Special Needs Programs
The University of Michigan Medical School has limited funds available for special financial needs of students, over and above the standard budgeted expenses, including (1) Emergency Grants, (2) Research Funds, (3) Travel Awards, and (4) Scholastic Enhancement Awards. Details about the available funds, eligibility criteria, the application process, and the review process are provided below. Any questions, comments or concerns relating to the Special Needs Program should be directed to the Medical School Financial Aid Office.
Applications for the Special Needs Program are available on the Financial Aid website at http://www.med.umich.edu/medschool/financialaid/forms/special.pdf
In order to be considered eligible for Special Needs funds, students must first have submitted a financial aid application for the year in which funds are being requested. Students are required to provide parental information on financial forms for eligibility determination. Information provided on the financial aid forms will assist us in determining eligibility for special needs funds in the form of grants and/or loans.
The Director of Financial Aid will review submitted applications on a rolling basis. Applications should be submitted complete with all appropriate documentation attached to be considered. Applicants will be notified of decisions by electronic mail.
Funds are awarded on a first come first served basis.
Deadlines will be strictly adhered to.
I. Emergency Grants
The University of Michigan Medical School realizes that unanticipated and unexpected expenses (family emergencies, medical expenses, etc.) do arise and therefore has allocated funds for such situations. All students currently matriculated in the Medical School may apply to the Special Needs Program for funding toward such special needs and circumstances.
A. Guidelines for Emergency Funds
Consideration for emergency funds will be based on:
- urgency of the request;
- circumstances upon which the request is based;
- adequate documentation;
- financial need, as reflected in the student's financial aid assessment; and
- amount of the request.
The School will not allow double funding for expenses previously funded through financial aid or other documented sources. All requests for Special Needs funds under this category are to be submitted with the original documentation (i.e., receipts, bills, statements, etc.) to the Financial Aid Office. Original receipts must be submitted in the application materials. Copies of receipts, etc., will not be accepted as documentation. If original receipts are required for any other purpose, the submitted original document will be returned after a copy is made by a member of the Financial Aid Office staff.
B. Uninsured Medical and Dental Expenses
The School will consider requests for necessary uninsured medical and/or dental expenses. Proper documentation must accompany the application. The medical necessity for the treatment or medical service received must also be documented. An accompanying letter from the health care provider administering the treatment or medical service in question can most often accomplish this. The maximum amount for consideration is $1,000 per individual per academic year. Only documented expenses over and above the financial aid guideline budget allowance will be considered for funding. This maximum amount will be adhered to unless an unusual individual circumstance is believed to warrant otherwise. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that students save all receipts or bill statements for all medical and dental expenses for the year.
II. Research Funds
A. Research Fellowship Award
All students are encouraged to participate in the many research opportunities available both on and off the medical school campus. Students interested in obtaining funding should contact the Office of Student Biomedical Research Programs (OSBRP) directly. If funds are not available through OSBRP, students should check with the Financial Aid Office for possible availability of funding through the Special Needs Program.
Students interested in international experiences should contact the International Institute for additional sources of funding.
B. Research Presentation Travel Award
Students who are accepted to present an original clinical or basic science research paper at a regional, national or international meeting will be considered for a Special Needs research travel award upon submission of an application for such funding. Students must first apply for assistance through the Student Biomedical Research Programs (SBRP). If funding is unavailable through SBRP, Special Needs application will be considered. Only one application for this type of request will be offered in the form of a grant (if eligible) per year.
Expenses incurred (up to a maximum of $500) as a result of making the presentation will be eligible for consideration for funding provided they can be properly documented. The letter of acceptance and/or invitation to participate in the meeting is required with the application. The application should include an accurate assessment or reasonable estimate of expected expenses if an advance award is required by the student. Appropriate documentation of the expenses incurred will be necessary at the time the student's formal application is submitted.
III. Travel Awards
A. Conference Travel
Students electing to attend conferences without making a presentation will be eligible to apply for loan funds to cover the cost of travel, up to $500 maximum. Students wishing to apply for loan funds must submit a Special Needs Application. The application must include documented expenses.
B
. M4 Individually Arranged Clerkships (Domestic and International) -
Deadline - December 1 of M4 year
Recognizing the value of a broad clinical experience, funding has been made available to help defray the expenses incurred during an approved rotation or clerkship away from the University of Michigan and its affiliated hospitals. To apply for such funds, the student is required to include the letter of invitation and/or acceptance with the Special Needs application. In addition, a brief rationale or statement for wishing to participate in the particular clerkship must be included with the application. The clerkship must be approved for credit.
The guidelines for funding of approved domestic clerkships (Continental USA) will be up to a maximum of $500 and for approved international clerkships will be up to a maximum of $1000. Only one domestic and one international clerkship will be funded with proper documentation per student. Adequate documentation of expenses for which funding is being requested is necessary. In the event that an advance award is necessary, it will be granted based on the student's estimates of anticipated expenses. The student would then have to submit the actual documentation of funds spent during the clerkship within four weeks of his/her return to the medical school campus.
C. Humanitarian Outreach/Medical Relief Mission
Students choosing to participate in humanitarian outreach or medical relief mission work, including alternative breaks, will be eligible to apply for funding to assist with the costs associated with their participation.
Long term loan funds only are available up to a maximum of $500. Documentation of the cost (such as airfare, accommodations, food) as well as a description of the program must be included with the application. Because only loan funds can be offered through Special Needs for this type of request, it is recommended that students also check with Global REACH for any eligibility
IV. Scholastic Enhancement Award
A. Supplementary
Special Needs funds have been targeted to help defray expenses incurred by students requiring supplemental course work (i.e., repetition of a course during the summer and/or completion of course work away from the University). Funding priority is given to tuition, room and board and registration fees. Award may be a combination of loan and grant funds.
B. Complementary
Students requiring funding for administratively mandated USMLE Step I and Step II review courses (i.e., Stanley Kaplan) will be considered for reimbursement of course tuition and/or registration. This request must be made in conjunction with the Office of Student Programs. Award may be a combination of loan and grant funds.
