Scholarships
St. Martinus University is committed to fostering academic excellence and ensuring access to quality medical and health science education. This page outlines how the university supports deserving students through various financial aid and merit-based awards, helping to alleviate financial burdens and enable students to focus on their studies.
Why Scholarships Matter at St. Martinus
- Encouraging Academic Excellence and Supporting Deserving Students: Scholarships at St. Martinus University serve to recognize and reward outstanding academic achievement, while also providing crucial support to students who demonstrate genuine financial need. Our aim is to cultivate a diverse and talented student body, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder aspiring healthcare professionals from pursuing their dreams.
- Who Can Apply: Our scholarship programs are designed to benefit both domestic and international students, fostering a global community of scholars dedicated to healthcare. Specific eligibility for each scholarship type will be detailed in the criteria.
Types of Scholarships Available
Merit-Based Scholarships
Awarded to high academic achievers who consistently demonstrate exceptional scholastic performance. These scholarships recognize intellectual prowess and commitment to learning.
Need-Based Scholarships
Provided to students with demonstrated financial need, aiming to make quality education accessible regardless of socioeconomic background. Eligibility is determined through a thorough assessment of financial circumstances.
Program-Specific Scholarships
Tailored scholarships linked to specific programs, such as Nursing or Physiotherapy, designed to attract and support talented individuals entering these vital healthcare fields.
International Student Scholarships
Dedicated scholarships for students coming from abroad, acknowledging their unique needs and contributions to our diverse campus environment.
Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- Academic Performance Requirements: Applicants must meet specific academic thresholds, often including a minimum GPA or equivalent grades in previous studies.
- Minimum GPA or Grades: Clearly defined academic benchmarks are set for each scholarship to ensure recipients meet the rigorous standards of St. Martinus University.
- Program Enrollment Requirements: Applicants must be officially enrolled in or accepted into a specific program at St. Martinus University to be considered for scholarship awards.
- Special Consideration for Extracurriculars or Leadership: Beyond academic scores, active participation in extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and community engagement may be considered to assess an applicant’s holistic profile and potential contribution to the university community.
Scholarship Application Process
- Step-by-Step Guide to Applying: A detailed guide will be provided on the university portal, outlining each step from initial inquiry to final submission.
- Required Documents (Transcripts, Letters of Recommendation, Financial Proof, etc.): Applicants will typically need to submit official academic transcripts, letters of recommendation from academic or professional references, a personal statement, and relevant financial documentation to demonstrate need or merit.
- Application Deadlines: Strict application deadlines are enforced for each scholarship cycle. Prospective applicants are advised to consult the university’s financial aid calendar for specific dates.
Award Amounts & Renewal Conditions
- Typical Coverage: Scholarship awards vary, ranging from partial tuition coverage to full tuition, and in some cases, may include a living allowance. Specific amounts will be detailed for each scholarship opportunity.
- Renewal Requirements: Scholarship recipients are typically required to maintain a specified minimum GPA, demonstrate consistent attendance, and adhere to the university’s code of conduct to ensure continued eligibility for renewal.
BERNARD KOUCHNER AWARD
For Outstanding Service to the Community
Purpose: To provide financial assistance to students who demonstrate the ability to bridge the gap between SMU and the local community by finding and implementing innovative ways to expand the university’s service to the community. This student must prove their passion and dedication to SMU’s community outreach programs and beyond while making a real and lasting impact on the Curaçao Community.
Amount: $500.00 (to be applied to their SMU student account)
Eligibility: All SMU students.
Conditions: Scholarship may be awarded to a maximum of two students per semester in both the Basic Sciences and Clinical Sciences Phase. A student can only receive this award twice during their time at SMU. All applicants must be currently enrolled and active students.
Requirements:
In order to qualify for this scholarship, students must submit:
- Letter of Good Standing: Letter from the Registrar’s Office demonstrating good academic and financial standing.
- NOTE: Letters of Good Standing are only valid for 30 days.
- Letter of Recommendation (1): From a member of SMU Faculty.
- Letter of Recommendation (2): From a member of the medical community or other community organization attesting the good done by the student on behalf of SMU.
- Personal Statement: Short text explaining why the candidate believes they deserve to be awarded the scholarship including concrete examples demonstrating positive community outreach.
SIR RONALD ROSS AWARD
For Academic Achievement on the USMLE Step 1
Purpose: To provide financial assistance to academically talented students who achieve a passing score on USMLE Step 1 on their first attempt. This scholarship will be applied towards the student’s tuition fees with the intention of partially offsetting registration fees associated with the USMLE Step 2 CK Examination.
Amount: $200.00 dollar credit applied to their student account.
Eligibility: MD Program: Basic Science Students.
Conditions: Scholarship is to be awarded to all students who pass the USMLE Step 1 examination on their first attempt and meet the below-stated requirements. This scholarship is not available to transfer students. All applicants must be currently enrolled and active students.
Requirements:
In order to qualify for this scholarship, students must submit:
- Letter of Good Standing: Letter from the Registrar’s Office demonstrating good academic and financial standing.
- NOTE: Letters of Good Standing are only valid for 30 days.
- Personal Statement: Short text explaining why the candidate believes they deserve to be awarded the scholarship.
- USMLE Score Report: Document must demonstrate a PASS on USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt.
ELIZABETH BLACKWELL AWARD
For Academic Achievement on the USMLE Step 2 CK
Purpose: To provide financial assistance to academically talented students who achieve a high score on the USMLE Step 2 CK examination.
Amount: $750.00
Eligibility: MD Program: Clinical Sciences Students
Conditions: Scholarship is to be awarded to all eligible students and only occurs as a one time award. All applicants must be currently enrolled and active students.
Requirements:
In order to qualify for this scholarship, students must submit:
- Letter of Good Standing: Letter from the Registrar’s Office demonstrating good academic and financial standing.
- NOTE: Letters of Good Standing are only valid for 30 days.
- Personal Statement: Short text explaining why the candidate believes they deserve to be awarded the scholarship.
- USMLE Score Report: Document must demonstrate a score of +250 without any failed USMLE attempts.
ANN PRESTON AWARD
For Academic Excellence
Purpose: To provide financial assistance to an academically talented student who demonstrates the ability to excel at SMU.
Amount: $1,000 per semester applied to their SMU student account.
Eligibility: MD Program: Basic Sciences Students
Conditions: Scholarship is to be awarded to a maximum of two students per semester. Students are only eligible to obtain this award a maximum of four (4) times during their Basic Sciences can obtain a maximum amount of $4,000 through this scholarship. All applicants must be currently enrolled and active students.
Requirements:
In order to qualify for this scholarship, students must:
- Letter of Good Standing: Letter from the Registrar’s Office demonstrating good academic and financial standing.
- NOTE: Letters of Good Standing are only valid for 30 days.
- Letter of Recommendation: From a member of SMU Faculty.
- Unofficial Transcript: Demonstrating a 3.50 semester grade point average (GPA).
- Personal Statement: Short text explaining why the candidate believes they deserve to be awarded the scholarship.
EDWARD JENNER AWARD
For Excellence in Research and Scholarly Activities
Purpose: This scholarship aims to recognize and support individuals who have exhibited outstanding dedication, innovation, and achievement in the field of medical research.
Amount: $500 for individual recipients (to be applied to their SMU Student Account).
$1,000 for groups (to be divided equally among all winners and applied to their SMU Student Account).
Eligibility: All SMU students.
Requirements:
- Letter of Good Standing: Letter from the Registrar’s Office demonstrating good academic and financial standing.
- NOTE: Letters of Good Standing are only valid for 30 days.
- Letter of Recommendation: From a senior/supervising member of the research endeavor attesting the outstanding contributions of the student to the research endeavor.
- Research Report: Submission of the final research paper as well as a report detailing the research initiative, including purpose, process, and findings.
- Personal Statement: Short text explaining why the candidate believes they deserve to be awarded the scholarship.
- Published Paper / Report (if available)
- Conditions: Scholarship may be awarded to one student (or group of students) per year and only occurs as a one time award. Students must be active participants in a research initiative and play a vital role in its conception, execution, and analysis. Students must undergo an interview with the Research and Scholarly Activities Committee and demonstrate having comprehensive knowledge on the research initiative. It is up to the Committee’s discretion whether or not to grant the scholarship based on their assessment of the applicant’s merit. Scholarship does not apply to additional university fees or certification exam costs. All applicants must be currently enrolled and active students.
- NOTE: Group submissions will be assessed on an individual basis and each member’s contributions will be measured separately. Therefore, not all group members may be found eligible to receive or deserving of this scholarship.
BERNARD KOUCHNER AWARD
For Outstanding Service to the Community
Purpose: To provide financial assistance to students who demonstrate the ability to bridge the gap between SMU and the local community by finding and implementing innovative ways to expand the university’s service to the community. This student must prove their passion and dedication to SMU’s community outreach programs and beyond while making a real and lasting impact on the Curaçao Community.
Amount: $500.00 (to be applied to their SMU student account)
Eligibility: All SMU students.
Conditions: Scholarship may be awarded to a maximum of two students per semester in both the Basic Sciences and Clinical Sciences Phase. A student can only receive this award twice during their time at SMU. All applicants must be currently enrolled and active students.
Requirements:
In order to qualify for this scholarship, students must submit:
- Letter of Good Standing: Letter from the Registrar’s Office demonstrating good academic and financial standing.
- NOTE: Letters of Good Standing are only valid for 30 days.
- Letter of Recommendation (1): From a member of SMU Faculty.
- Letter of Recommendation (2): From a member of the medical community or other community organization attesting the good done by the student on behalf of SMU.
- Personal Statement: Short text explaining why the candidate believes they deserve to be awarded the scholarship including concrete examples demonstrating positive community outreach.
SIR RONALD ROSS AWARD
For Academic Achievement on the USMLE Step 1
Purpose: To provide financial assistance to academically talented students who achieve a passing score on USMLE Step 1 on their first attempt. This scholarship will be applied towards the student’s tuition fees with the intention of partially offsetting registration fees associated with the USMLE Step 2 CK Examination.
Amount: $200.00 dollar credit applied to their student account.
Eligibility: MD Program: Basic Science Students.
Conditions: Scholarship is to be awarded to all students who pass the USMLE Step 1 examination on their first attempt and meet the below-stated requirements. This scholarship is not available to transfer students. All applicants must be currently enrolled and active students.
Requirements:
In order to qualify for this scholarship, students must submit:
- Letter of Good Standing: Letter from the Registrar’s Office demonstrating good academic and financial standing.
- NOTE: Letters of Good Standing are only valid for 30 days.
- Personal Statement: Short text explaining why the candidate believes they deserve to be awarded the scholarship.
- USMLE Score Report: Document must demonstrate a PASS on USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt.
ELIZABETH BLACKWELL AWARD
For Academic Achievement on the USMLE Step 2 CK
Purpose: To provide financial assistance to academically talented students who achieve a high score on the USMLE Step 2 CK examination.
Amount: $750.00
Eligibility: MD Program: Clinical Sciences Students
Conditions: Scholarship is to be awarded to all eligible students and only occurs as a one time award. All applicants must be currently enrolled and active students.
Requirements:
In order to qualify for this scholarship, students must submit:
- Letter of Good Standing: Letter from the Registrar’s Office demonstrating good academic and financial standing.
- NOTE: Letters of Good Standing are only valid for 30 days.
- Personal Statement: Short text explaining why the candidate believes they deserve to be awarded the scholarship.
- USMLE Score Report: Document must demonstrate a score of +250 without any failed USMLE attempts.
ANN PRESTON AWARD
For Academic Excellence
Purpose: To provide financial assistance to an academically talented student who demonstrates the ability to excel at SMU.
Amount: $1,000 per semester applied to their SMU student account.
Eligibility: MD Program: Basic Sciences Students
Conditions: Scholarship is to be awarded to a maximum of two students per semester. Students are only eligible to obtain this award a maximum of four (4) times during their Basic Sciences can obtain a maximum amount of $4,000 through this scholarship. All applicants must be currently enrolled and active students.
Requirements:
In order to qualify for this scholarship, students must:
- Letter of Good Standing: Letter from the Registrar’s Office demonstrating good academic and financial standing.
- NOTE: Letters of Good Standing are only valid for 30 days.
- Letter of Recommendation: From a member of SMU Faculty.
- Unofficial Transcript: Demonstrating a 3.50 semester grade point average (GPA).
- Personal Statement: Short text explaining why the candidate believes they deserve to be awarded the scholarship.
EDWARD JENNER AWARD
For Excellence in Research and Scholarly Activities
Purpose: This scholarship aims to recognize and support individuals who have exhibited outstanding dedication, innovation, and achievement in the field of medical research.
Amount: $500 for individual recipients (to be applied to their SMU Student Account).
$1,000 for groups (to be divided equally among all winners and applied to their SMU Student Account).
Eligibility: All SMU students.
Requirements:
- Letter of Good Standing: Letter from the Registrar’s Office demonstrating good academic and financial standing.
- NOTE: Letters of Good Standing are only valid for 30 days.
- Letter of Recommendation: From a senior/supervising member of the research endeavor attesting the outstanding contributions of the student to the research endeavor.
- Research Report: Submission of the final research paper as well as a report detailing the research initiative, including purpose, process, and findings.
- Personal Statement: Short text explaining why the candidate believes they deserve to be awarded the scholarship.
- Published Paper / Report (if available)
- Conditions: Scholarship may be awarded to one student (or group of students) per year and only occurs as a one time award. Students must be active participants in a research initiative and play a vital role in its conception, execution, and analysis. Students must undergo an interview with the Research and Scholarly Activities Committee and demonstrate having comprehensive knowledge on the research initiative. It is up to the Committee’s discretion whether or not to grant the scholarship based on their assessment of the applicant’s merit. Scholarship does not apply to additional university fees or certification exam costs. All applicants must be currently enrolled and active students.
- NOTE: Group submissions will be assessed on an individual basis and each member’s contributions will be measured separately. Therefore, not all group members may be found eligible to receive or deserving of this scholarship.
Tips for a Strong Application
How to Present Achievements
Clearly articulate your academic and extracurricular achievements, highlighting how they align with the values and mission of St. Martinus University.
Importance of a Clear Personal Statement
Craft a compelling personal statement that authentically conveys your passion for your chosen field, your aspirations, and why you are a deserving candidate for the scholarship.
Avoiding Common
Mistakes
Pay meticulous attention to detail, ensuring all required documents are submitted accurately and on time. Proofread your application thoroughly for any errors.