West Virginia University Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center Development

Scholarships

Financial Needs of Medical Students

Students in medical school have a lot of think about. On top of a difficult curriculum, the average MD student graduating from WVU has to repay $135,008.00 in student loans. Here are some fast facts about the financial situation students face:

~ WVU School of Medicine tuition has doubled in less than 10 years.

~ In–state tuition & fees for the 2008–2009 academic year were $20,164. Cost of attendance (living expenses, books, etc.) adds approximately $16,000/year.

~ Out–of–state WVU medical students pay $43,960. Cost of attendance (living expenses, books, etc.) adds approximately $16,000/year.

~ 91% of WVU medical students receive some form of financial aid, 89% in the form of student loans.

~ Last year’s tuition needs for out–of–state students were $5,400,714, while tuition needs for in–state students were $5,549,956.

~ In 2007– 2008, the WVU School of Medicine awarded and disbursed $14,948,502 in aid. $713,808 was awarded in school–funded scholarships (4%). WVU medical students borrowed $13,216,015 this year alone. Out of the 418 students in the MD Program, 382 received some type of assistance.

How you can help

Sponsoring a Scholarship

In the face of rising tuition and fees, scholarships make it possible for the WVU School of Medicine to offer enrollment to qualified students regardless of their financial means. It is imperative that we recruit and retain the brightest year after year. Partial scholarships can be endowed and named with a minimum gift of $50,000. Scholarships can support Medical Students (MD) or students in our Professional Programs, including Exercise Physiology, Medical Technology, Occupational Therapy, Public Health, Physical Therapy and the Pathologist’s Assistant Program.

Equally important are graduate fellowships which help the WVU School of Medicine compete for the best students entering advanced study year after year.

High caliber students promote a first–rate teaching school, where academics, research and clinical care thrive.

For information about starting an endowed scholarship, please contact Mimi Wilson, Director of Development for Leadership Gifts, 304–293–3980, mwilson@hsc.wvu.edu

Mountaineer Mentor

WVU is offering a special, more intimate scholarship program called Mountaineer Mentor.

Mountaineer Mentors provide annual scholarship assistance to qualifying medical students over a four–year period. An annual scholarship gift of $5,000 or more to a medical student will help defray the financial burden many face upon graduation. You can choose to name your scholarship in honor of a special classmate, former teacher, friend or family member.

By establishing a benefactor–student dialogue, a Mountaineer Mentor can provide advice and support to the student, lending real–world experience to their medical education.

Mountaineer Mentors help WVU compete with other medical schools to recruit the best students and help reduce student debt. With the increase in enrollment and increases in tuition, the need for scholarship assistance is critical to meet the growing demand for financial aid.

Become a Mountaineer Mentor today and receive a special lapel pin given to only Mountaineer Mentors – wear it with pride knowing you are helping great students become great doctors.

For more information on how you can become a Mountaineer Mentor, contact the development office at 304–293–3980

West Virginia University