Scholarship and Grant Opportunities for Medical Assistants
Becoming a medical assistant doesn’t require you to get a college degree, but going through a diploma or associate’s degree program can definitely help increase your chances of getting the job you want. You’ll also earn a higher salary if you have more education, at least in most cases. Luckily, scholarships and grants are both available to help students interested in medical assistant programs. There’s no need to pay for all of your tuition and related expenses out of pocket!
Types of Financial Aid
Scholarships and grants are very similar in that you don’t have to repay this money after you graduate, but the two terms can’t be used interchangeably. Scholarships are typically given to students based on merit or achievement. Some scholarships, for example, are given to those with high grades or SAT scores, while others are made available to students who show sports or artistic skill. You can also earn scholarships for medical assistant programs by participating in scholarship essay writing contests, where you’ll be asked to present an essay based on a topic given to you, usually about your education goals or struggles you’ve overcome in the past. Grants, on the other hand, are given to students who can prove financial need. Merit may come into play as well, but most grant programs are specifically available to students who may not otherwise be able to afford the cost of college.
Where to Find Medical Assistant Scholarships and Grants
Your college of choice probably has a number of scholarships and grants available to students, but on top of the money they give you for school, you can also turn to outside organizations for help. General scholarships and grants are available to all students, regardless of field of study, though these programs tend to have more competition. The government may also be able to help. Through programs like the Pell Grant, they award money to make college possible to students. Groups, companies, and organizations can also help you earn your degree. Some that have offered scholarships and grants in the past include the following:
- American Medical Technologists
- American Association of Medical Assistants
- Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology
- American Dental Assistants Association
- Massachusetts Society of Medical Assistants
Make sure you attend an accredited program so you qualify for these scholarships and grants.
Guide to Medical Assistant Colleges
Below are links to the top online medical assisting degrees. Use the links next to the school to request free information about the programs it offers. If you are considering in enrolling in an online medical assisting program, please request information from at least four different colleges as each program has differences that are best explained by the schools themselves.
BA in Health Services Administration
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Baker College — A BA in Health Services Administration teaches you how to perform important clerical functions, communicate with coworkers and patients, and meet the vigorous demands in environments like hospitals and health clinics. Baker College offers an excellent program that will put you on the path to earn this degree promising to open up many doors to you with healthcare companies. |
AS in Medical Assisting
AS in Health Information Management
AS in Medical Billing and Coding
AS in Medical Office Administration
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Herzing University — If you are looking for a well-respected school with a range of programs offered in the health care industry, Herzing University may be the right choice for you. Herzing University offers AS degrees in Medical Assisting, Health Information Management, Medical Billing and Coding, and Medical Office Administration. These programs teach you the foundation necessary to continue on to a bachelor's degree should you choose to continue your schooling. |
AAS in Medical Assisting
AAS in Health IT
AAS in Medical Office Management
AAS in Medical Office Transcription
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Kaplan University — You can earn an exciting degree in various health care disciplines at Kaplan University. Programs offered include an AAS in Medical Assisting, Health IT, Medical Office Management, and Medical Office Transcription. The programs enable you to assist physicians, communicate professionally, and perform key functions in health care facility and lab settings. |
AS Degree in Medical Assisting
AS Degree in Health Services
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Keiser University — Keiser University is a prominent school that offers AS degrees in medical assisting and Health Services. A degree in medical assisting enables you communicate with and assist physicians in their daily activities. The degree in AS Health Services teaches you the skills necessary to work in different health care settings ranging from hospitals to health clinics giving you the ability to meet the health care needs of those you serve. |
AAS in Medical Assisting
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Bryant & Stratton College — An AAS in Medical Assisting teaches you the skills necessary for ambulatory settings and the clinical duties that are associated with this demanding field. Bryant & Stratton College has an excellent program offering this degree helping you remain competitive and giving you the skills that employers are looking for. Students in this program participate in active classroom and laboratory settings simulating real world environments. |
AAS in Health Information Technology
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Carrington College — Carrington College offers an AAS in Health Information Technology. This degree teaches you how to perform medical coding, process medical and insurance billing claims, perform clerical functions, and how to communicate with other health care professionals and patients. Successful candidates in this program can find employment in hospitals, medical offices, and insurance companies. |
ABA in Healthcare Administration
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Ivy Bridge College — If you would like to be able to meet the vigorous demands of healthcare professionals, an ABA in Healthcare Administration from Ivy Bridge College may be a great choice for you. This program teaches you to communicate in a professional manner using technical healthcare terminology, assist physicians and other health care professionals, and perform key functions in healthcare facilities. |
AS in Healthcare Administration
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California Coast University — California Coast University gives its students the vital skills employers are looking for in the healthcare industry. The AS in Healthcare Administration program is a broad encompassing program preparing students for jobs in a variety of healthcare settings and giving the framework needed for those wishing to pursue a bachelor's degree. |
AS in Medical Office Administration
BS in Health Services Management
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Virginia College — The healthcare industry is a promising field in high demands by many great employers. Virginia College offers two degrees designed to give graduates a competitive edge in filling these positions. The school offers an AS degree in Medical Office Administration and BS in Health Services Management. These programs teach students the skills necessary to work in a wide range of settings including medical labs and hospitals. |
BBA in Health Services Administration
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Strayer University — Strayer University is widely respected for its top tier degree programs that prepare students for the vigorous demands of the healthcare industry. The BBA degree in Health Services Administration gives students the knowledge and skills needed to perform vital front office functions like medical coding and processing insurance billing claims. |
AAS in Medical Administration
AAS in Health IT
AAS in Human Services
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Rasmussen College — Rasmussen College offers a plethora of degrees in the medical industry. Program offerings include an AAS in Medical Administration, Health IT, and Human Services. The programs teach you how to operate in settings like hospitals and clinics, perform medical coding and insurance claim billing, and how to effectively communicate and meet the demands of patients. |
AS in Medical Administration Assisting
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Fortis College — An AS in Medical Administration Assisting teaches you how perform specialized functions like medical word processing, being a medical secretary, providing important services to a physician as an administrative assistant, and working as a medical transcriptionist. Fortis College offers an excellent program enabling students to perform these important functions once the degree had been completed. |
AS in Healthcare Administration
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Brookline College — If you would like a broad degree opening up doors for a wide range of companies in the healthcare industry, an AS in Healthcare Administration may be an excellent program for you. This degree gives you the ability to work in hospitals, medical labs, and private healthcare clinics. You can earn this rewarding degree from Brookline College which is known for their quality education and stellar teachers. |
AS in Clinical Medical Assisting
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San Joaquin Valley College — San Joaquin Valley College offers the AS in Clinical Medical Assisting degree. This program teaches you injection administration, CPR and first aid, how to assist in minor surgery, perform basic lab tests, and complete front office procedures. This program helps open up doors in prominent companies in the healthcare industry leading graduates to a rewarding career. |
AS Degree in Health Administration
AS Degree in Human Services
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Iowa Central College — Iowa Central College offers two excellent degrees in the healthcare industry which are in Health Administration and Human Services. These degrees teach students the skills necessary to perform vital front office functions in hospitals and other health care settings as well as how to effectively communicate with patients enabling you to assist in servicing their healthcare needs. |















