Arkansas Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship

Eligibility

• Be a bona fide Arkansas resident accepted to or enrolled in good standing at an Arkansas medical school leading to a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.
• Demonstrate financial need, suitable character and ability, participate in the prescribed underserved/rural curriculum, and intend to practice qualifying full-time rural primary care.
• Complete a Board interview and obtain approval; general medical-school admission does not guarantee this loan.

Requirements

• Apply through SAMS and confirm current intake, interview and renewal dates with ADHE; no dated deadline is published on the reviewed program page.
• Complete required medical studies and the rural curriculum; apply annually for renewal, which depends on continued eligibility and funds.
• Provide one continuous whole year of approved full-time primary-care practice for each funded academic year to cancel that year’s loan and accrued interest.
• The Board must approve the Arkansas community. Published criteria include population below 20,000, at least 20 miles from a city/town over 20,000, and medically underserved status.
• Obtain approval for residency training and annual payment deferments; choose the service community when completing training, as directed by the Board.
• Failure to fulfill the contract creates principal/interest repayment obligations and may have licensing consequences. Read the current agreement before accepting.

How to Apply

1. 1Confirm eligible DO enrollment, current funding and the Board schedule with ADHE.
2. 2Complete SAMS, provide financial and admission records, and attend the Board interview.
3. 3Review and sign the loan/service agreement.
4. 4Maintain academic and rural-curriculum eligibility, renew as required, then document approved rural practice for conversion.