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Top Dental School Scholarships in 2022
Students pursuing dentistry have a wide variety of profitable careers to choose from, but are typically required to go to dental school before getting their dream jobs. Dental school costs can be high, however, and students looking to offset the costs may benefit from dental school scholarships.
Jump ahead to:
- Top dental school scholarships
- Dental school resources
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary of dental school scholarships
- Upcoming scholarships
- Explore these other scholarship categories
Whether you want to be a dentist, a dental hygienist, a dental assistant, or something else within the field, keep on reading to find out the best dental school scholarships for you!
Top dental school scholarships
Indian Health Services Scholarships
- Eligibility: Members of American Indian tribes or Alaska Native villages who are highschool graduates with a minimum 2.0 GPA. Applicants should plan on completing a health profession degree program and intend to serve Indigenous peoples
- Amount: Monthly stipend + one-time payment for educational costs
- Deadline: February 28, 2022
Chinese American Medical Society Scholarship
- Eligibility: First, second, and third-year medical or dental students at a school within the U.S. Applicants must also be current or pending CAMS members
- Deadline: March 31, 2022
American Dental Hygenists’ Association Scholarships
- Eligibility: Dental hygiene students or dental hygienists committed to the discipline of dental hygiene
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Varies from November 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022
1Dental Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors, undergraduate students, or graduate students who are U.S. residents
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: May 31, 2022
Dental school resources
American Dental Education Association
The American Dental Education Association is a national association which trains dentists and helps shape the standard of dental education. You can look at their materials to get an idea of what you will learn in dental school and how the profession is changing with the times.
American Dental Association’s CODA School Finder
The American Dental Association, whose seal you see on most tubes of toothpaste, has an online tool to help match you with schools and find dental education – related resources. They accredit dental programs and provide thorough assessments of each program to help you make an educated choice.
Frequently asked questions about dental school scholarships
What GPA should I have to get into dental school?
GPA is an important factor in getting into dental school. Generally, the higher your GPA, the better. While the average undergraduate GPA for students admitted into dental school is around 3.5, there is no set minimum GPA needed for admission into dental school, as all schools differ.
Also see: Complete guide to GPA:
How do I borrow money for dental school?
Great question! Students can borrow money for dental school the same way they did for undergrad, applying for Federal Loans through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Alternatively, students can apply for private loans or Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Loans.
See Also: Financial aid for graduate or professional students
Can I use the Pell Grant for dental school?
The Pell Grant is only for undergraduate studies, so you cannot use it for dental school. However, you may be able to take advantage of federal loan opportunities.
Do I have to attend undergraduate school before dental school?
Yes, you need an undergraduate degree before going to dental school. You don’t necessarily need to obtain a degree in a dental-related field, but you will need a degree in order to gain admittance to dental school.
Summary of dental school scholarships
- Indian Health Services Scholarships
- Chinese American Medical Society Scholarship
- American Dental Hygenists’ Association Scholarships
- 1Dental Scholarship
Upcoming dental school scholarships
Armenian American Medical Society Scholarship
- Eligibility: Armenian students enrolled in a U.S. dental, medical, pharmacy, or other professional healthcare school
- Amount: Varies
Hispanic Dental Association Foundation Scholarships
- Eligibility: Members of the Hispanic Dental Association or Hispanic Student Dental Association who have been accepted or are enrolled full-time in a residency or dental program (varies by scholarship)
- Amount: Up to $5,000 + attendance at the HSDA Regional Conference
National Health Service Corps Scholarship
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are (or will be) full-time students in the upcoming school year at an accredited school or program in the U.S. or its territories. Must be pursuing dentistry or another primary care specialty and be able to work in exchange for awards
- Amount: Payment of tuition + eligible fees + monthly stipends for living expenses + annual payment for other educational costs (payments can be received up to four years)
ADEA/Crest-B Scholarship for Dental Hygiene Students
- Eligibility: ADEA members enrolled in baccalaureate or graduate degree programs at an ADEA member institution. Applicants must be studying dental hygiene
- Amount: $3,000
ADEA/Crest-B Scholarship for Predoctoral Dental Students
- Eligibility: ADEA members enrolled in predoctoral programs at ADEA member institutions. Applicants should be committed to pursuing a career in dental education
- Amount: $5,000
