The Janet and Ray Scherr Fellowship Loan Repayment Endowment Program

The program provides loan assistance for fellows to help repay medical student debt and to encourage fellows to pursue a career in pediatric academic medicine. The candidate must exhibit documented loans and is selected based on merit and need by a committee of faculty members. All applicants are evaluated on a competitive basis depending on their potential for an academic career post-fellowship.

Loan Amount & Repayment

  • The loan amount is a maximum of $10,000 per fellow per year of fellowship.
  • The loan is interest free while not in repayment.
  • For every year after graduation that the individual remains on the faculty at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, a full year's repayment is forgiven. (For example, if the individual remains on as faculty for 2 years, then 2 years would be forgiven, etc.).
  • For every year after graduation the fellow remains in a full-time academic pediatric position elsewhere, fifty percent (50%) of one year's repayment is forgiven. The remaining 50% is payable according to the terms of the loan agreement.
  • The loan amount that is forgiven is subject to federal and state taxes.

If the trainee does not stay in academic medicine:

  • The entire amount must be repaid within three years of the date the amount financed becomes due and payable.
  • The due date and payable date is one year after completion of the fellowship or immediately if the fellow withdraws from the program or does not pursue a career in academic Pediatrics.

Criteria

  • Pediatric fellows with verifiable documentation for current loans are eligible to apply (including loans in deferment).
  • Applicants must apply annually for loans.

Application Materials

The annual deadline for applications is typically in September. Fellows must submit the following materials when applying:

  • Copy of entire fellowship application file (first time applicants only)
  • Cover letter written by candidate to include his/her statement and potential for academic post-fellowship
  • Letter of recommendation from fellowship Program Director
  • At least two additional letters of recommendation
  • Documentation of loan burden, e.g., with bank documents, etc.

 

Please let us know if you have any questions.