ 502; must commit in writing to practicing osteopathic medicine in rural and medically underserved areas of Alabama following residency.
Application cycle: The 2025/2026 application cycle is closed. Watch for the 2026/2027 cycle to open in spring 2026.
🏛️ Southeast Health Foundation Awards
ACOM’s parent organization, Southeast Health, operates a philanthropic foundation that funds student scholarships directly. These are administered outside ACOM’s standard scholarship cycle and require separate applications through the Foundation.
Walter Scott Foundation ACOM Scholarship
Southeast Health Foundation General ACOM Scholarship
🎖️ Military & Veterans Programs
Military scholarship programs for D.O. students are among the most comprehensive funding options available — covering tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend in exchange for a service commitment upon graduation. ACOM actively highlights these programs for eligible students.
Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)
Army Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)
Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)
Armed Forces Financial Assistance Programs (FAP)
🏠 Alabama State Programs
Alabama funds several programs specifically designed to incentivize physicians to practice in underserved areas of the state — a natural fit for ACOM’s mission-driven student body. These are administered by state agencies and require separate applications.
Alabama Board of Medical Scholarship Awards
Alabama Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Scholarships
🩺 National Medical Association Scholarships
ACOM’s scholarship resource page lists a broad universe of national awards from osteopathic, allopathic, and specialty medical organizations. These require direct application to the awarding body and are open to students at any accredited medical school, including ACOM.
| Scholarship / Organization | Amount | Eligibility | Deadline | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama Osteopathic Medical Association (ALOMA) Scholarship | Up to $5,000 | Alabama native; completed OMS I; intends to practice in Alabama after residency; ALOMA member; financial need considered | June 30 | ALOMA → |
| American Medical Association Foundation Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship | $10,000 | Medical students approaching their final year; academic excellence; AMA membership recommended | Varies (spring) | AMA Foundation → |
| AMA Underrepresented in Medicine Scholarship | Varies | Students from ethnic backgrounds underrepresented in medicine; enrolled in accredited U.S. medical school | Varies | AMA → |
| AACOM / AACOMAS Fee Waiver & Sherry R. Arnstein Scholarship | Arnstein: varies; awarded to ≥2 students annually (1 new, 1 continuing) | Osteopathic medical students; financial need; academic merit. Fee waiver for financially disadvantaged applicants (apply before submitting AACOMAS) | Rolling (early) | AACOM → |
| American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) Foundation Scholarships | Varies | D.O. students with interest in osteopathic family medicine; leadership; specific interest areas per award | Varies by award | ACOFP Foundation → |
| American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) Scholarships & Research Grants | Varies | Osteopathic students and physicians; multiple awards covering education, research, and special projects | Varies by award | AOF → |
| American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) Scholarships & Grants | Varies | Women in medicine; need-based tuition scholarships, travel awards, and program grants | Varies | AMWA → |
| Baptist Medical Dental Fellowship Grant | Varies | Students committed to serving in medically underserved communities; faith-based program; no specific denomination required | Varies | BMDF → |
| AAMC FIRST Financial Aid Resources & Loan Counseling | Resource / Tool (not a grant) | All medical students; provides financial literacy resources, loan repayment planning tools, and scholarship databases | Ongoing | AAMC FIRST → |
| AMASA Medical Student Scholarship | Varies | Location-based; medical students in specific states/regions; contact for current year eligibility | Varies | ACOM Scholarships → |
💳 Loan Repayment & Forgiveness Programs
Loan repayment programs are not scholarships in the traditional sense — but for future physicians willing to serve in underserved areas, they can eliminate hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical school debt. ACOM lists these on its scholarship resource page as essential tools for graduating D.O.s.
National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship & Loan Repayment
Indian Health Service (IHS) Scholarship & Loan Repayment
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) — Alabama
📋 How to Apply — Step by Step
Medical school scholarship applications require a different level of preparation than undergraduate awards. Lead times are longer, requirements are stricter, and competition is fierce. Here’s how to build a winning strategy at ACOM.
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1
Apply for Admission to ACOM via AACOMAS
Submit through the centralized AACOMAS application portal. You must be accepted for admission before you can apply for most ACOM institutional scholarships. Apply as early as possible — the Rural Medicine Scholarship and others specify acceptance as a prerequisite.
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2
Complete the FAFSA Each Year
File at studentaid.gov each October 1 when the new cycle opens. Federal student aid at ACOM is awarded year-by-year; students must reapply annually. ACOM begins generating financial aid offers in late spring/early summer — monitor your ACOM email for announcements.
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3
Watch for the Annual ACOM Scholarship Application Packet
ACOM releases a unified general scholarship application each spring, covering Foundation and institutional awards. The 2025/2026 cycle is now closed. Monitor acom.edu/scholarships and your ACOM email for the 2026/2027 opening. Documents submitted after the deadline are not accepted.
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4
Apply to the Fellows Scholars Program Separately
The Fellows Scholars Track is not part of the general scholarship cycle. Interested students should contact the Office of the Associate Dean of Anatomy, Molecular Medicine, Graduate Studies & Research directly. Spots are limited and competitive — build your research and teaching experience early.
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5
Apply to Military Programs Early (Before or During Matriculation)
HPSP applications are ideally submitted before matriculation or in the first year of medical school. Contact an Armed Forces Health Professions Recruiter — the Navy, Army, and Air Force all have dedicated medical school recruiters. Review ACOM’s Military & Veterans page for current information and the linked HPSP PDF.
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6
Apply to ALOMA & National Association Awards Directly
Submit the ALOMA scholarship at aloma.org by June 30. For national association awards (AMA, ACOFP, AOF, AMWA), apply directly through each organization’s portal. These operate on independent cycles — set calendar reminders for each.
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7
Report All Outside Funding to ACOM Financial Aid
Federal regulations require you to report all scholarships, grants, and outside funding to ACOM’s Financial Aid Office. Use the Financial Aid Reporting Form available on acom.edu/financial-aid-forms. Failure to report can affect your federal aid eligibility.
🗓️ Key Deadlines at a Glance
Compile these dates into your academic calendar at the start of each year. Missing a single deadline can cost you thousands.
| Deadline | Scholarship / Program | Year Level | Action Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 1 | FAFSA Opens (new cycle) | All years | Submit FAFSA at studentaid.gov immediately |
| Spring (varies) | ACOM General Scholarship Application Packet Released | All enrolled students | Monitor acom.edu/scholarships and ACOM email; submit before stated close date |
| June 30 | ALOMA Scholarship | OMS II, III, IV | Mail application packet to ALOMA Secretary-Treasurer; include transcript, reference letter, biographical letter |
| July 31 (historical) | Walter Scott Foundation ACOM Scholarship | OMS III | Submit via Southeast Health Foundation; GPA ≥ 3.3; 5,000-character essay required |
| Year-round / Rolling | Military HPSP (Navy, Army, Air Force) | Pre-matriculation or OMS I preferred | Contact an Armed Forces Health Professions Recruiter; begin before or during first year |
| Varies by award | AMA, ACOFP, AOF, AMWA, BMDF National Awards | Various | Check each organization’s portal annually; set reminders in fall and spring |
| Post-graduation | NHSC Loan Repayment, IHS, SLRP, PSLF | Graduating / Residency | Apply during final year or residency; confirm eligible practice site before committing |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Are ACOM’s institutional scholarships automatically awarded at admission?
No — unlike many undergraduate programs, ACOM scholarships are awarded competitively and require separate applications. Admission does not automatically trigger scholarship consideration. You must apply through the annual scholarship packet or program-specific process for each award.
Can I hold a military HPSP scholarship and an ACOM institutional scholarship at the same time?
Generally no — students with existing service obligations may be ineligible for other institutional awards that would conflict with that commitment. Disclose all funding sources to both ACOM’s Financial Aid Office and your military branch recruiter before accepting any award.
What GPA do I need to be competitive for ACOM scholarships?
The Walter Scott Foundation Scholarship requires a minimum 3.3 GPA for third-year students. The Rural Medicine Scholarship requires a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and an MCAT of 502 or higher. The Fellows Scholars Program is highly selective with no published GPA cutoff, though strong academic standing is expected. Financial need, essays, and commitment to service are equally important factors.
Is ACOM eligible for federal student loans?
Yes — ACOM is a Federal Student Aid participant. Graduate PLUS Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available for eligible students. ACOM will begin generating financial aid offers in late spring/early summer each year. Contact the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@acom.edu or (334) 699-2266.
Do I need to be an Alabama resident to apply for ACOM scholarships?
The Rural Medicine Scholarship and Alabama state programs require Alabama residency or a commitment to practice in Alabama. The Walter Scott Foundation Scholarship, Fellows Program, military awards, and national association scholarships are generally open regardless of state of origin. Always verify current eligibility requirements directly with the awarding body before applying.
How do I contact ACOM’s Financial Aid Office?
Email financialaid@acom.edu, call (334) 699-2266, or visit the office at 445 Health Sciences Blvd., Dothan, AL 36303. The 2025–2026 Student Financial Aid Guide is available at acom.edu/student-financial-aid-guide-25-26.
Ready to Fund Your Path to D.O.?
Start with your AACOMAS application, complete the FAFSA, and monitor ACOM’s scholarship portal each spring. For more medical school and college financial aid guides, visit AmericanColleges.io.
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