Back to ROMS Scholarship Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for this loan program?

Any bona fide resident of Arkansas accepted for admission to or is enrolled in good standing in a medical school in Arkansas in studies that lead to the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Each applicant must be interviewed and approved by the Arkansas Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship Board.

What is the maximum amount of loan funds I can receive?

At present, funding for the program supports $12,000 per academic year ($6,000 per semester).

What other qualifications must applicants meet?

An applicant must be a person of good moral character, of good academic standing, in need of financial assistance to complete medical studies, participating in a "medically underserved and rural practice curriculum", and who clearly demonstrates a desire to practice full-time primary care medicine in a rural community.

How are rural practice loans repaid?

Each applicant approved by the Board for a loan shall practice full-time primary care medicine in a rural community. For each continuous whole year of full-time medical practice, the Board shall cancel, by converting to a scholarship grant, the full amount of one year's loan plus accrued interest. Loans made for subsequent years will be converted in like manner, one year of service for each year of assistance until the loan obligation is retired.