Podiatric medical students face strenuous financial obstacles they couldn’t have imagined when applying to schools just a few years ago. Many of these outstanding students are graduating with more than $200,000 in debt. Education, housing, and travel costs are on the rise.
Since 2005, the APMA Educational Foundation has been there for podiatric medical students. Last year, while supporting more than 170 students with $1,500 scholarships, we also awarded $90,000 in enhanced aid. We provided financial aid to first-generation students, those with acute need, and to the winner and runners-up of the APMA-PICA full-tuition fellowship. In total, the Foundation awarded $330,000 to 192 students.
We can’t continue to do this crucial work without the support of state associations. This spring, we invite you to keep the Educational Foundation in mind as you budget for the year. If you’re ready to donate now, jump-start our fundraising and challenge other states to step up by going to APMA.org/donate. To record a pledge, send an email to Samantha Jorich, Development coordinator, with the amount and association to be credited.
Your leadership and early support will challenge every component to rally together for our cause. Be the reason that students feel supported in their dreams, relieved for their financial futures, and invigorated to push the profession forward. Thank you, and we hope to see you at the House of Delegates in March.
Sincerely,
Laura Pickard, DPM
President, APMA Educational Foundation