The third benefit MSTP students receive is the availability of an educational enhancement fund.

This fund can be used for items necessary for a student’s education at UAB. These items include textbooks, medical equipment, USMLE Step 1 and Step 2, USMLE study aides, computers, and/or computer software (Furniture, Clothing, Phones, and iPads are excluded from this list). Please note that computers purchased from NIH funds (training grant/ fellowship) during the PhD phase of the program are the property of UAB, and you may be required to return the computer prior to returning to clinics.

Basic supplies such as notebooks, pens, pencils, file folders, highlighters, and so on will be provided by the MSTP Administrator. Special requests for certain supplies can be submitted to the MSTP Administrator for review and processing. The funds available are:

The total allocation is $4,500 for the entire MSTP training period; however, funds do not carry over between program phases. To ensure timely access to these funds, all MSTP students must set up their direct deposit through UAB BlazerNET. The program carefully tracks the total amount reimbursed per student. Additionally, these educational enhancement funds may be withheld if an MSTP student does not meet program expectations, such as being placed on academic probation.

Using funds for items not listed or for scientific meetings or training courses requires a written request from the MSTP Director for pre-approval.

• Travel will not be approved for the presentation of work not done while at UAB.
• All purchases are subject to approval by the MSTP Office Staff and/or the MSTP Director.

UAB Graduate Student Government Travel Grants

Graduate students in good academic standing who will be enrolled at the time of travel and at the time of reimbursement are eligible for one Travel Award of $400 each academic year and a maximum of two while enrolled at UAB.