Illinois Podiatric Scholarship Program

Scholarship Sponsored by Illinois Department of Public Health

Scholarship awards are available to a limited number of eligible podiatric medicine students in Illinois. The award provides full tuition, matriculation fees and a living stipend. Scholarship recipients repay the awards by practicing as podiatric physicians in areas of the state determined by the Illinois Department of Public Health (Department) to be designated shortage areas.

Who is eligible for a scholarship?

To be eligible for a scholarship, the podiatric medicine student must be an Illinois resident at the time of application and must be accepted or enrolled in a school located in Illinois and accredited in its field. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and must apply to their school's financial aid department on or before the school's designated application deadline date. The school will be asked to attest to the applicant's good academic standing and financial need.

In selecting award recipients, preference will be shown to applicants meeting the above criteria and demonstrating 1) previous experience with medically underserved populations; 2) financial need; and 3) commitment to practicing in a designated underserved area of Illinois.

How does the scholarship program work?

Scholarship applications will be provided through the financial aid offices of Illinois schools offering credentials for podiatric physicians. Completed applications must be received by the Illinois Department of Public Health, Center for Rural Health, no later than June 30. The Department may interview applicants as part of the selection process. Announcement of the students selected for awards is scheduled for September. Scholarship awards are sent directly to the recipient's school. Recipients will be required to have verification of class enrollment forms completed by their schools prior to receiving payments. The recipients repay the awards by working as podiatric physicians in areas of Illinois that have been determined by the Department to be designated shortage areas.

Deadline

Completed applications for scholarship assistance for the upcoming academic year must be received by the Center for Rural Health no later than June 30.