Faculty of Medecine Social Accountability Pre-Med Bursary for Students of Low Socio-Economic Status

Award offered by the Faculty of Medecine

Award Overview

Value of the award:
Maximum $5,000
per term, with peer to peer mentoring with an MD Program LSES student and for a maximum of seven renewed terms
Number of awards:
4
Award frequency:
Annual
Level or program of study:
Undergraduate
Application Type:
Online Scholarship and Bursaries portal, accessible via uoZone.
Application Deadline:
April 1
Renewable:
Yes

Purpose of this Award

This goal of the Faculty of Medicine LSES MD program is to make medical school more accessible to applicants coming from homes with limited financial resources. By improving equity for future LSES MD program applicants, we will better serve our diverse Canadian patient population.

Eligibility Criteria

The candidate must:

  1. be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident
  2. be admitted as a full-time student in an undergraduate program in an entry faculty at the University of Ottawa
  3. have an admission average of at least 85%
  4. want to pursue studies in the MD Program at the University of Ottawa
  5. complete the prerequisite courses for admission into the MD Program during their undergraduate studies
  6. have had a yearly total family household pre-tax income (at the time they were in Grade 11 and 12) equal to or less than $60,000 as per Canada Revenue Agency data
Note: (line 150 on the income tax return) is for each parent (including step-parents the applicant currently lives with (or lived with before moving)
Applicants must calculate their average gross family income at the time they were in Grade 11 and Grade 12. The accompanying financial documentation, each family household member’s notice of assessment issued by the CRA for that period, must be provided along with the bursary application. Notices of assessment can be obtained through the CRA.
RENEWAL CRITERIA

This bursary can be renewed for three years following the recipient’s first year of study provided he or she:

1. maintains full-time registration in a direct-entry faculty

2. has a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 8.5 or higher at the end of each academic year

Note: This bursary can be renewed at 50% of its annual value if the recipient has a CGPA between 8.0 and 8.49 at the end of his or her academic year. Furthermore, the bursary can be renewed for the full amount in a subsequent year if the recipient’s CGPA increases to 8.5 or higher. If the recipient temporarily interrupts his or her studies, or enrols part time or as a special student, this bursary will be revoked for the rest of the recipient’s studies.

How to Apply

Submitted in the Online Scholarship and Bursaries portal, accessible via uoZone, and must include:

  1. a letter from a professor
  2. a letter from a non-academic source such as an employer (work, community service)
  3. a letter from a referee selected by the applicant who is not a family member
  4. a 500-word essay from the applicant detailing why he or she wants to become a doctor
  5. an unofficial high school or college transcript
  6. copies of tax returns for one or both of the applicant’s parents (see “Eligibility Criteria” point 6)
Note (points 1 to 3) : These individuals must have an extensive personal knowledge of the applicant’s communication and problem-solving skills, professionalism, empathy, character, personal qualities and academic capabilities.