Medical Student Resources

To the best of our ability, OSRD will support your bid for scholarships and other awards by providing a letter of recommendation for you. Please familiarize yourself with the steps below to ensure that we can fulfill your request in a timely manner.

When to Submit a Request: All requests for a letter must be received at least one month before the application deadline.

What You’ll Need to Submit a Request:

1. Name of the granting organization
2. Type of the granting organization (e.g., academic, professional group)
3. Name of the program you are enrolled in at UC Davis School of Medicine and/or OSRD and your participation year
4. Application deadline
5. Web link or photo of instructions from the granting organization that lists all of the application requirements
6. Format for submission (e.g., electronic or postal mail)
7. Mailing address for submission, if necessary
8. Unofficial copy of your transcript
9. Current resume or CV listing your experiences in chronological order
10. Brief statement specifically addressing your qualifications for the scholarship/award you are applying for

How to Submit a Request: Please send an email addressing all ten (10) of the points above to hs-osrd@ucdavis.edu with the Subject line “Letter of Recommendation Request—[Your Name]” at least one month before the application deadline.

Many Student Interest Groups (SIGs) organize events and programs to promote greater understanding across cultural differences. OSRD offers sponsorship of these programs throughout the academic year, through funding (subject to availability), outreach, and event planning support.

Students can apply for funding through the OSRD Funding Request Form by clicking here

Please note: due to the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions on gatherings and funding are subject to change.

Students can apply for funding to attend a healthcare conference or other event that has a focus on diversity and inclusion, or otherwise aligns with the mission of OSRD.

General Policies

• Each student who is interested in receiving funding must fill out the Request Form.
• OSRD can only fund travel within the United States.
• Travel to specialty-specific conferences will not be funded.
• If students are presenting their own research, we strongly recommend applying for the Office of Medical Education's Medical Student Research Travel Award. For more information, please contact Holly Ly at hhly@ucdavis.edu.

To apply for funding, students must:

1. Have not reached their allowable absence (if applicable)
2. Obtain good-standing approval through the Office of the Registrar (see below)
3. Email proof of approvals and Student Aid Index to hs-osrd@ucdavis.edu
4. Fill out the OSRD Student Travel Funding Request Form

Approval of funding will be based on:

• Significant financial need as shown by SAI and/or additional hardships
• No prior OSRD travel funding received for the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30)
• Excusal from required coursework in line with the M.D. Program Policy on Absences

Medical Student Process for Travel Funding Requests

When requesting travel funding for research, professional development, or other scholarly activities, students must complete the following a minimum of 2 weeks in advance of the travel date if it impacts in-person active learning, 6 weeks in advance if it impacts Longitudinal Clinical Experience (LCE), or the funding request deadline, or by the funding request deadline, whichever is earliest

1. Curriculum Permission:
   1. For MS1s and MS2s, complete the Pre-Clerkship Absence Notification Form unique to your class within Elentra, in accordance with the Pre-Clerkship Attendance, Participation & Absence Policy.
   2. For MS3s, complete the Absence Notification Form found within each clerkship Elentra page, in accordance with the Clerkship Attendance, Participation & Absence Policy.
   3. For MS4s, request permission directly through your department/rotation supporting team (coordinator, director, and patient care team), in accordance with the Post-Clerkship Phase Attendance, Participation and Absence Policy.

      2. Email Registrar’s Office (hs-studentrecords@ucdavis.edu) to request a “Letter of Good Standing.” The Registrar’s Office can provide this only if you are in good academic standing.

      3. Submit required approvals to funding unit (eg. OSRD, research programs, etc.) in advance when able to. No funds will be distributed/expensed until approvals are in place.

      4. Proof of your Student Aid Index from one of the following sources: FAFSA, CA DREAM Act Application, AMCAS Student Aid Report

Allowable Absences Guide

• MS1/MS2: Variable based on course, please review the absence notification form for allotted days based on timing of request. 
• MS3: 2 days off from each 6-week clerkship, no more than 7 days total missed during the academic year
• MS4: Usually a single day off on a 2-week rotation and 2-3 days on a 4-week rotation

What’s Covered?

• Registration costs, airfare, mileage
• Lodging up to $275 per night (taxes not included)
• Transportation between event location, lodging, and travel (e.g. between conference and hotel, between hotel and airport)
• Meals up to $62 per day, per person
• Expenses up to one day before and one day after the event
• NOTE: OSRD cannot reimburse membership fees or dues, even if included in the cost of conference registration.

Common Student Conferences and Approximate Times

To apply for funding click here!

Identity Affirmation Fund

Description: The Identity Affirmation Fund is dedicated to supporting individuals who are pursuing legal name changes to affirm their true identities. This scholarship aims to alleviate the financial burden associated with legal name and gender marker changes, empowering recipients to embrace their authentic selves without financial constraints.

Eligibility Criteria:

· Identifies as transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, or any other gender minority.

· Currently undergoing or planning to undergo a legal name change and/or gender marker change to affirm their gender identity.

· Demonstrates financial need.

· Enrolled as a medical student at UC Davis School of Medicine.

Award Amount: The scholarship award amount is a one-time award of $500 per person as funds are available (reimbursement only). Typically, awards will cover some or all of the expenses associated with the legal name change and gender marker change process.

Application Process:

1. Submit Application: Applicants must complete the online application form, providing personal information and a brief statement outlining their need for financial assistance with a legal name change. 

2. Provide Documentation: As with all OSRD individual funding opportunities applicants must submit their FASFA Student Aid Index (SAI) Reports, showing significant financial need and proof of good standing from the UC Davis School of Medicine, Office of the Registrar. Documentation must be submitted to hs-osrd@ucdavis.edu at the time of application submission.

3. Review and Selection: A committee within the Office of Student and Resident Diversity will review all applications based on eligibility criteria and financial need.

4. Notification: Recipients will be notified via email within 2 weeks of the request and must confirm acceptance of the funding award within a 2 week time frame.

5. Funds Disbursement: Reimbursement funding will be disbursed directly to the recipient to cover expenses related to the legal name change process.

6. Application Deadline: There is no application deadline. Funding awards will be provided based on eligibility and available funding.

Contact Information: For inquiries or further assistance, please contact hs-osrd@ucdavis.edu.

Application Link: https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e3Xm1BmvQV49hEq 

Additional Resources:

Related CA Courts Self-Help Guides: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/name-change/name-match-gender-adult 

Related CA Courts Self-Help Guides: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/gender-recognition 

Related CA Courts Self-Help Guides: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/fee-waiver 

Advocates for Trans Equality: https://transequality.org/documents/state/california 

UC Davis LGBTQIA Resource Center Info on Name and Gender Changes for Students: https://lgbtqia.ucdavis.edu/name-gender-changes