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Medical School Scholarships

Scholarships, which do not have to be repaid under most circumstances, are the preferred way to pay for a medical education at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

University Scholarship Requirements

Federal regulations require schools to establish a set cost of attendance for a specific cohort of students. The cost of attendance sets the limit of all types of aid, scholarships, grants and loans you can receive for a set period of time. Because grants and scholarships, which do not have to be repaid, are preferable to loans, which do, loans are reduced when you receive aid that will exceed your cost of attendance.

We encourage all students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) beginning Oct. 1, before applying for SLU School of Medicine scholarships. 

Award notifications of scholarships and other financial aid awards will be sent in mid-March.

Private Scholarship Search Engine

The Saint Louis University private scholarship search engine was designed to assist you in locating private scholarships and funding sources. It is your responsibility to notify the Office of Student Financial Services of all outside awards.

If you receive a private scholarship check made out to yourself, bring it to Caroline Building, Room 120, for proper posting to your student account. Your Banner ID should always be included on any check that is sent to the University. Send all private scholarship checks to:

Saint Louis University
Office of Student Financial Services
Attn: Mary Walley
Caroline Building, Room 120
1402 S. Grand Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63104

Use the Scholarship Search Engine

For more private scholarship searches, you can try a google search or explore the following search engines, finaid.org’s scholarship page or Fastweb’s Scholarship Directories. These searches that provide students the ability to view scholarships by category, school year, ethnicity and other unique situations:

  • FastWeb: Up to $3 billion in scholarships 
  • Finaid: This award-winning site has grown into the most comprehensive source of student financial aid information, advice and tools — on or off the web.
  • Sallie Mae Graduate Scholarship Search: Register for free access to 950,000-plus scholarships worth up to $1 billion in graduate scholarships. Registered students are automatically entered in a monthly $1,000 sweepstakes drawing.

Highlighted Scholarships

University Scholarships

We assist in identifying and providing resources to meet the costs associated with our standard student budget. This would include scholarships and/or federal loans. To be considered for federal loans, we suggest students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To be considered for scholarships, students would need to complete a separate application. Upon acceptance, students would be provided with steps to apply for three Pathway specific scholarships. Scholarships are renewable pending satisfactory academic progress up to four years. The specific scholarship opportunities are listed below:

  • The Fleur de Lis Scholarship – Merit-based scholarship for students from the St. Louis area (within 100-mile radius) attending SLU SOM.
  • The Magis Scholarship – Service-based scholarship for students attending SLU SOM who excel in service to others.
  • The Cura Personalis Scholarship – Need-based and Merit-based scholarship for students attending SLU SOM.  Students must complete a FAFSA for eligibility for the Cura Personalis Scholarship. 
The Everett M. Sugarbaker School of Medicine Scholarship Program

Fourth-year medical students who plan to devote a period of time serving primary health care needs for people in less developed countries can apply for the Everett M. Sugarbaker Scholarship Program.

The scholarship, established by the Everett D. and Geneva V. Sugarbaker Foundation, supports the foundation's mission of providing primary health care for people in developing countries. Everett M. Sugarbaker was a Saint Louis University medical student who was dedicated to serving the needs of others and providing medical care. The scholarship was established in his memory to ensure his mission continues at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

Scholarship awards are up to $2,000. The award will reimburse your allowable expenses.

Applying for the Scholarship

To apply, submit the scholarship application, providing the specifics about the elective you have chosen, why you would like to participate in it, your goals for your international learning opportunity and how you plan to achieve them. Include an estimated budget for the trip. Allowable expenses include travel, lodging, food, vaccinations, etc.

The application is due in late September. A decision on the scholarship is announced by mid-October.

Application coming soon. 

Dr. Tom Dooley Memorial International Elective Scholarship Program

The Dr. Tom Dooley Memorial International Elective Scholarship Program was established to help defray travel expenses for fourth-year medical students participating in an international externship. The intent of the fund is to inspire students to follow the footsteps of Dr. Tom Dooley, (Med. '53) in caring for thousands of refugees in Southeast Asia.

This scholarship program exists as a memorial to Dooley and his commitment by providing an opportunity for medical students to enhance their understanding of medicine in a less developed and underprivileged country. An international elective allows students the chance to broaden their clinical skills and judgment in a setting unlike the U.S. health care delivery and training system, as well as achieving personal growth and enrichment through close contact with another culture.

The scholarship will be awarded to selected students in an amount yet to be determined for this year and is awarded at the completion of the elective.

Eligibility

  • You must be in good academic standing and interested in administering to the poor and disadvantaged.
  • The externship must be in a less developed country.
  • The externship must be for at least three weeks. Preference will be given to longer externships (e.g., six weeks).
  • An essay and a transcript must be submitted at the time of application.

2020-2021 Dooley Application and Post-Elective Report Guidelines (coming soon)

Completed applications should be submitted as early as possible. A decision on the scholarship is announced by the end of October.

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program

The National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program is a competitive federal award made in return for a service commitment. There is one year of commitment for each year of support up to four years with a two-year minimum. The scholarship is open to U.S. citizens who are full-time enrolled or accepted to an accredited U.S. health professions school.

The scholarship award covers full tuition and fees, reasonable educational expenses and a monthly stipend. Recipients are expected to complete residency programs in one of the following areas:

  • Family practice
  • General pediatrics
  • General internal medicine
  • Internal medicine/pediatrics
  • Internal medicine/Family practice
  • Obstetrics/gynecology
  • General psychiatry
  • Geriatrics

Failure to meet the NHSC service commitment will result in triple payback of the amount of scholarship payments received, plus interest. Payback is required in full within one year of the breach of contract. Defaulting on scholarship debt may lead to federal prosecution and loss of practice license in some states. Due to the strict penalties of this scholarship, we strongly suggest that interested students refer to the Applicant Information Bulletin (AIB) for complete program guidelines or contact the Student Financial Services Office.

Other programs offered by the National Health Service Corps include:

Refer to the AIB for application materials and complete program guidelines. The online application and other supporting documents are available on the NHSC AIB website. To register to be notified by email of when the application will be available, visit https://www.nhsc.hrsa.gov/scholarships. For information about these other programs visit the NHSC website, email gethelp@hrsa.gov or call 800- 221-9393.

Armed Forces Scholarships

The Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarships and Armed Forces Reserve Programs (Navy, Air Force or Army) are programs that support students who are commissioned in one of the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen enrolled in medical school, with a maximum age of 35 for the Army and 42 for the Navy and Air Force. The age requirements may be waived depending on the individual and experience.

The scholarship includes payment of tuition by the armed service to SLU, a sign on bonus (for select applicants), a stipend of $2,391.60 per month (between ten and 11 months per year) while you are not on active duty, as well as reimbursement for required books, supplies and your personal health care coverage. Recipients also receive, as part of the benefits package, a 20 year non-contributory retirement plan.

Obligation

One year of service is required for each year of support with a minimum of three years of service in the Air Force and two years of service for all other branches after graduation.

For more information on the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program for both active and reserve duty, contact the following individuals:

  • Air Force
    MSgt. Eric Mackay, Health Professions Recruiter, 405-305-4924 or eric.mackay@us.af.mil, www.airforce.com/healthcare
  • Army
    SFC Zachary Cunningham, Center Leader, 314-878-7286 or SSG Raynold Thomas, 314-405-0458 or raynald.d.thomas.mil@mail.mil, St. Louis Medical Recruiting Center
  • Navy
    Lt. Omega McNeese-Haliburton, Medical Officer Programs Recruiter, Navy Recruiting District St. Louis
    314-943-2050 or omega.mcneesehalibur@navy.mil