Financial Aid

US citizen and permanent resident students accepted into the Master of Science in PA Studies Program may be eligible for financial aid.  

General information about and application forms for financial aid are available at the Stanford University Financial Aid website.

Federal financial aid applicants who meet all deadlines and requirements will be considered for the federal Stafford Loan and/or the federal GradPlus Loan.

The Program has limited funding available for students.


Other Aid

The State of California, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the National Health Services Corps offer a number of loan repayment programs which allow PA graduates to repay significant amounts of debt through post-graduate employment in settings serving medically underserved patient populations. Additional information can be found through the Health Resources and Services Administration website. 

The California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development improves healthcare access by providing scholarships, loan repayments, and grants to students, graduates, and institutions providing direct patient care in areas of unmet need. Additional information can be found through the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development website. 

Additional information regarding financial aid, scholarships, and other payback agreements may be obtained from the American Academy of Physician Assistants website.

Additional information regarding post-graduate employment can be obtained through the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development and the National Health Services Corps.


Knight-Hennessy Scholars

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program cultivates and supports a highly-engaged, multidisciplinary and multicultural community of graduate students from across Stanford University, and delivers a diverse collection of educational experiences, preparing graduates to address complex challenges facing the world. Knight-Hennessy Scholars participate in an experiential leadership development program known as the King Global Leadership Program and receive funding for up to three years of graduate study at Stanford. Two applications must be submitted separately; one to Knight-Hennessy, and one to the Stanford graduate degree program by its deadline. Applications for the 2022 cohort are now closed. Application information and deadlines for the 2023 cohort cycle will be updated in June 2022. Visit kh.stanford.edu to learn more and apply.


For Veterans: The Yellow Ribbon Program

Stanford University is proud to take part in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which allows us to make additional funds available for students' educational programs without additional charges to their GI Bill entitlement. Stanford University is committed to honoring all students who receive the full entitlement of the Post 9/11 GI Bill® with a contribution starting at $3,000 per year. The Department of Veterans Affairs will match this amount in addition to the base tuition, fee and living expense allowances for which the student is qualified.

For eligible MSPA students, Stanford's Yellow Ribbon contribution in the 2017-2018 program year was $13,500 per academic year.

All students who are eligible to receive benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill® (or any prior GI Bill) will be certified to the Department of Veterans Affairs by the Office of the University Registrar. In many cases, educational benefits from the GI Bill will not be the sole financial support Stanford may offer, and should be viewed as complementary to our generous aid policies. All GI Bill benefits, including those awarded by the Yellow Ribbon Program, will be coordinated with the need-based aid package that is determined for you by the Stanford Financial Aid Office.

Learn more about Stanford's Yellow Ribbon Program.


DACA and Undocumented Students

Undocumented students are currently not eligible to apply for any federal funding, including FAFSA and work study. However, undocumented students may be eligible for private scholarships, fellowships, grants, and/or loans.  Examples and guidance may be found through DREAMers RoadMap and Golden Door Scholars.  Undocumented students may also be eligible to receive limited Program funding. 

Learn more about Admissions and Financial Aid for undocumented students


Please note that the MSPA Program is a full-time commitment and employment during this time is strongly discouraged.