How to Pay for PA School

The student loan debt accumulated to attend physician assistant (PA) school can range from $44,800 to upwards of $330,000 based on Student Loan Planner® PA client survey data. Meanwhile, the median annual PA salary is $133,260, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

While those numbers can seem intimidating, student loans aren't the only way to pay for PA school. Scholarships, service-based programs, employer assistance, savings, and family support can all help reduce the amount you need to borrow.

The goal should be to minimize debt whenever possible and preserve repayment and forgiveness options that could save you money after graduation. Here's where to start when exploring ways to pay for PA school.

1. Apply for PA school scholarships and grants

Scholarships and grants should always be your first funding option because they don't need to be repaid.

While PA students generally have fewer scholarship opportunities than some undergraduate students, funding is available if you're willing to do some research.

Potential sources include:

• PA Foundation scholarships
• Scholarships offered directly by your PA program
• State healthcare workforce grants
• Community foundation scholarships
• Healthcare employer-sponsored scholarships

The PA Foundation, for example, has awarded millions of dollars in scholarships to PA students over the years. Many awards are relatively small, but every dollar you receive is one less dollar you'll need to borrow.

PA Foundation scholarship applicants generally must:

• Be a student member of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)
• Attend an Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) accredited program
• Successfully complete at least one term of PA studies and be in good academic standing.
• Be enrolled in PA school during the scholarship application cycle.

Even if scholarships only cover a small portion of your expenses, stacking multiple awards can meaningfully reduce your overall debt burden.

2. Explore service-based funding and loan repayment programs

Several programs help healthcare professionals reduce or eliminate student loan debt in exchange for working in high-need communities after graduation.

National Health Service Corps (NHSC)

The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program helps licensed healthcare providers, including many physician assistants, repay student loans while working in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).

Depending on your service commitment and practice location, the program can provide substantial loan repayment assistance after graduation.

State and rural healthcare repayment programs

Many states operate their own healthcare workforce programs that offer loan repayment assistance to providers who practice in:

• Rural communities
• Medically underserved areas
• Tribal health facilities
• Public health settings
• Correctional facilities

Program requirements and award amounts vary by state, but these opportunities can significantly reduce the amount you ultimately pay toward your education.

If you're open to practicing in an underserved community, researching these programs before you enroll in PA school can help shape your borrowing strategy.

3. Look for employer tuition and student loan assistance

Many healthcare employers now offer education-related benefits to attract and retain providers. Depending on the organization, benefits may include:

• Student loan repayment assistance
• Signing bonuses
• Tuition reimbursement programs
• Retention bonuses tied to educational debt

Large health systems, community health centers, nonprofit hospitals, and government healthcare organizations may all offer some form of educational assistance.

While you typically won't receive these benefits until after graduation, they can play a major role in how much of your student loan balance you ultimately repay out of pocket.

4. Use savings and family support

Using savings to pay for PA school and living expenses is a great way to lower your overall student loan debt. Every dollar you can contribute from savings is one less dollar you'll need to borrow and repay with interest.

Some students also receive assistance from parents, spouses, or other family members to help cover tuition, housing, or living expenses during school.

If you have access to personal savings or family support, consider using those resources strategically to reduce your borrowing needs.

That said, if you think you may pursue Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) after graduation, be careful about replacing federal student loans with informal family loans. In some cases, maintaining federal loan eligibility may create larger long-term savings opportunities.

5. Take out federal student loans strategically

After exhausting scholarships, grants, service-based programs, and personal resources, federal student loans are usually the next best option for funding PA school.

Federal student loans offer benefits that private student loans generally don't, including fixed interest rates, income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, federal hardship protections, and access to loan forgiveness programs.

Most PA students rely on Direct Unsubsidized Loans to help cover educational expenses. Beginning July 1, 2026, new borrowers will be limited to Direct Unsubsidized Loans only, with borrowing capped at $20,500 per year ($100,000 lifetime) for non-professional graduate programs and $50,000 per year ($200,000 lifetime) for professional programs.

The Grad PLUS Loan program will also be discontinued starting July 1, 2026. Existing borrowers are grandfathered into current rules through June 30, 2029, or program completion (whichever is earlier).

Qualifying for PSLF

If you think there's a chance you'll work for a nonprofit hospital, community health center, government agency, or other qualifying public-service employer after graduation, federal loans become even more valuable because they may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Under PSLF, borrowers can receive tax-free forgiveness of their remaining Direct Loan balance after making 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer. If public service is part of your career plans, prioritize federal borrowing before considering private student loans.

6. Get private student loans

Consider taking out private student loans if you believe your salary will be greater than the amount you owe. Otherwise, it does not make sense to assume that much private student loan debt and miss out on the benefits of federal loans.

If there’s any possibility you might work in a PSLF-eligible organization, however, borrow as much as you can through federal student loan programs before taking out private student loans. The last thing you want is to be saddled with $100,000 (or more) of private student loan debt that could have been forgiven through PSLF.

Go the private student loan lenders route if:

• You’ve maxed out your federal student loan options.
• You have a cosigner or excellent credit.
• You’re certain you’re going to work in the private sector (making you ineligible for PSLF).
• You can get lower than 8% interest (the current fixed interest rate for federal Direct Unsubsidized student loans is 8.94% for the 2025-26 academic year).

You can look at lenders like Sallie Mae, College Ave, and more. Be sure to look at repayment options to find the best fit for you.

Related: The Complete PA Private Student Loan Guide

Get help with your PA school student loan strategy

Most PA students use a combination of scholarships, service-based programs, savings and student loans to pay for school.

The goal isn't necessarily to avoid borrowing altogether. Instead, focus on minimizing the amount you need to borrow and understanding how your career plans could affect your repayment options after graduation.

Before accepting student loans, take time to estimate your total borrowing needs, research potential loan repayment programs, and compare your expected debt to your future earning potential as a physician assistant. A little planning before school can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loans.