Medical School Grant Program

Medical School Grant Program

The goal of the Memorial Hospital Medical Student Grant Program is to increase the number of physicians practicing in St. Clair County, Illinois. The program targets students pursuing a medical degree in primary care, orthopedics, and cardiology. However, students planning to practice other specialties within the service area are eligible to apply.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to apply for a grant, a student must be accepted or enrolled in good standing in an allopathic or osteopathic medical school. Students waiting for confirmation of acceptance to medical school also may apply.
 
Grants for tuition, fees and living expenses are available to a limited number of eligible medical students. Grant recipients repay the awards by practicing medicine in the Belleville, Illinois area or a mutually agreed upon within Memorial Hospital’s extended service area.

Grant Application Process

Grant applications may be downloaded here Grant monies may be used toward tuition, fees and living expenses in the amount of $1,000 a month for the first 12 months. In successive years, grant amounts can be increased incrementally not to exceed $1,500 per month in the fourth year. Grant awards are paid directly to the student.

Program Obligations

Grant recipients will enter into a contract with Memorial Hospital to meet conditions of the grant. Failure to meet the terms of the contract will require the recipient to reimburse Memorial Hospital the total amount of the grant over the same time period that financial assistance was provided.

Within 30 days after completing residency training, the grant recipient agrees to establish an office-based practice in St. Clair County, Illinois. Fellowships in a primary care field, generally one year in length after residency, are allowable with prior approval from Memorial Hospital. Time spent in residency or fellowship does not count towards the service obligation. The recipient must practice on a full-time basis, one year for each year grant funds were received. Physicians will be in private practice and not employees of Memorial Hospital.

For evaluation and approval of practice locations, a grant recipient must contact Memorial Hospital prior to entering into a formal agreement with an individual or facility. Practice locations will be approved up to 18 months prior to initiating the service repayment.

Practice Location Details

If an applicant desires to practice in a particular city or county outside of St. Clair County, serious consideration should be given to the importance of this preference before applying for this grant. Selecting a suitable practice location to fulfill an obligation is the responsibility of the grant recipient. Memorial Hospital staff will provide support for a list of area opportunities to the recipient. Included on the list will be the names of local health professionals or other individuals who may be able to answer questions regarding specific areas.

Apply Online Here