According to the most recent data from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), pharmacy school alums have an average debt load of $173,561. That's a big amount of money.

If you’re hoping to go through pharmacy school and begin a career as a pharmacist, getting scholarships can help you reduce how much you owe. You can get through pharmacy school with less debt by applying for one of the scholarships listed here.

Scholarships for 7 Future Pharmacists

If you’re trying to find a scholarship for pharmacy students, several options exist. Funding opportunities in the field of pharmacy are listed below.

Supporting Pharmaceutical Education in the United States (AFPE)

The AFPE provides several financial aid opportunities to encourage and support future pharmacists. This is one potential avenue to explore if you seek financial aid for school at no cost. Because of the wide variety of application requirements and submission dates among available programs, it is essential to examine each separately. But here are some ways to earn some additional cash:

Pharmaceutical Research Foundation Pre-Doctoral Fellowship

Regional Award for AFP

ASHP-AFPE Doctoral Fellowship

Herb and Nina Demuth Memorial Award for Pre-Doctoral Study in Pharmaceutics Named in Honor of Dr. Paul B. Myrdal

Scholarship for Kappa Epsilon, American Fellowship for Political and Educational Equality

First-Year AFPE Graduate School Fellowship (Phi Lambda Sigma)

Rho Chi — AFPE First Year Graduate School Fellowship

Award for Members of Under-Represented Groups at Major Institutions

The William M. Heller Award for Outstanding Mentoring

The grant from the Summer Research Exchange Mentorship Program of the AACP and the SAS Section

This program may interest you if you are a pharmacy student looking for a scholarship that is more research-oriented than others. It's a chance to do summer research with a host mentor while earning $2,500. You can earn some extra cash and acquire marketable skills that will serve you well in your professional life.

Student Scholarship Program of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation

Several universities host local chapters of this industry group. It provides financial aid to pharmacy students who have been enrolled for at least a year and are involved with their regional APhA chapter. It is important to check the scholarship's requirements before applying. Assistance in the form of scholarships includes

Scholarship in Honor of George F. Archambault

Awarding the Paul Pumian Scholarship

Gibson, Robert D. Scholarship

Award Named After Tery Baskin

Grants in Honor of Theodore G. Tong

Academic Award Named for Charles C. Thomas

Grants from the Boyle Family

Grant in Honor of Juan and Esperanza Luna

M. Munson Runge, Mary Scholarship

Awarded annually by the presidents of the APhA-ASP chapters of Hamilton, Harris, and Tucker

Funded by the John A. Gans Award

Scholarship in Honor of Gloria Francke

Funded by the Colonel Jerry W. Ross Scholarship

Scholarship from the APhA Foundation

Awards for Outstanding Community Pharmacists

Scholarships from the National Community Pharmacists Association

The NCPA, like other trade groups, offers financial aid to its members in the form of scholarship opportunities for pharmacy school. Again, the eligibility and application criteria for these programs can vary widely. Research each option thoroughly to find the best one that suits your needs.

Scholarship for Pharmaceutical Industry Partners from the President of the United States

The Willard B. Simmons Pharmacy Management Award

Scholarship in Honor of J.C. and Rheba Cobb for Academic Excellence in Public Service

Entrepreneurship Scholarship in Memory of Neil Pruitt St.

An Award for Student Leadership from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)

To be considered for the student leadership award, applicants must be a part of this specific industry group of students. Students with a 2.75 GPA or higher who are actively involved in the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and hold a leadership position will be recognized with a $2,000 award. This is another excellent choice to minimize your dependence on student loans.

Award for Minority Students at CVS Health

Minority students, typically underrepresented in pharmacy school, have a great opportunity in this AACP/CVS scholarship program. There are five winners, and each receives a one-time scholarship award of $7,000. Acceptance into or first-year enrollment in a PharmD program is a prerequisite.

Scholarships for the Future of Healthcare with Tylenol

The Tylenol program does not offer pharmacy-specific funding opportunities. Pharmacy students, however, can participate. It would help to be eligible if you had more than a year left in your degree program at an approved college or university. One hundred thirty-five students will each receive either a $5,000 or $10,000 award.