Deadline: April 5, 2018
Please see Melissa in the Financial Aid Office for the application.
Applicant Eligibility Requirements
• Medical students who are approaching their third year of medical school
• Proof of U.S. citizenship
• Currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. medical school (and in good academic
standing)
• Black/African-American female
• Demonstrated leadership ability
• Commitment to serving medically underserved communities
Applicants who are members of The Links, Incorporated or a daughter of a Link are not
eligible.
The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation established in
1946. The membership consists of nearly 15,000 professional women of color in 285
chapters in 41 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of
extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the
culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African
ancestry.
The Links established the Health and Human Services (HHS) facet in response to the
chronic health disparities that persist in black communities and result in decreased life
expectancy of African Americans and other people of African ancestry. The goal of HHS
is to promote and facilitate programs that support the maintenance of good health and
the elimination of chronic health disparities in communities of color through education,
health advocacy, and health resources. The Links plays a significant role in providing
crucial community education about health risks.
The Links recognizes that diversifying the physician workforce is one component that
can improve the health of the African-American community. Knowing that the cost of a
medical education is financially challenging, The Links will award five scholarships to
medical students in the amount of $25,000/year for two years (during their 3rd and 4th
year of medical school matriculation).
Please include the following with your application and forward all documents to
health@linksinc.org :
1) Demographic Information (see page 2 of application)
2) Current Professional School Transcript
3) Personal Statement (500 – 1,000 words):
Please address how you plan to use your medical degree to support your community
in the near future.
4) Verification of Citizenship:
Acceptable proof of citizenship includes a scanned copy of one of the
following:
• US birth certificate
• Current U.S. passport
• State driver’s license
5) CV or Resume
6) Two Letters of Recommendations (sent directly to The Links, Incorporated at
health@linksinc.org)
• One recommendation letter should be sent from a dean, faculty member, or chief
administrative officer from your academic institution (on university letterhead).
• The second recommendation letter should be sent from a community leader or volunteer
supervisor. If a community leader or volunteer supervisor is unavailable, a second letter
from a dean, faculty member or school administrative officer is acceptable.
7) Financial Documents
Student Aid Report (SAR) from the U.S. Department of Education (if you received
federal loans during undergraduate or graduate school)
Financial Aid Summary (see form on page 4)
Application Timeline:
1. March 1 – April 5, 2018: Application opens
2. April 5, 2018: Applications with all supporting documents are due and must be submitted no later than 11:59 P.M. (ET) to health@linksinc.org
3. April 20, 2018: Awardees will be notified
Awardees must attend The Links, Incorporated 41st National Assembly in Indianapolis, IN on Friday, June 29, 2018 to receive the award. Airfare, one hotel night of lodging and ground transportation up to $500 will be provided to attend the National Assembly Program Luncheon.
