Larner College of Medicine

Scholarships

The Office of Primary Care and AHEC Program is pleased to offer scholarship opportunities to Larner College of Medicine students to support their career development and alleviate the financial challenges associated with medical education.

The deadline for all scholarships offered through VTAHEC is aligned with the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) Unified Scholarship Application deadline. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the deadline is February 11, 2026

For more information on any of the following scholarship programs, contact:

Jennifer Gaudreau, CPRP-DEI, Physician Placement Professional
Email: Jennifer.Gaudreau@med.uvm.edu
Phone: (800)442-3531

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VT AHEC Scholars Medical Student Incentive Scholarship/Loan Forgiveness

The VT AHEC Scholars Medical Student Incentive Scholarship/Loan Forgiveness Program enhances Vermont's primary care pipeline, boosting the number of new physicians, especially in rural areas and underserved specialties, to better meet the state's healthcare needs now and in the future.

Program Information

Overview - VT AHEC Scholars Medical Student Incentive Scholarship/Loan Forgiveness

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This program was established by the Vermont legislature in collaboration with the Vermont Department of Health, UVM LCOM’s Office of Primary Care and Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program, and the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC).  The purpose of the program is to strengthen the primary care physician workforce pipeline and increase the number of new physicians practicing in Vermont to meet the health care needs of Vermonters, with a focus on rural areas and undersupplied medical specialties.

Anticipated Award Amount: $40,000; Awards will be disbursed for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Number of Awards: up to 10 

Eligibility - VT AHEC Scholars Medical Student Incentive Scholarship/Loan Forgiveness

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  • Full-time enrollment in (or entering) either the third or fourth year of the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont. Each year of award requires a new application.
  • Vermont residency in not required.
  • Applicants must be pursuing primary care (family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, OBGYN, or psychiatry) and be committed to future practice in rural VT (outside Chittenden County).
  • Intent to work in Vermont as a physician for a minimum of one year per year of scholarship award following completion of medical training (residency/fellowship).
  • Intent to start work in Vermont within one year following completion of medical training.
  • Students who have existing contractual service obligations (e.g., military, NHSC Scholars, AHEC Scholars Incentive Scholarship) are not eligible. 

Application Information - VT AHEC Scholars Medical Student Incentive Scholarship/Loan Forgiveness

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Applications for this scholarship are coordinated through the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) Unified Scholarship Application.

Apply Online Awardees will also need to complete the VT AHEC Supplemental Document (PDF).

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David and Eleanor Ignat Scholarship

Established in 2022 by Founding Donors David and Eleanor Ignat, this scholarship bolsters the physician pipeline and increases new physicians practicing in Vermont to meet residents’ health care needs.

Information - David and Eleanor Ignat Scholars Incentive Scholarship/Loan Forgiveness Program

Overview - David and Eleanor Ignat Scholars Incentive Scholarship/Loan Forgiveness Program

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This program was established in 2022 by the Founding Donors, David and Eleanor Ignat, and the University of Vermont Foundation and is administered in collaboration with UVM’s Office of Primary Care and Area Health Education Centers Program (AHEC), and UVM Student Financial Services (SFS). The purpose of the program is to strengthen the physician workforce pipeline and increase the number of new physicians practicing in Vermont to meet the health care needs of Vermonters.

Anticipated Award Amount: $40,000; Awards will be disbursed for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Number of Awards: 1 to 2

Selection: Personal statement/required questions, required documents, and input from AHEC/LCOM Selection Committee. The Founding Donors will have no role in the selection process.

Eligibility - David and Eleanor Ignat Scholars Incentive Scholarship/Loan Forgiveness Program

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  • Full-time enrollment in (or entering) the fourth year of the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont.
  • Vermont residency is not required.
  • All medical specialties are eligible to apply.
  • Intent to work in Vermont as a physician for a minimum of one year following the completion of medical training (residency/fellowship).
  • Intent to start work in Vermont within one year following completion of medical training.
  • Students who have existing contractual service obligations (e.g., military, NHSC Scholars, AHEC Scholars Incentive Scholarship) are not eligible.

Application Information - David and Eleanor Ignat Scholars Incentive Scholarship/Loan Forgiveness Program

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Application and Timeline:

To Apply, submit the following to Jennifer Gaudreau, CPRP-DEI, Physician Placement Professional, (Jennifer.Gaudreau@uvm.edu).

Applicants will be required to provide the following to us:

  1. A response to required questions (PDF).
  2. A copy of current curriculum vitae (CV).
  3. A signed commitment form (PDF) stating your intent to work in Vermont as a physician for a minimum of one year following the completion of residency/fellowship training. 

Award Conditions:

If awarded, recipient must sign a promissory note detailing the terms and conditions of the Incentive Scholarship/Loan. The award and its terms become binding once the promissory note is signed and executed. Disbursement of the award will not be made unless a signed promissory note is received.

  • Recipients who work in Vermont as a physician according to the terms and conditions will have complete forgiveness of this loan.
  • Recipients who do not work in Vermont as a physician according to the terms and conditions will repay this incentive scholarship/loan to the University.

Read a recent article about the LCOM class of 2025 David and Eleanor Ignat Scholars Incentive Scholarship/Loan Forgiveness Program recipients!

doctor listens to a patient in an exam room

Freeman Foundation Legacy Medical Scholarship

This scholarship honors the Freeman Family and Foundation in appreciation and recognition of their significant financial support to UVM Larner medical students. This legacy scholarship continues to incent students committed to future medical practice in Vermont, in any specialty.

Information - Freeman Foundation Legacy Medical Scholarship

Overview - Freeman Foundation Legacy Medical Scholarship

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This scholarship honors the Freeman Family and Foundation in appreciation and recognition of their significant financial support to UVM Larner medical students.  The aim of the 2001-2012 Freeman Medical Scholars Program was to strengthen the physician workforce pipeline and increase the number of new physicians practicing in Vermont to meet the health care needs of Vermonters (i.e., increase access to care), with a focus on rural areas and undersupplied medical specialties.  The last Class of Freeman Medical Scholars graduated in 2012.  This legacy scholarship continues work to support and incent students committed to future medical practice in Vermont.

See a complete list of Freeman Medical Scholars (PDF).

Anticipated Award Amount: $10,000; Awards will be disbursed for the 2026-2027 academic year. 
Number of Awards: 1 to 2

Selection: Personal statement/required questions, required documents, and input from AHEC/LCOM Selection Committee. The Founding Donors will have no role in the selection process.

Eligibility - Freeman Foundation Legacy Medical Scholarship

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  • Full-time enrollment in (or entering) the fourth year of the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont.
  • Any medical specialty
  • Intent to work in Vermont as a physician for a minimum of one year (to commence within one year following the completion of your medical training)

Students who have existing contractual service obligations (e.g., military, NHSC Scholars) are not eligible.

Application Information - Freeman Foundation Legacy Medical Scholarship

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To apply for the Freeman Foundation Legacy Medical Scholarship, submit the following to Jennifer Gaudreau, CPRP-DEI,  Physician Placement Professional, (Jennifer.Gaudreau@uvm.edu). 

Applicants will be required to provide the following to us:

  1. A response to required questions (PDF).
  2. A copy of current curriculum vitae (CV).
  3. A signed commitment form (PDF) stating your intent to work in Vermont as a physician for a minimum of one year following the completion of residency/fellowship training.