Scholarships

For Donors: The MEDPREP Scholarship Endowment

The goal of MEDPREP is to help aspiring students become health professionals. Many MEDPREP students have great financial need, and scholarships make a real difference in helping our students focus on academics and attain their goals.

To better provide financial support for our students, we have a "million dollar vision": a MEDPREP endowment capable of providing sizable scholarship support for our students. Our current focus is to complete the endowment of the Tamara O'Neal Memorial Scholarship. Thanks to recent contributions, we are very close to reaching this goal. 

                            
Tamara O'Neal Memorial Scholarship Endowment Drive - read more here.

Gifts to the MEDPREP endowment, through these or other scholarships, ensure that your contribution will pay dividends for years to come. All donations make a real difference! If you would like to provide a lasting gift of any size, please click on the DONATE button for secure online giving to one of our MEDPREP Scholarship funds, or contribute by mail at the address found at the bottom of the page.

Donate

For Students: Applying for Scholarships

Program scholarships are awarded to MEDPREP students on the basis of academic scholarship, community service and/or financial need. These scholarships are available on a competitive basis for currently enrolled MEDPREP students who have completed their first year of the program and are in good academic standing. Scholarship applications are available in the fall through the MEDPREP office and are awarded in the spring. Awarded scholarships are disbursed through the SIUC Foundation into the student's bursar account. 

Scholarship awards are made by the MEDPREP Scholarship Selection Committee, pending availability of funds. The exact type and number of scholarships awarded to MEDPREP students may change from year to year. Applicants must be current SIUC students enrolled in MEDPREP; MEDPREP students may also apply for other SIUC scholarships. Students should apply for MEDPREP and university scholarships in the fall via Academic Works. 

MEDPREP Scholarship Opportunities

NAMED SCHOLARSHIPS

Harold R. and Lana G. Bardo Endowed Scholarship: Dr. Bardo served as director of MEDPREP for nearly 30 years before his retirement in 2014, and Dr. and Mrs. Bardo continue to support MEDPREP students via these endowed scholarship awards.

Cyprianna Estrada Scholarship at Southern Illinois University: Cyprianna "Cyppie" Ashley Estrada was a beloved student of the MEDPREP Class of 2024, where she was studying to enter medical school at the time of her passing. Prior to returning to her education, Cyprianna had worked at Sherman Advocate Hospital - she was a health care hero who worked tirelessly in service to others during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Cyprianna Estrada Scholarship honors Cyppie's love and care for others, her curiosity and desire to learn, and her passion to help others through medicine. Donors wishing to contribute the the Scholarship can give securely online by clicking here (choose the MEDPREP Scholarship Fund; there is a space to enter a memorial message). Contributions may also be made by mail at the address below.

Giving Back Scholarship Fund: Founded by Dr. Jonathan Buck (MP Class of 2011), these scholarships support current students at MEDPREP, provided in the spirit of "paying it forward" by MEDPREP alumni.

John S. Lewis Memorial Scholarship Fund: These endowed scholarships, which are contributed by the Lewis family, commemorate the life and work of Dr. John S. Lewis, a Carbondale physician who helped found Doctor's Hospital, now Memorial Hospital, in Carbondale after World War II.

Shirley J. McGlinn Endowed Scholarship: Mrs. Shirley McGlinn was a long-time biology instructor for MEDPREP until her passing in 2012. Her family and the MEDPREP community honor her love for MEDPREP and deep commitment to the success of MEDPREP students through these scholarships. Please read more about Shirley's contributions to MEDPREP, and how we are honoring her through this scholarship HERE.

W.G. Robinson-McNeese, M.D. Scholarship Fund: Dr. McNeese is a MEDPREP alumnus who continues to support the advancement of MEDPREP students through the McNeese Scholarship Fund. Dr. McNeese is trained in emergency medicine and most recently served as the SIU system Director of Diversity Initiatives.

William R. and Molly Norwood Scholarships. The Norwood family is a proud contributor to scholarships for SIU students in numerous areas, including MEDPREP and Aviation. SIU Hall of Famer William Norwood was the first African-American quarterback at SIUC, as well as the first African American pilot for United Airlines.

Dr. Tamara O'Neal, M.D., Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship celebrates the life of Dr. Tamara O'Neal, MEDPREP Class of 2009, an emergency room physician who we lost to gun violence in 2019. Please read more about Dr. O'Neal, and the drive to endow this scholarship HERE.

GENERAL FUNDS

MEDPREP Faculty and Staff Scholarship Fund: Several scholarships are awarded each year thanks to annual contributions from current and former MEDPREP faculty, staff, alumni and friends of MEDPREP. Anyone may contribute to the Faculty and Staff fund, and contributions go directly to scholarships awarded in the next academic year. 

MEDPREP Benefactor Scholarship Endowment Fund: The Benefactor Fund is our growing MEDPREP general scholarship endowment. Unrestricted endowment gifts will be placed in the Benefactor's Endowment Fund. Gifts of any size will grow this fund and increase our yearly capacity to provide scholarships to deserving students.

Contribute

We welcome contributions to MEDPREP scholarships. Secure online contributions may be made via the SIUSOM Foundation scholarship giving link below, or via mail.

• To securely give online, visit the MEDPREP Scholarship Giving Page.
• To give via mail, checks should be made out to SIU Foundation. Donors wishing to contribute to a specific scholarship my indicate this on the check memo line, or include a note with their donation. Please send your check to the MEDPREP office: