While medical school debt is a factor for many med students, there are a number of programs that can ease the burden of paying for medical school. Some of these programs are state-based while others are national in scope. There are excellent scholarship and loan repayment/forgiveness opportunities that should be explored to try to minimize the cost of medical school. Bear in mind, however, that many of these programs are tied to service, either in the state that provides the aid or in underserved areas across the country if a national program such as the National Health Service Corps (NHSC).
Some of these scholarships require that the recipients pursue a primary care field, defined by the NHSC as family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, ob-gyn, or psychiatry.  The NHSC application guide provides more detailed information as to the requirements of service. SDN also posted an informative article about the NHSC.  In addition, the different branches of the military (Army, Navy, Air Force) offer scholarships to medical students in return for time devoted to service.

–Liza Thompson, Expert Medical School Admissions Consulting