Tuition & Fees

The following table represents an estimate of a student’s necessary expenses in the School of Medicine. The total of these figures suggests a basic minimum budget of approximately $87,417 for a fourth-year student to $98,112 for a first-year student. These are estimated figures only. Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice.

2022-2023 Estimated Cost of Education

Expense	Amount
Tuition	$65,526
Technology fee	$2,100
First year fees (includes microscope rental, first year only). Sphygmomanometer, ophthalmoscope, otoscope, and other equipment required of each student must conform to rigid standards.	$2,914
Annual cost of books and supplies: first year	$500
Annual cost of books and supplies: second year	$300
Annual cost of books and supplies: third year	$100
Annual cost of books and supplies: fourth year	$200
Rent, board, miscellaneous, and travel: first year (11 mos.)	$27,072
Rent, board, and miscellaneous: second year (13 mos.)	$29,328
Rent, board, and miscellaneous: third year (12 mos.)	$27,072
Rent, board, and miscellaneous: fourth year (8 mos.)	$18,048
Continuing Optional Research Study Fee (per semester). The School of Medicine encourages students to interrupt their studies to pursue approved research that is complementary to the medical curriculum at Duke or elsewhere for no credit. To retain full-time student status for loan deferment purposes, students may seek approval to enroll in the Continuation of Research Study option. Only students eligible to be enrolled at Duke during the applicable time period may participate.	$500

All individuals registered in the Duke University School of Medicine as MD degree candidates are considered to be full-time students if they are registered for a minimum of eight credits each semester. Each student determines the number and types of courses taken with their advisory dean and, when applicable, one or more of the appropriate committees.

Tuition and fees are payable on a semester basis. Students are required to pay full tuition for four years as a requirement for graduation. Tuition rates are determined according to matriculation date and increase yearly at a rate determined by the School of Medicine Finance and Resource Planning Office and approved by the Board of Trustees. Students are charged for no more than the equivalent of four full years of tuition. A student who fulfills the tuition payment obligation but has not completed requirements by the end of the last payment period is not assessed additional tuition during any subsequent terms of enrollment.

Students are eligible for need-based financial aid for the four years of tuition-based enrollment. Extended periods of enrollment are not grant eligible and loans are available only if the student meets certain federal requirements. For additional information, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Failure to pay tuition, complete any academic requirements, or complete a financial aid exit interview will result in a block of a student’s academic transcript. Until all School of Medicine requirements are met, the transcript will not be released for any purpose.

Financial Policies

Office of Admissions Payment Policy for Students Who Do Not Hold US Citizenship or US Resident Status

Each non-US citizen admitted for enrollment at Duke University School of Medicine is eligible to apply for needs-based financial assistance at the time of admission. The application deadline for incoming students is April 1. Financial Aid eligibility is determined for all admitted students that meet the stated deadline, and the student is notified of their eligibility prior to accepting admission into the School. Funds accepted by the student will credit to the student account. The amount disbursed is dependent on the number of terms a student is enrolled. It is the student’s responsibility for paying all required tuition and fees on a semester/term basis.

For questions regarding this policy, contact the Office of the Bursar, or the Duke University School of Medicine Office of Admissions.

Payment of Accounts

Statements for tuition, fees, and other charges are processed by the bursar’s office. All statements are delivered electronically via DukeHub. Fall bills will be due on August 1, and spring bills will be due on the fourth business day in January. Pay by e-check at finance.duke.edu/bursar (click on the Make an e-Check Payment link under the Payment Resources section). If full payment is not received by the stated due date, a late payment penalty charge will be assessed on the subsequent statement.

Check payments can be mailed to Duke University, Cashiering Office, Box 90759, Durham, NC 27708. To ensure prompt credit to your student account, please include a copy of your bill when mailing your payment.

All checks should:

be payable in US dollars to Duke University;
include name and student account number (from bill); and
be from a US financial institution (such as Bank of America) or a US branch of a financial institution (example: the New York City branch of Barclay’s Bank PLC).

Checks will be deposited upon receipt.

Students who are paying from abroad and are unable to send a US dollar check from a US financial institution, or whose bank is unable to provide a check drawn on its US branch, should submit payment by bank wire. Students may submit payment via preferred international providers found by clicking the International Payment icon on the Bursar website. Bank wires take several days to reach the United States – students should contact their bank in advance of the due date on their bill to ensure that their wire is received by the University, by the due date.

Duke University does not accept credit or debit cards for payment of tuition and fees.

Scholarship checks and other correspondence should be sent to Duke University Bursar, Box 90759, Durham, NC 27708; Overnight and Express mail should be sent to 114 S. Buchanan Blvd., Bay 8, Room B-103, Durham, NC 27701.

Restrictions on Past Due Accounts

Tuition and fees are due before the start of each term. If your account becomes past due, a late payment penalty charge (not to exceed 1.25 percent of the past due balance from a prior bill) will be assessed on subsequent bills. If your account remains unpaid, you will not be allowed to register for future semesters and may be administratively withdrawn from Duke. As long as your account is past due, you will not have access to academic transcripts, be able to have academic credits certified, or receive a diploma at graduation. If your account remains outstanding after your departure from Duke, it may be referred to a collection agency and reported to a credit bureau.

Monthly Payment Plan

Duke University partners with Nelnet to allow currently enrolled students and their parents to pay all or part of the academic term expenses in monthly payments. Enrollment dates and additional details can be found at bursar.duke.edu.

A nonrefundable fee is charged for Nelnet participation; this fee is paid directly to Nelnet. As a Nelnet participant, you will continue to receive statements on a regular basis from the bursar’s office. This statement should reflect your Nelnet payments made to date. The balance due on your statement, which includes charges for the current term, must be covered by your remaining scheduled Nelnet payments for that term. Payments made to Nelnet for July 1 to November 1 must clear fall term charges; payments made December 1 to April 1 must clear spring term charges. If the balance due on your statement will not be cleared by your remaining scheduled payments for the term, please submit a payment for the difference directly to Duke University. For more information, visit mycollegepaymentplan.com/duke or contact Nelnet at (800) 609-8056.

Delinquent Accounts

An individual is in default if the total amount due is not paid in full by the due date. A student in default is not allowed to register for classes, receive a transcript of academic records, and have academic credits certified, be granted a leave of absence, or receive a diploma at graduation. In addition, an individual in default may be subject to withdrawal from school and have the account referred to a collection agency or credit bureau.

Refunds of Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees refunds are governed by the following policy:

In the event of death, a full refund of tuition and fees is granted.
Students who withdraw from the medical school or are approved to take an official leave of absence before the end of the first week of classes (as determined by the calendar corresponding to the student’s curriculum) receive a full refund of tuition.
Students who withdraw or take leaves of absence after the first week of classes of their particular curricula receive no refund of tuition. However, if a student returns to the School of Medicine, that tuition payment is included in the total amount required by the school.

Because Duke University participates in Title IV federal aid programs, it follows federal guidelines with respect to the refund and repayment of Title IV funds. Students will have their Title IV financial aid adjusted according to the federal regulations. Additional information regarding this procedure may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid.

Students are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid Program

The Duke University School of Medicine makes financial assistance available to accepted students who, due to economic circumstances, could not otherwise attend the university. The Doctor of Medicine Program is committed to meeting the demonstrated financial need of applicants based on federal and institutional policies and procedures. For our current academic year, approximately 80 percent of the total student enrollment received financial assistance from sources other than parents. Grants, scholarships, and loans from all sources to medical students totaled more than $27 million. More than $15 million of these funds were from Duke University School of Medicine scholarship/grant sources. Financial assistance is available in a combined form of grants and loans, and all awards are made on the basis of demonstrated need to eligible US citizens.

Federal Financial Aid – 45 Day Rule

A student is considered to have withdrawn from the program if the student is not scheduled to begin another course, within the same period of enrollment, within 45 calendar days after the end of the course the student last attended. A student is considered to have withdrawn in a given term for Title IV purposes if the student ceases attendance at any point prior to completing the period of enrollment, unless the school obtains written confirmation from the student at the time of the withdrawal that he or she will attend a course that begins later in the same period of enrollment.

Financial Assistance to Incoming Students

Students should start the financial aid application process once they have been admitted to the School of Medicine. All students, regardless of their interest in financial aid, are sent information at the time of their acceptance. The economic circumstance of the applicant has no bearing on whether the applicant is accepted into the medical school.

Student’s applying for need-based funding are required to complete the CSS Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Copies of federal income tax returns with all supplemental schedules and W2s for both parent(s) and student are also required as part of the financial aid application. Students applying for federal loans only should complete the FAFSA. An official aid award notice is emailed to the accepted applicant after receipt of the required forms. Application information can be found at: medschool.duke.edu/education/student-services/office-financial-aid/prospective-students.

Sources of Aid for International and Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Students

The School of Medicine values the enrichment that comes from having talented international students participate in the medical doctor program, and recognizes that many may need financial assistance in order to participate. A limited amount of need-based institutional grant is offered to students who demonstrate financial need. Applications are due on April 1. Additional information regarding these grants, and how to apply, can be found at medschool.duke.edu/education/student-services/office-financial-aid/prospective-students.

Financial Assistance to Upper-Class Students

Annual reapplication is required of all need-based aid recipients. Typically, May 1 prior to the award year is the filing deadline. International and DACA students must reapply by April 1.

Financial Aid When Studying Away

Need-based financial aid is available during fourth year clinical elective years. A student receiving a research scholarship may also qualify for need-based financial aid funds. External scholarships are used to replace the loan package first.

Your new award will incorporate any research scholarship within your financial aid award in accordance with NIH, Duke SOM policies and federal financial aid regulations. Duke University School of Medicine policy dictates that all external scholarships replace loans first followed by need-based grants if necessary. This includes any merit scholarships as well. Total aid from all sources cannot exceed the established and board approved cost of education. Whenever aid exceeds cost, there is an over-award situation which is a violation of federal regulations (HEA section 673.5 (b) (2), 673.5 (d)). All effort has been made to ensure that students have all the financial aid to which they are entitled.

Need-based financial aid funds are not available for the added monthly cost at study away sites where cost is greater than if the student studies at Duke. Unsubsidized loans can be obtained for these additional expenses. Students are reminded that their refunds include any additional living allowances that may have been added to their budget. Every effort will be made to map refunds to expenses but students are expected to track their own spending habits to scheduled refunds.

External scholarship awards are typically disbursed in August and early January; however, students will want to verify with their scholarship source the actual disbursement calendar and make financial arrangements accordingly. The funds credited to the student account first go to pay any outstanding tuition or fees on the account. Any remaining balance will be refunded to the student. In the case of the Howard Hughes award, the research allowance is allocated to the individual lab mentor through the Duke University Accounting system. They have fiscal responsibility for these funds, not the financial aid office.

For additional information, contact the Office of Financial Aid at (919) 684-6649 or finaid@dm.duke.edu.

Need-Based Aid

Grants

The School of Medicine is pleased to be able to offer grants to those students who qualify for need-based aid. The school recognizes, however, the responsibility of the individual and the family to provide funds to achieve the objective of a medical education. Thus, the school does not consider parents to have discharged the full financial obligation for the continuing education of the student upon the completion of the undergraduate degree. When being considered for a Duke grant, it is the responsibility of the student to provide all parental information to the financial aid office. This information is in the form of parents’ tax returns/W2s and the CSS Profile Application, which the student fills out and submits online. It is important that the student submit their financial aid application as soon as possible in order to receive a financial aid notification prior to April 30. It is Duke’s policy to calculate and assess each family a parental contribution each year. By accepting the award, you understand that this assessment will take place each year of your medical education. Situations may change for students during medical school—marriage, birth of children, etc.—but parental information is still required to be submitted for students to be considered for Duke need-based grants. Additional information is available at the financial aid website at medschool.duke.edu/education/student-services/office-financial-aid.

It is the responsibility of recipients of financial aid to keep the School of Medicine Office of Financial Aid informed of any outside financial assistance they may receive. It must be understood that the school reserves the right to reconsider its offer of financial assistance in the event of a major outside award to a recipient. No financial aid funds may be used during a period when the recipient is not involved with academic work toward the medical degree. Less than half-time or special students are not eligible for financial aid.

Loans

Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan. The Federal Direct PLUS Loan is used to borrow additional funds up to the total cost of attendance, less other financial aid received. This loan is available to graduate and professional students and may also be consolidated with Direct Stafford loans upon graduation. A credit check is required for all Grad PLUS loans. Current interest rates and loan fees may be found at studentloans.gov.
Private/Alternative Loans. Private education loans are designed to assist students who need additional funding to meet the gap between the cost of attendance and any financial aid. Private loans are not part of the federal education loan programs. These loans carry a variable interest rate.
Federal Direct Stafford Student Loans. For purposes of Federal Direct Stafford Loans and other Title IV funds, graduate and professional students are financially independent of parents. The annual maximum for medical students is $47,166. Loans will not have any interest subsidy, meaning the borrower will be responsible for the interest that will accrue during the enrollment period. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Borrowers must be a US citizen or permanent resident, have no previous default on a federal loan, and be enrolled at least half-time maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Duke University School of Medicine reserves the right to decline loan applications not having a satisfactory credit history. Current interest rates and loan fees may be found at studentaid.gov.

University Loans

The School of Medicine has an emergency loan fund, the Francis and Elizabeth Swett Loan Fund, available in small amounts to any medical student on a no-interest basis for a short period of time. The emergency loan is not intended for tuition payments.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Office of Financial Aid, Box 3067, DUMC, Durham, NC 27710; (919) 684-6649; or finaid@dm.duke.edu.

Resources with Service Commitment

Forgivable Education Loan for North Carolina Residents. The loan provides financial assistance to qualified students who are committed to working in North Carolina in fields designated as critical employment shortage areas. Additional information can be found at cfnc.org.
Federal Armed Forces Scholarships. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force) scholarship programs may be available for accepted or enrolled students. The recipient receives full tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend in return for a commitment of service as a physician for each year of funding.

Merit Awards for Medical Students

Duke University School of Medicine has a limited number of merit scholarships. Application and awarding of these scholarships are determined by individual committees. These scholarships are:

The Dean’s Merit Scholarships: Dean’s Merit Scholarships range in amount of one-fourth current tuition to full current tuition and are awarded to academically excellent incoming medical students. Selection is made by the Vice Dean of Education based on recommendations from the Medical School Admissions Committee. Annual renewal is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress.

The Dean’s Tuition Scholarships. Dean’s Tuition Scholarships range in amount of one-fourth current tuition to full current tuition and are awarded to academically excellent incoming medical students whose life experiences and background will meaningfully contribute to the diversity of the class. Factors considered may include personal attributes, experiential factors, demographics, or other considerations. Selection is made by the Vice Dean of Education based on recommendations from the Medical School Admissions Committee. Annual renewal is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress. Funds supporting the Dean’s Tuition Scholarship are:

Leon Levine Scholarship (formerly Family Dollar Scholarship), established November 1984, by gift from Mr. Leon Levine, Chairman of the Board, Family Dollar Stores, Inc., Charlotte, North Carolina.
Mary W. and Foster G. McGaw Scholarship, established February 1986, by bequest from Foster G. McGaw.
Richard Finner Scholarship, established November 2011, by Richard W. Finner.
William Orr Wagner, established August 2006, by Amanda Wagner, Brett Wagner, Dale Harrison, Jeanne McKibben, and Cathy McClure in honor of William Orr Wagner.

Fullerton Medical Scholarships: Duke University School of Medicine is one of the six medical schools in North Carolina and South Carolina that participates in the Fullerton Foundation’s Medical Scholarship program, established in 1985. The Program’s objective is to “identify and reward the student who demonstrates and projects the potential for development into a highly capable professional who is concerned with the total welfare of the society of which he/she/they is an active participant, as well as being a competent physician. The nominee must have potential for service in the health care field, which can be demonstrated by, but not limited to, leadership in high school, undergraduate school and the community, knowledge of society and the problems and opportunities of the world today, and the individual’s awareness of his/her/their own capabilities and limitations.” Each year the schools nominate an incoming student for one of the two $20,000 annual awards. The nominee or family of the nominee must be a resident of North Carolina or South Carolina for the past five years. Final Selection is made by the Foundation. The award continues for the remaining three years of medical school bases on the student maintaining satisfactory progress. On behalf of the four finalists, the Foundation awards a $1,000 honorary stipend.

The Rauch Family Merit Scholarships, established in 2013 by the Rauch Family Foundation, are the first all-inclusive scholarships at the School of Medicine. The scholarships will be awarded to an incoming first-year student who shows outstanding promise for a significant career in medicine. The merit-based scholarships will fund the approved cost of attendance as determined by the Duke Board of Trustees, which includes tuition, fees, transportation, and allowances for living and miscellaneous expenses. The scholarships continue through graduation as long as the student remains in good standing. Students are selected by the Executive Committee for Admissions during the regular merit scholarship selection process.

Dudley Family Academic Scholarship, established September 2014 by Mary A. Dudley and Alden W. Dudley, Jr. This scholarship will cover full tuition to an incoming first year medical student based on academic excellence and whose life experiences and background will meaningfully contribute to the diversity of the class.

Third Year Research Scholarships

Overview

A variety of research scholarships and research programs are available to support medical students in their year of individual scholarly activity. Most of these require a full twelve-month commitment to research. Students may apply for multiple external scholarships as well as internal scholarships offered by departments at Duke; however, usually a student can accept only one scholarship. All scholarships and programs involve a competitive application process.

The brief descriptions below include the currently approved external and internal scholarships and program details and contact information. Applications to external scholarship programs are often due in January, and applications to internal scholarship programs are due April 1 or the last working day before April 1. There are a few exceptions to these deadlines. Further questions can be directed to Third Year Office at thirdyear@mc.duke.edu.

External Research/Scholarship Programs

Criteria for approval: All standards required for students performing research in Duke University Medical Center laboratories/research environments should be met (including, but not limited to the following):

Students may only work with research mentors approved by the Third Year curriculum committee (approval based on publication record, experience in mentoring, and demonstration of funding for project).
Procedures and criteria for conduct of research, grading, preparation of thesis, time lines for completion are identical to those at Duke University Medical Center.
Research project and mentor must be identified as part of an existing research study track.
In addition, all outside laboratories must also agree to the following:
A description of the research program and criteria expected of the student should be provided to both the Third Year Committee and the Scholarship Committee for formal approval prior to announcing the opportunity.
Description of the program and selection criteria should be distributed to all potential recipients by the Duke Student Research Scholarship Committee (so all students have an equal chance at opportunity) and selection criteria determined in advance.
The Duke third year research study track director will be the official liaison between the outside mentor and the third year committee, providing oversight responsibility (just as at Duke).
Outside mentors are limited to one student/mentor each year.
Outside institutions shall not place restrictions on publication of student’s research.
Outside institutions shall not require the student to sign a confidentiality agreement pertaining to any aspect of the student's research project. All other confidentiality agreements must be evaluated and approved by the duke office of technology transfer before being signed by the student; any such agreements must be processed and signed before the student begins their 3rd year research.
Students may not be employed by an outside institution; only scholarships previously approved by the Third Year Committee and Scholarship Committee are allowed.
Outside institutions must be willing to recognize Duke’s portion of ownership of any patent emerging from the student’s research.

American Society of Hematology (ASH). The Society's Physician-Scientist Career Development Award is an opportunity for medical students to gain experience in hematology research and to learn more about the specialty by immersing themselves in a yearlong laboratory, translational, or clinical investigation under the mentorship of an ASH member. The total amount of the award is $42,000. The award is comprised of $32,000 to support the trainee, a $4,000 research allowance for supplies, $4,000 for insurance and educational expenses (including one course), and $2,000 for meeting attendance. The award is for a one-year period, generally July 1 to June 30. Applications are due by mid-January. Award notification is in March, 2020. More information is available at hematology.org/awards.

The Fogarty Global Health Fellowship. The Global Health Fellowship Program is a one-year clinical research training program for pre- and post-doctoral candidates, sponsored by the Fogarty International Center (FIC) and several collaborating institutes and centers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The purpose of the program is to support a one-year mentored research fellowship for clinical investigators studying diseases and conditions in developing countries. Several training sites are available through the Vanderbilt-Emory-Cornell-Duke (VECD) Consortium. Apply through the Consortia Programs-deadline 11/1/2022. For more information, see vumc.org/vecd or contact Cecelia Pezdek of the Hubert Yeargan Center for Global Health at Duke.

Gertrude B. Elion Award. The Gertrude B. Elion Mentored Medical Student Research Award will provide annual awards in the amount of $10,000. These awards will support women medical students who are interested in pursuing health-related research projects. Students must have an interest in health research, and must have the support of a faculty mentor. Find more information at trianglecf.org/award/gertrude-b-elion-mentored-medical-student-research-award.

Intramural Research Program at the National Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS). The NIEHS Medical Student Research Fellowships one-year research training opportunity for third-year medical students will be available for the academic year. Details on how to apply can be found below. Interested students should email the Program Director, Janet E. Hall, M.D. with inquiries about potential projects and mentors. Fellowships will begin in late summer/early fall. Research should have an “environmental medicine” theme. For more information go to niehs.nih.gov/careers/research/med-students/index.cfm.

National Institute of Health (NIH) Medical Scholars Program. This program offers research experiences with intramural investigators from across NIH in basic science laboratories, and in clinical and translational research conducted at the NIH Clinical Center, the world’s largest hospital dedicated to patient-oriented research. The deadline for complete applications is in January. Student support will include a $36,000 stipend, and resources for education enrichment, such as travel to scientific meetings. For more information on the NIH Medical Research Scholars Program, please visit the NIH Clinical Center’s Office of Clinical Research Training and Medical Education website at cc.nih.gov/training/mrsp or contact mrsp@mail.nih.gov.

Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Foundation. The Sarnoff Fellowship Program offers medical students enrolled in accredited US medical schools the opportunity to spend a year conducting intensive work in a biomedical research laboratory. Applications are encouraged from all interested medical students, whether or not they have prior research experience. Applicants enrolled in an MD/PhD program are not eligible for a Sarnoff Fellowship. Fellowship awardees receive an annual stipend of $32,000 in addition to an allowance for travel to select a Preceptor and Fellowship laboratory, moving expenses, health insurance, computer and laboratory supplies, and travel to scientific meetings. For more information, contact Dr. Neil Freedman at neil.freedman@duke.edu. Applications must be submitted online at sarnofffoundation.org. The application deadline is in January.

Internal Scholarship Programs

The following is a list of internal scholarships available to Duke Third Year Medical Students. For general questions, contact thirdyear@dm.duke.edu. For scholarship specific questions, contact the assigned coordinator.

Application Process

Applications for the Internal Third Year Scholarships are processed through MyResearchProposal online application software.

To apply visit bit.ly/myresearchproposal, click on “Create New User” (or log in if you already have an account).
A step-by-step user’s guide for applying via the MyResearchProposal software is available. Review the guide here.
Enter Access Code “MEDSTUDENT” and follow the instructions.

Applicants will enter general project information via the web-based form or via pdf upload as indicated.

General Application Requirements

The following are general requirements for all applications. Some applications may require additional information

Applicant's Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Personal Statement (Half page limit)
- Explain your goals and objectives for your career development, to include:
  - How this research project fits into your plans
  - How you identified your mentor
Student Proposal (2 Page limit unless otherwise noted)
- Describe your proposed research, including:
  - Project title
  - Background
  - Hypotheses
  - Proposed methods
Mentor Information
- Mentor's NIH Biosketch
- Mentor's Letter of Support

Duke-Singapore Student Scholar Fellowship. Duke-Singapore Student Scholars are expected to spend 10 months doing mentored clinical or basic science research in Singapore, a country on the cutting edge of biomedical and health services. This research will take up around 80% of the scholars’ time. The scholars are also expected to serve on various curriculum committees, and engage fully with the Duke-NUS student community. Ideally, there would be a paired mentorship collaboration between the Duke-NUS mentors and Duke mentors for the scholars.

Additional Application Requirements: Write a brief (1-2 page) essay on "How, if at all, will being in Singapore enhance my research?"

Duke-Singapore Student Scholars will receive:

SGD20,000 tuition support which will be paid directly to Duke University
Two round trip economy (coach) class airline tickets from Duke University/home city to Singapore (one for initial arrival in Singapore and one for home/holiday trip). The maximum amount will be set annually, based on prevailing lowest airfares at the time of the award. If the tickets are not purchased directly by Duke University or Duke-NUS Medical School, students will need to submit original receipts for reimbursement.
Monthly stipend of SGD3,200 (subject to change) for the required period of the 3rd Year research, or up to 10 months, whichever is shorter.
Any mandatory NUS-related charges including but not limited to the following:
- Student Services Fee: S$ 63.11 per semester
- Health Services Fee: S$ 68.35 per semester
- Mandatory NUS-related charges are subject to revision. Check here for current information.
Temporary living expenses to assist the move to Singapore will be reimbursed up to SGD80 per day for up to two weeks. (These amounts are stated as Singapore dollars; see x-rates.com for conversion.) Support will be for the 10 months of their research project.

The scholarship will not be re-awarded to existing recipients of the scholarship, in the event that they extend their period of research beyond 10 months.

For additional information, contact Sulochana Naidoo, PhD.

Duke Physician Scientist Institutional Award (BWF) Research Fellowship for Medical Students. The Duke Physician Scientist Institutional Award (BWF) Research Fellowship for Medical Students is designed to encourage rising third year medical students to undertake a basic/bench research project at Duke University, with preference given to those who plan to commit to doing a second third year. $10,000 will be awarded as a scholarship for students in their first third year. $25,000 will be awarded as a scholarship for medical students in their second third year. This program is made possible through a grant from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF). For additional information, please contact Cyndi Duke-Terry.

Poindexter Award. The Poindexter Scholars in Basic Sciences Program is designed to encourage rising third year medical students to participate in research projects under the guidance of basic science faculty members in the School of Medicine. This program is focused on basic science research, and priority will be given to those who identify laboratories in basic science departments, though applicants doing basic research in Clinical departments are also encouraged to apply. $10,000 will be awarded as a scholarship for students in their first third year. $25,000 will be awarded as a scholarship for medical students in their second third year. This program is made possible through the generosity of Dr. John Poindexter, an alumnus of the School of Medicine. For more information, contact Cyndi Duke.

Margolis Scholars in Medicine. The Duke-Margolis Health Policy Center offers a one-year scholarship to MS3 medical students that demonstrate a strong interest and leadership potential in health policy and a commitment to conducting their Scholarly Research Project on a topic at the intersection of health policy and clinical practice. Selected students will become Margolis Scholars in Medicine and part of the university-wide, interdisciplinary Margolis Scholars program. Margolis Scholars is a prestigious program designed to prepare promising students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to improve health, health equity, and the value of health care and become the next generation of health care leaders in practice and research. The program was named in honor of Robert Margolis, M.D., the founder of Duke-Margolis, a pioneer of innovative integrated care delivery models, and a Duke SOM alum.

As part of the program, Margolis Scholars in Medicine will be mentored under the direction of a Duke-Margolis-affiliated faculty member (for their 3rd year project) and are expected to engage in Margolis Scholars program activities, such as health policy coursework, Scholars Skills Labs, Margolis seminars, peer mentorship network, and journal club. Scholars will also become part of the broader Duke-Margolis Center community of faculty, research staff, and external experts working on the cutting edge of health policy and health care transformation.

Additional Application Requirements:

Margolis Scholars Interest Statement (300 words or less). What interests you about the Margolis Scholars program, and how would the program benefit you during your Duke program of study and with regards to your immediate and long-term career goals?
Health Policy Training Ideas (200 words or less). As a Scholar, you will have access to funds to support additional training in health policy to complement your degree program. What kind of activities would you want to pursue (in research or professional development, for example), and how might you use these funds? (If accepted, it's OK to change your mind; you will not be held to the initial idea(s) you include here).
Health Policy Event Idea (200 words or less). If you were in charge of organizing a Margolis Center symposium or community service event related to a current health policy topic that interests you, what topic would you choose, why would you choose it, and how might you thoughtfully design a one-day event?
Personal Uniqueness Statement (150 words or less). The Margolis Scholars are a vibrant and interdisciplinary community. What will you bring to this group? In contrast to questions that ask you to describe your skills, accomplishments, and future goals, we are asking you here to discuss your personal uniqueness.
Optional: Barriers Discussion (150 words or less). We believe that students of diverse backgrounds will positively contribute to the intellectual, social, and cultural enrichment of the Margolis Center. This section is optional, but it provides you with the opportunity to discuss how you may have navigated any economic, social, cultural, educational, or other barriers, and what you have learned from those experiences.
Optional: Anything Else (150 words or less). We recognize your responses to the questions we have asked on this application may not capture everything important about you as it relates to your suitability for the Margolis Scholars program. This section is optional, but you may use it to tell us anything else you would like us to know about you.

Margolis Scholars in Medicine will receive a financial award of $12,500 and will also be eligible for a fund of up to $6,000 to support professional development activities related to health policy and/or research support (e.g., access to data sets, participant incentives).

For more information, or for a list of eligible mentors, contact Corinna Sorenson, PhD and visit the Margolis Scholars webpage.

Eugene A. Stead Student Research Scholarships. Dr. Eugene A. Stead, Jr. served as Chairman of the Department of Medicine at DUMC from 1947-1967. The Stead Scholarships, funded by donations from grateful patients and former colleagues, are the oldest of the Duke intramural medical student research scholarships. This endowment was established in 1988 to support a student in basic cardiovascular research. The Stead Committee typically awards 3-5 scholarships annually with a focus on third-year students who are working with mentors with a primary appointment in the Department of Medicine, or with basic science mentors. The research stipend for the Stead Scholarship is typically $35,000. A brief proposal for your research topic is followed by interviews by invitation. For additional information, please contact Rhonda Bartley.

Dr. Bernard J. Carroll Research Scholarship in Psychiatry. The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences offers a research scholarship for one (1) MS3 student who is conducting research under the direction of a full-time faculty member whose primary appointment is within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Scholars will be awarded a $15,000 scholarship for a 10-month research experience. Students will be encouraged to publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals. For more information, please contact Third Year Behavioral Neuroscience Program Director, Chris Marx, MD and copy Julie Penzner, MD.

The Duke CTSA Pre-Doctoral Scholarship. This is a two-year scholarship funded by the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA). CTSA scholars will complete two years of mentored clinical research and complete the Master of Health Sciences in Clinical Research (through the Duke Clinical Research Training Program).

Additional Application Requirements:

Name, position/title, and email address of three (3) individuals other than your primary mentor who are knowledgeable about your accomplishments and/or research interests.
A brief description clarifying the applicant’s role on the study.
A paragraph indicating to which Master’s program the applicant would apply and why.
Applicants may also provide up to two (2) additional pages of information to the proposed research program question in the application.

The Duke CTSA TL1 scholarship provides full tuition for scholars to complete the Master’s program, a stipend for each full year of study, and additional funds that may be applied towards insurance costs, research expenses, and travel expenses to scientific meetings. CTSA scholars will graduate from Duke Medical School a year late. For additional information, contact Stephanie Molner.

Gynecologic Cancer Research Fellowship. The Gynecologic Cancer Research Fellowship is offered to third-year Duke University Medical Students annually. This award is intended to support students who choose to spend their third year involved in some aspect of gynecologic cancer research under the supervision of a Duke Gynecologic Cancer Program faculty member. This includes research in ovarian, uterine and cervical cancer. The Fellowship carries an annual stipend of $10,000. This includes $5,000 directly to the student, $2,500 for research expenses and $2,500 for travel to meetings to present their research. For additional information, contact Andrew Berchuck, MD.

The Donald B. Hackel Fellowship in Cardiovascular Pathology. This fellowship provides for research in vascular biology under the direction of a full-time faculty member whose primary appointment is in the Department of Pathology. This ten-month fellowship includes a financial stipend. For additional information, contact Shannon J. McCall, MD (shannon.mccall@duke.edu).

R. Randall Bollinger Surgical Scholarship. This scholarship fund was established to honor the legacy of Dr. Ralph Randal Bollinger, a surgical leader whose love of science and surgery has made a significant contribution to medical research and teaching at Duke University. The Department of Surgery offers research scholarships for MS3 students conducting research within the department and are mentored by Department of Surgery faculty. Research should be focused on general/thoracic surgery. Applicants are reviewed competitively. Funding is variable, but has ranged from $3,000-$10,000 per year in the recent past. Ideally, students will be expected to publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals and to present their research at regional or national scientific meetings. For more information, contact Ben Latta (Thomas.latta@duke.edu)

Duke Global Health Institute. The Third-Year Global Health Study Program takes advantage of the Duke School of Medicine’s unique curriculum to allow medical students to take their entire third year for research activities. For additional information, contact Lysa MacKeen.

Additional Application Requirements:

Site Based Mentor Letter of Support (if applicant's site-based mentor is different from their Duke Mentor)
Detailed Budget (Click here for form)

Duke Institute for Health Innovation (DIHI) Clinical Research and Innovation Scholarship. The DIHI is a platform and resource for Duke University/Duke Health faculty, staff and students to advance transformative innovations in health and healthcare delivery. The DIHI clinical research and innovation scholarship will support a student to join an innovation pilot project team for the duration of third year. The student will be expected to pose an original research question that pertains to the project, and must attend and lead team meetings. Awards are up to $15,000 but vary year to year. For additional information, contact Ebony Nash.

Barr-Spach Medicine and Engineering Scholarship. The Barr-Spach Medicine and Engineering Scholarship was endowed to honor the work of Dr. Roger C. Barr, PhD, Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Associate Professor in Pediatrics, and Dr. Madison Stockton Spach, MD, James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Chief Emeritus of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology. Students supported by this endowment will be designated Barr-Spach Medicine-Engineering Fellows.

Additional Application Requirements: Applicants should use the short answer essay questions required for the master’s application in lieu of a personal statement.

Recipients of the scholarship are expected to actively engage with the MEDx community, including, but not limited to, attendance to MEDx meetings at least quarterly, working with MEDx leadership on specific projects such as articles for the website, newsletter, or content for social media. Scholarship recipients are considered ambassadors for this program (administered through MEDx), which may include activities such as introducing the program to interested medical students.

Discover the various disciplines available at meng.pratt.duke.edu/disciplines. Contact Donna Crenshaw, PhD, Executive Director of MEDx, to express interest in the scholarship in advance of submitting a formal application.

Basic Science Research Track Scholarship for the MHS Degree. The Duke Office of Physician-Scientist Development (OPSD) and the Duke Burroughs Wellcome Fund Physician-Scientist Institutional Award (BWF-PSIA) are pleased to announce a request for applications for funding to offset tuition for enrollment in the Basic Science Research Track (BSRT) for the Master of Health Sciences (MHSc) in Clinical Research Program.

These need-based scholarships provide up to $30,000 (up to $15,000 per year for 2 years) to cover program tuition. This RFA is open to physician-scientists preparing to enroll in the BSRT program, including medical students intending to pursue a second 3rd year experience; fellows working in basic science laboratories; early career-stage faculty and potential K award applicants.

Proposals should include:

Applicant’s CV
Research Summary (1-2 pages)
Statement of need including a description of the impact the BSRT degree program is expected to have on the applicant’s ability to move their research forward
An overview of the applicant’s research and career plans
Letter of support from Mentor (for students and trainees) or Division Chief/Department Chair (for faculty) (1 page)

Eva J. Salber Award. The Eva J. Salber Award is awarded to a third-year medical student(s) to investigate and improve the health of a defined, disadvantaged population group. The award is named for Eva J. Salber, MD, an early pioneer in Duke's efforts to partner with Durham County on community health projects. It provides financial support of $5,000 for students working to address an unmet need in the community. Up to 50% of the awards may be used to defray tuition expenses and expenses incurred while carrying out the project. Click here for more information. Applications must be directly emailed to Nikeya Goodson.

Michael R. Nathan Memorial Fund Award. The Michael R. Nathan Memorial Fund is awarded to a third-year medical student who undertakes a project in community health, occupational health, or international health. The fund is named for Michael R. Nathan, MD, a 1973 graduate of Duke University School of Medicine. Funding is $5,000 and awarded to a deserving third-year medical student who undertakes a project in community health, occupational health, or international health. A portion of the award (up to 50 percent) can be used to offset tuition expenses and the rest will be used for travel and project expenses. The award is made annually on a competitive basis. Projects carried on under the award will be supervised by the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. Click here for more information. Applications must be directly emailed to Nikeya Goodson.

Snyderman/Moore Scholars In Health Care. The Duke Center for Personalized Health Care (DCPHC) in collaboration with the Duke Cancer Institute (DCI) is offering a one-year scholarship to outstanding Duke MS3 students that demonstrate a strong interest in new approaches to health care delivery that are personalized, proactive, precise, and patient-centered. Health care is in the midst of a transformation from a reactive, uncoordinated focus on disease to coordinated, predictive, preventative, and precision care that addresses the broad needs of the individual. The DCPHC is well-recognized as a leading creator and developer of such care models while the DCI is a nationally recognized leader in precision cancer care. The awardees will have demonstrated excellence in their medical school training and a deep commitment to improving health care. Scholars will serve as interns in the DCPHC and assigned research projects to develop and test innovative new models of care for individuals with chronic disease. As part of this experience, awardees will rotate through the DCI to learn the basis and practice of precision cancer care. Scholars will participate in selective activities of DCPHC and DCI including seminars, research presentations, manuscript preparation, and mentorship by key faculty. Dr. Ralph Snyderman and Dr. Joseph Moore will also serve as direct mentors.

The overall purpose of the program is to enable students to understand and contribute to new approaches to care that are transforming medicine. It is our hope that Scholars will emerge as not only better practitioners, but better prepared to be leaders in health care. The award is made possible through a generous contribution from Julie and Bill Esrey. Bill was CEO of Sprint and Julie was an esteemed member of the Duke Board of Trustees and a valued advisor to the Medical Center.

Each Snyderman/Moore Scholar typically receives up to $3,000 in award funds. For more information, please contact Cindy Mitchell.

Financial Aid and Scholarships. Need-based financial aid is available during the third-year scholarly research year and fourth-year clinical elective years. A student receiving a research scholarship may also qualify for need-based financial aid funds. The award will incorporate the scholarship along with any financial aid award in accordance with NIH, Duke SOM policies, and federal financial aid regulations. Duke University School of Medicine policy dictates that all external scholarships replace need-based loans first. At such time that these loans are replaced in full, then the grant portion of a student’s aid award will be reduced. This includes any merit scholarships as well. Total aid from all sources cannot exceed the established and Board-approved cost of education.

Whenever aid exceeds cost, there is an over-award situation which is a violation of federal regulations (HEA section 673.5 (b) (2), 673.5 (D)). All effort will be made to ensure that students have all the financial aid to which they are entitled.

Need-based financial aid funds are not available for any added monthly cost at study away sites where living expense is greater than if the student studies at Duke. Unsubsidized loans can be obtained for these additional expenses. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional information.

Third-Year Scholarship Students’ Ability to Enroll in Coursework

Students who have been awarded scholarships for third-year research should be aware that some scholarships will not allow coursework while involved in scholarly research funded by a specific scholarship. Student should check with their Advisory Dean to confirm which scholarships are in this category.

All third-year students are required to satisfy the third-year practice course/continuity clinic. When a scholarship prohibits doing coursework for credit, this requirement may be satisfied by an approved outpatient/continuity course during the fourth year. Some students involved in specific study programs are also required to enroll in specific courses related to that lab experience. In no instance, however, should a scholarship recipient enroll in courses without the specific permission of the study program director and their research mentor.

Students should be aware that taking courses during a period when they are not allowed may lead to loss of scholarship support, loss of credit, or other adverse measures.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Financial Aid

Federal regulations that went into effect July 1, 2011 require that Duke establish and implement a policy to measure whether students applying for and/or receiving financial aid are making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) towards a degree. This regulation applies to all students applying for aid, whether or not financial aid has been previously received. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the successful completion of degree requirements according to established increments that lead to awarding the degree within published time limits. There are three measurements that are used to determine eligibility: Credit Hour Requirement, Grade Point Average and Maximum Time Frame. Not meeting these requirements may result in loss of all financial aid. Below is an explanation of these requirements.

Monitoring of Academic Progress

Students’ progress will be reviewed after grades are finalized, with the exception of Medicine which will be at the end of each year. A determination of eligibility to receive financial aid for subsequent enrollment periods will be made at this time. Although Duke will send a notification to the student, the student is fully responsible for monitoring their own academic progress as it relates to financial aid eligibility. The student should review their grades on an on-going basis and compare it to the standards set forth in this SAP policy to determine if they are meeting (or failing to meet) the established criteria.

Evaluations will be done in a timely manner; however the next term, (or year for medicine), may be in progress at the time we are able to notify students of their ineligibility. Should the student be concerned that they may not have met the requirements, they may contact the Financial Aid Office during normal business hours. Students will be notified via their Duke e-mail account if they have failed the measurement. Students may appeal the decision. The appeal form and directions will be located on our website.

Frequency of Evaluation and Communication of Status

Satisfactory Academic Progress for students enrolled in Allied Health Programs, and Doctor of Medicine second year and fourth year will be checked when grades become available for each term in which the student is enrolled (including summer). Satisfactory Academic Progress for students enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine first and third year will be checked at the end of each year. Students not achieving SAP will be notified of their status (Financial Aid Warning, loss of eligibility, or Financial Aid Probation) by email to their University email account.

A student who fails to meet any of the standards will be placed on a Financial Aid Warning for the next semester. (Students already on a Financial Aid Warning will lose federal aid eligibility.)

Financial Aid Warning and Loss of Federal Financial Aid Eligibility

A student who fails to meet SAP will be automatically placed on “financial aid warning” for the next enrollment period.

During the “financial aid warning” enrollment period, the student may receive federal financial aid despite the determination that the student is not meeting SAP standards.

The student must meet SAP standards at the end of the financial aid warning period or will be suspended from further financial aid until such time as the student:

meets SAP standards (student must pay for any additional course enrollment after the financial aid warning period through personal or private funds), or
successfully appeals and is placed on financial aid probation (outlined below)

Students will be notified of their status at the time of each SAP evaluation. Those who lose eligibility will be notified by email, and the email will include instructions for appealing the loss of eligibility.

There are three (3) parts to the measurement and they are explained below:

Maximum Time Frame for Eligibility: Reviewed Each Term/Year
- The normal time frame for completion of required course work is determined by each program. Students are allowed to take 1.5 times the years of the program to complete the degree. Leave of Absences (LOA) are not counted unless the time frame from the date of matriculation reaches 10 years. Students are not allowed to take more than 10 years, including LOAs, to complete degree requirements.
Quantitative: Reviewed at the end of each Term/Year
- Students must successfully complete a minimum of 70% of the total number of hours for which they are enrolled after the first week of the enrollment period and cumulatively. Each program determines progress to be reasonable by dividing the cumulative number of credits the student has successfully completed by the cumulative number of credits the student has attempted.
- Students enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine Program must complete 100% of attempted credits in the first year in order to progress to the second year. All fourth year students must have satisfied all requirements as specified by the program in order to graduate.
Qualitative Requirement: Reviewed at the end of each Term/Year
- Successful completion of a course for all students, for purposes of SAP calculations, means a student must earn a grade of Credit (Cr), Pass (P), Satisfactory (S) or better. All other grades, including F (Fail), I (Incomplete), or W (Withdrawal) will not be counted as successful completion. Only an incomplete that has been changed to a passing grade can be added to the number of hours completed for the semester of the original registration. It is the students’ responsibility to notify the Office of Financial Aid once an incomplete grade has been changed to a valid grade.

SAP Probation and Appeal Process

Students who lose eligibility for financial aid may appeal the decision by following the procedures outlined below. Those wishing to utilize this process must indicate mitigating circumstances that occurred during the course of the semester or year in question, that could not have been anticipated prior to that period, and that adversely affected their ability to successfully complete their required coursework. (Events such as the death of an immediate family member, extended illness suffered by the student, or other unforeseeable events that may have caused significant hardship for the student may be considered as examples of mitigating circumstances.) To appeal, a student must:

Submit a letter of appeal to the Financial Aid Office. The appeal letter should include the following:
- mitigating circumstances that prevented the student from meeting the requirements of academic progress (e.g. death in the family, student illness or injury, other personal circumstances). Mitigating circumstances do not include: withdrawing from classes to avoid failing grades, pursuing a second major or degree, etc.;
- documentation that supports the student’s basis for the appeal;
- steps the student has taken/will take to ensure future academic success. This plan should outline the student’s academic goals for each period (e.g. number of credit hours and/or cumulative GPA) that will enable the student to meet the requirements of academic progress at a specified future point in time; and
- anticipated graduation date.
In most cases, the SAP Appeals Committee will render a decision within two weeks of receipt of a fully completed appeal. All decisions of the SAP Appeals Committee are final. Notification of the decision will be sent via the student’s Duke email account.
The promotions committee will monitor and review progress of the student. Failure to meet SAP during the probationary period may result in dismissal from the program.
If the SAP appeal is approved, financial aid will be awarded for the next semester on a probation period as long as an approved Academic Plan is in place. An Academic Plan must be formulated with a student’s advisor.
If the SAP appeal is denied, financial aid will be canceled. If you have been denied aid please review the section “Regaining Financial Aid Eligibility” below.
Term and academic plans and/or other conditions of appeal approval will be included in the notification letter.

Regaining Financial Aid Eligibility

Upon receipt of all completed appeal materials, the student will be considered for a probationary semester of financial aid in order to reestablish satisfactory academic progress. Students whose appeal is approved will be placed on financial aid probation. Academic progress will be evaluated at the conclusion of each enrolled term for students on academic probation.

Students who fail to meet the requirements for academic progress for their probationary semester or do not complete the requirements of their academic plan will again be ineligible for financial aid and subject to the appeal process.

Students who meet the requirements for academic progress for their probationary semester will resume good standing and again be evaluated at the conclusion of the following term/year.

MD - Doctor of Medicine

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