CMS now accepting applications for the Education Foundation Rural Track Scholarship
Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Each year, the Colorado Medical Society Education Foundation (CMSEF) awards medical school scholarships to students who are in good academic standing finishing their first year of a rural medicine track or program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine or the Rocky Vista University School of Osteopathic Medicine. This year, the Foundation expects to award $20,000 in scholarship funds to four to six deserving students.

Interested students who meet eligibility requirements should submit an essay that addresses the criteria below. It is not expected that eligible candidates will meet all of the criteria. Successful candidates will have written the best essays as determined by an awards committee of the Foundation.

Each essay (limited to 500 words) should include the name of the applicant and the medical student rural medicine track or program in which they are enrolled. Eligibility requirements will be confirmed by each school. 

All essays should be emailed to kate_alfano@cms.org and are due no later than Monday, April 3, 2023, with the email subject line “CMSEF rural track scholarship application – [name]”.

Scholarship Eligibility and Criteria

  1. Eligibility: A medical student in good academic standing finishing their first year of a rural medicine track or program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine or Rocky Vista University School of Osteopathic Medicine.
  2. An application by essay (limited to 500 words) is to be received by CMSEF in April of each year with scholarships to be awarded by June 1. Favorable elements of that essay shall best include:  
    1. Establishment of reasons for entering the rural track or program. 
    2. Establishment of why rural medicine is the best choice for the applicant. 
    3. Reasons convincing the committee the applicant will practice in rural Colorado.
  3. Additional evaluation criteria and other tangible assets for consideration by the committee.  
    1. Graduated from high school in a rural county in Colorado.
    2. Currently a legal resident of Colorado.
    3. Has clear intent to practice in a specific rural community in Colorado. 
    4. Has social or family ties to a specific rural community in Colorado.
    5. Demonstrated experience of engagement in humanitarian service.

Categories: Students