You will first need to complete an undergraduate degree at a university. Costs will vary depending on the program you are involved in, the institution and its location. Then you will complete a Medical Doctor (MD) degree. Again costs will vary but, as an example, at the University of Calgary, the cost of medical school is approximately $15,000 per year for three years. Some MD programs are four years in total. The approximate cost for this portion of your education will be about $50,000 for the tuition including textbooks and equipment.

A two-year residency program to become a rural physician will also cost about $50,000 in addition to textbooks and equipment.

Student Financial Assistance

There are a variety of scholarships, awards and grants available to help students finance the cost of a medical education. These may be awarded for academic achievement, community involvement, athletics etc. Check with your guidance counselor to see what awards are available that you can apply for.

Students should also refer to Scholarship Connections which is a searchable list of more than 300 scholarships, bursaries and awards provided by a variety of organizations. Students can search by keyword, category or deadline for scholarships in areas ranging from leadership to athletics to the arts.

RPAP Rural Medical School Award and Rural Medical Student Bursary

Encourages students who come from a designated rural area to pursue a career in rural medicine by reducing their financial burden. See Support for Medical Students at www.rpap.ab.ca

Northern Alberta Development Council

Bursary for Medical Students
For information, see Bursaries at www.nadc.gov.ab.ca

Alberta Medical Association Section of Rural Medicine

Michael Tarrant Scholarship
For more information, refer to Michael Tarrant Scholarship.