Award Luncheon with Recipients and Leadership from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
What are The David Geffen Medical Scholarships?
The David Geffen Medical Scholarships are prestigious merit-based awards that provide four-year financial support to outstanding students entering the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
What is the amount of The David Geffen Medical Scholarships?
The scholarships provide financial support covering 100 percent of the four-year cost of attending medical school - including tuition, room and board, books and supplies, and other expenses.
Who is eligible for a David Geffen Medical Scholarship?
The scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit; financial need is not a criterion for eligibility.
How do I apply for The David Geffen Medical Scholarships?
All applicants to the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA are automatically considered for the merit-based scholarships through the application-and-interview process.
Are international students eligible?
Yes, international students are eligible. UCLA wishes to recruit the world's brightest and most talented medical school candidates.
How many David Geffen Medical Scholarships will be awarded?
Currently, nearly 20 percent of students per class will be awarded a David Geffen Medical Scholarship, including up to three scholarships for those students pursuing an eight-year M.D./Ph.D. educational track through UCLA’s renowned Medical Scientist Training Program. Medical school officials anticipate that over the next decade, more than 300 scholarships will be awarded.
How many individuals apply to The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA?
In 2014-2015, UCLA received 9,061 applications to the David Geffen School of Medicine program and 2,170 applications to the Charles Drew/UCLA Medical Education Program, which prepares students to practice in underserved communities, for a total of 11,231 applicants.
Are The David Geffen Medical Scholarships guaranteed for all four years?
Yes, provided scholars remain in good standing.
Are David Geffen Medical Scholarships offered to transfer students?
No, transfer students are not eligible for the scholarships in any year.
Are there any other scholarship opportunities offered to UCLA medical students?
Yes, UCLA also offers the UCLA Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarships and many additional awards that have been made possible by the generosity of alumni and friends, the majority of which are need-based.
UCLA Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarships
Our Leaders of Tomorrow Scholars Program pays full tuition for four years for several students-since 2012, 39 students have received UCLA Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarships. Recipients also receive special access to faculty and a research stipend of $5,000, among other benefits. Selection for these scholarships is also merit-based, and, as with The David Geffen Medical Scholarships, you are already under consideration.
Need-Based Scholarships
We have more than 100 scholarships made possible by philanthropy, and most are based on students' financial needs. Last year our average need-based scholarship award was $16,000 but will significantly increase based on the new scholarship funds. We encourage you to apply for financial aid by completing the online FAFSA at fafsa.ed.gov (UCLA's school code is E00374) and the Need Access Application at needaccess.org. Shortly after submitting these applications you will receive an e-mailed financial aid estimate for your first year in medical school.
Are there any forms to sign to finalize The David Geffen Medical Scholarship?
Once you’ve accepted your offer of admissions and The David Geffen Medical Scholarship, you will want to sign up for Bruin Direct. Bruin Direct automatically deposits your monthly stipend (refund) into your personal bank account. You can sign up on line by logging into MyUCLA.
Are there any commitments that go into being a David Geffen Medical Scholarhip recipient?
The Scholarship is disbursed each year to those making satisfactory academic progress. If you are required to repeat a year, you will not receive your David Geffen Medical Scholarship during this repeat year. However it can be reinstated once you are back on track and again making satisfactory academic progress. Additionally, the School will, from time to time, ask you to voluntarily participate in various activities that foster community-building and demonstrate impact of the award.
What exactly does the scholarship cover?
The scholarship automatically pays full tuition and fees for four years of medical school – including non-resident tuition if you are an out-of-state student. Additionally, it provides a stipend totaling $32,000 for four years of medical school, disbursed monthly - approximately $2666 per month. This stipend is to cover room and board, books, supplies, and transportation costs for each year of medical school.
How will the scholarship be disbursed? When is the first disbursement?
The tuition and fee portion is disbursed fall and spring semester. The stipend is disbursed monthly, July to June, with the July stipend disbursing as early as mid-June. However by mid-June, many entering students have not yet completed their paperwork to matriculate and / or set up their Bruin Direct Account to receive their first stipend check. In this case we combine both the July and August stipends and disburse the $5333 as early as mid-July.
Are we expected to pay front costs out of pocket until the first disbursement?
The only expense you may have to pay out of pocket before receiving your first scholarship stipend is your initial Weyburn Housing payment. All other costs, such as 1st-year books and supplies, can be purchased after receipt of your July and August stipend disbursements.
If students decide to live in Weyburn, can they get an extension until the first disbursement?
Yes, if a David Geffen Medical Scholarship recipient cannot pay their initial Housing payment before receiving their first stipend disbursement, he/she can contact Housing to request a payment agreement – which will defer a portion or all of this initial payment until the first disbursement of their stipend.
What are the initial costs of the start of the year? (book, equipment, etc)
The required book and supply list is provided as part of the Accepted Student Checklist. You will have received both your July and August Scholarship stipends before you are required to purchase these items. And there is a used book and equipment sale the first week of school to assist in helping you save money and make your stipend dollars stretch.
Do The David Geffen Medical Scholarships take out taxes?
No, The David Geffen Medical Scholarships do not take taxes out of stipend payments. It is the scholarship recipient's responsibility to arrange for tax payments. One tax resource available seasonally to UCLA students is UCLA VITA (http://vitaucla.wix.com/vitaatucla).
Do I need to claim California residency in order to receive and keep The David Geffen Medical Scholarship?
No. While encouraged, claiming California residency is not required in order to receive or keep a David Geffen Medical Scholarship.
