Dr. Francis Anthony Beneventi Medical Scholarship 2024

Have you dreamed of pursuing a career in medicine but worry about how to pay for medical school? Each year, Dr. Francis Anthony Beneventi offers a generous scholarship to help support aspiring medical students with their educational costs. We’ll consider all the details about the Dr. Francis Anthony Beneventi Medical Scholarship for 2024, including eligibility requirements, the application process, award amounts, deadlines, and more. 

What is the Dr. Francis Anthony Beneventi Medical Scholarship?

The Dr. Francis Anthony Beneventi Medical Scholarship was established in 2010 through an endowment to the College of Medicine at a large public university. It aims to honor the legacy of Dr. Beneventi, a renowned physician who dedicated his life to practicing medicine in underserved communities. Throughout his 50-year career, Dr. Beneventi treated countless patients regardless of their ability to pay and was a tireless advocate for improving healthcare access.

Upon his retirement, Dr. Beneventi established the endowment to support future physicians who share his passion for serving vulnerable populations. Each year, the scholarship selection committee awards funds to deserving medical students who demonstrate a strong commitment to primary care, especially for low-income individuals and families. Since its inception, the Beneventi Scholarship has helped dozens of students achieve their dreams of becoming doctors.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Dr. Francis Anthony Beneventi Medical Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Currently a full-time student in an accredited M.D. or D.O. degree program at the College of Medicine beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year. Scholarship awards can be directed toward tuition, fees, books, supplies, and living expenses.
• Demonstrate financial need through submission of a FAFSA application and other financial documents. Preference is given to applicants with the greatest unmet need.
• Possess a cumulative grade point average of not more than 3.5 out of 4.0 from their undergraduate degree or most recent 60 semester/90 quarter credits earned.
• Possess U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency.
• Express a strong interest in and commitment to primary care, especially family medicine, general internal medicine, or general pediatrics. Applicants must provide documentation of relevant clinical or volunteer experiences.
• Agree to practice primary care in a medically underserved area for at least 4 years upon completing their medical degree and residency training. Recipients who are unable to fulfill this service requirement must repay the scholarship.

Application Process

The application process for the Dr. Francis Anthony Beneventi Medical Scholarship involves several steps:

1. Complete the online application form: This collects basic biographical and contact information as well as questions about the applicant’s background, career goals, and financial needs.
2. Submit transcripts: Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended must be sent directly from the school to the scholarship program. Transcripts should show a minimum 3.5 GPA.
3. Provide letters of recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are required from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s academic abilities, community service experiences, and dedication to primary care for underserved groups. At least one letter should come from a professor or advisor.
4. Compose personal statement: In 500-1000 words, applicants must explain their interest in primary care, their experiences helping medically underserved populations, and how receiving this award would help them achieve their goals of becoming a physician.
5. Submit FAFSA report: Applicants’ official FAFSA report from the current application cycle must be sent directly to the scholarship committee to demonstrate financial need.
6. Upload resume: A resume highlighting relevant work, clinical volunteer, Shadowing, research, and extracurricular experiences should also be submitted.

All application materials must be received by February 1, 2024, to be considered for the 2024-2025 academic year. Incomplete applications or materials received after the deadline will not be reviewed.

Selection Process

Once the application period closes, the scholarship selection committee will begin a comprehensive review of all eligible candidates. Committee members include medical school administrators, faculty members, and prior Beneventi Scholarship recipients. Here is an overview of how recipients are chosen:

Initial Review

The committee will first review applications to ensure all eligibility requirements and application instructions are followed. Any incomplete applications will be disqualified at this stage. The committee may also conduct background checks or request clarification on certain details before moving candidates to the next round.

Scoring Rubric

Qualified applications then undergo an in-depth evaluation based on a 100-point scoring rubric. Points are awarded based on grades, test scores, personal statement quality, letters of recommendation, relevant experiences, and demonstrated financial need. The rubric allows for an objective comparison of candidates.

Interviews

The top 10-15 scoring applicants will be invited for in-person or virtual interviews with the selection committee during late February/early March. This gives the committee a chance to directly assess a candidate’s communication skills, passion for medicine, and fit for the scholarship’s goals. Interview performance carries significant weight.

Final-Recipient Selection

By mid-March, the selection committee will convene to review all applications, scores, and interview feedback, and make final decisions. Typically 3-5 scholarships of $20,000 each are awarded based on ranking. All applicants then receive notification of the decision by the end of the month.

Award Details

The Dr. Francis Anthony Beneventi Medical Scholarship provides generous financial support that can significantly help reduce educational debt:

• Award Amount: $20,000 per recipient, paid in two $10,000 installments
• Number of Awards: Typically 3-5 scholarships are given out each year
• Renewability: The scholarship is not automatically renewable but past recipients may re-apply for additional years of support.
• Uses: Funds can cover any education-related expenses like tuition, fees, books, supplies, computers, and living costs. Recipients have full discretion over spending.
• Service Obligation: To fulfill the purpose of the endowment, recipients must commit to 4 years of primary care practice in an underserved area upon completing their medical training.

This award truly makes a difference for aspiring doctors passionate about serving low-income and vulnerable groups. The $20,000 allotment covers a significant portion of average medical school tuition and living costs, which takes away financial pressure. It allows recipients to focus fully on their medical education and serving community healthcare needs.

Important Dates

Applicants should be aware of these crucial deadlines for the 2024-2025 Dr. Francis Anthony Beneventi Medical Scholarship:

• Application Opens: November 1, 2023
• Application Deadline: February 1, 2024
• Finalists Notified: Mid-March 2024
• Interviews Conducted: Late February – Early March 2024
• Recipients Notified: End of March 2024
• Award Funds Disbursed: August 2024 and January 2025

Make sure to plan and schedule ample time to complete all application requirements by the February deadline. It’s also wise to submit materials a few days early in case any issues arise. Following these dates is key to being considered for this esteemed scholarship opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some of the most common questions applicants may have:

1 Do I have to attend the College of Medicine to apply?

While the scholarship is bestowed through the College of Medicine, applicants do not need to be enrolled there – they simply must be planning to attend an accredited medical school beginning in fall 2024.

2 What if I don’t have 4 years of clinical experience yet?

Though relevant experience is preferred, it is not an absolute requirement for the scholarship. Your statement should explain your demonstrated interest and any related activities, even if hours are limited. Strong academics can offset less experience.

3 Will my citizenship status affect my application?

To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. International or DACA students unfortunately do not qualify due to restrictions on the endowment funds.

4 How much time do I need to commit to primary care?

The service obligation is to practice primary care for 4 years total upon completing your medical degree and any residency training. Part-time hours can count toward the requirement on a pro-rated basis.

5 What happens if I can’t fulfill the service obligation?

Recipients who are unable to complete the 4-year service commitment must repay the full amount of scholarship funds received. Repayment plans can be negotiated if circumstances genuinely prevent completing service on schedule.

Conclusion

The Dr. Francis Anthony Beneventi Medical Scholarship offers tremendous support for aspiring physicians dedicated to caring for underserved populations. If you have a demonstrated passion for primary care and financial need, this award could be life-changing in helping advance your medical education and career goals. With a strong application showcasing your qualifications and fit for Dr. Beneventi’s vision, you have an excellent chance at being selected. Be sure to closely follow the application instructions and deadlines. Starting early allows time for revisions and getting excellent recommendation letters.