Scholarship Guidelines

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Purpose, Description, and Objectives: Our scholarships help predoctoral dental students whose past work demonstrates a future career of leadership in community minded dentistry. This scholarship is not awarded principally on academic merit, instead preference is given to those who create a charitable impact locally within Maryland. National and international impacts are also valued. It is our pleasure to support the careers of future dentists who appreciate the role of organized dentistry and who have a heart for service for the community.

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Dollar Amount and Number of Scholarships Available: One $10,000 scholarship will be awarded, unless otherwise decided by the Task Force. 

Eligibility Criteria (Target Audience): 

1. Applicants must be an entering third or fourth year student at the time of application and currently attending or enrolled at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, as well as have membership in the American Student Dental Association (ASDA).

2. Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student, a minimum of 12 credit hours;  Applicants must demonstrate a minimum financial need of $10,000.

3. Applicants must have a minimum accumulative grade point average of 2.75 based on a 4.0 scale. 

4. Applicants must be United States citizens. 

5. Applicants must demonstrate participation in an activity related to an access to care or community service project other than that required by their curriculum. 

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Application Submission and Review Processes:

1. Applications must be submitted by the student to the MSDAF  by the stated deadline. As a community engagement scholarship, the principle criteria for award will be the demonstration of past and future action for charitable impact. 

2. Demonstrating leadership in the community is highly valued in the selection process. 

3. The applicant will use the application forms provided with these Guidelines, as well as submit a 500 word essay on why organized dentistry is important, and what the applicant plans on doing in, or for, organized dentistry and for the community.  

4. Applicants must have a minimum accumulative grade point average of 2.75 based on a 4.0 scale. 

5. Three reference forms must be submitted in support of the applicant. Two from UMSOD faculty, and a third from a charity/access to care activity representative from inside or outside of UMSOD. One referrer must be a member of the American Dental Association (See the member directory at the following link. If you have any difficulties contact lauren@msda.com. ada.org/en/member-center/member-benefits/member-directory). These forms must either be submitted within the PDF packet, or emailed to ed@msda.com. 

6. The MSDA Foundation Scholarship Task Force will interview up to 6 finalists for the scholarship(s) and make the final determination of the recipients.

7. Incomplete or late applications will not receive response or consideration.

8. If confirmation of receipt of the submitted application is required, arrange to receive confirmation from the shipping vendor or U.S. Post Office. 

9. All applicants will receive follow-up communication from the MSDA Foundation.

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Scholarship Timetable:   
Scholarship Announcement sent to Dental School dean or administrative assistant: Annually in April

Applications due to MSDA Foundation:     June 17, 2024      

Interviews will be held:                                 July 15, 2024           

Notification of scholarship awards:             July 29, 2024

Award Ceremonies:                                      September 13, 2024

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Scholarship Policies:
As a matter of policy the MSDA C & E Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, political affiliation, national or ethnic origin or disability.

 
The Scholarship programs are competitive and submitting an application does not convey the right to receive a scholarship. 

Evaluation of Applications:  Scholarship applications are evaluated based on charitable activity, assessed on a 40 point scale as follows: 

Essay:  Maximum of 10 points 
Financial Needs assessment:  Maximum of 10 points 
Reference Forms:  Maximum of 10 points 
Biographical Sketch including access to care project experience:  Maximum of 10 points Scholarship decisions and award amounts are in the sole discretion of the MSDA Foundation Board of Directors. 
 

Reporting Requirements:  Reports are not required because this is a one-time only 
scholarship award.  Recipients sign a scholarship agreement form.

Additional Information: 
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the MSDA  Foundation at (410) 531-3943 or Greg Buckler at greg@msda.com.