Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students - The University of New Mexico School of Medicine (UNM SOM) requests $650,000 annually for five years through the Health Resources and Services Administration Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students Program to provide scholarships to eligible full-time allopathic medical students from disadvantaged backgrounds who demonstrate financial need and severe financial hardship. As New Mexico’s only allopathic medical school, the UNM SOM has a statewide responsibility to prepare physicians who will serve the state’s rural, Tribal, and other medically vulnerable communities. New Mexico faces persistent physician shortages, geographic isolation, educational inequities, and high levels of poverty. As of April 2026, 32 of the state’s 33 counties were designated as primary care shortage areas. During academic years 2022-2023 through 2024-2025, an average of 361 UNM SOM students, or 88% of total enrollment, met the definition of disadvantaged background. Ninety-three percent of all enrolled students received financial aid, 87% of students from disadvantaged backgrounds received aid, and the average financial aid package was $33,580. Loans and service commitment aid accounted for 87.4% of financial assistance distributed in 2023-2024, demonstrating substantial dependence on borrowing. During the previous 2021-2025 SDS grant cycle, UNM awarded 121 scholarships averaging $16,167. SDS funding will support approximately 80 eligible students each year with awards of at least $8,000, equal to at least one-half of annual tuition. Awards will be based on documented financial need and severe financial hardship and will not exceed the student’s financial need or the annual SDS limit. Current eligible recipients will be considered for continued support before remaining funds are awarded to newly eligible students. Scholarship funds will reduce educational borrowing and help students meet tuition, fees, health insurance, books, transportation, housing, food, and other allowable educational and living expenses. The scholarship program will be integrated with UNM SOM’s established recruitment, advising, academic support, well-being, and career development infrastructure. Students will benefit from Learning Communities, the Applied Cognition in the Medical Sciences Program, the Office of Professional Well-Being, the Rural and Urban Underserved Program, individualized financial counseling, statewide clinical training, and structured career advising. These services support retention and graduation while encouraging careers in primary care and practice in rural, Tribal, and other medically vulnerable communities. The UNM Health Sciences Center Financial Aid Office will administer eligibility verification, recipient selection, disbursement, data security, and HRSA reporting. Program performance will be evaluated through scholarship, enrollment, retention, graduation, National Provider Identifier, residency match, and one-year employment or training data. Expected outcomes include increased access to medical education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, reduced borrowing, strong retention and graduation, and growth in the number of graduates entering primary care and serving communities with limited access to healthcare.
