A medical education, even a highly subsidised one such as the NUS undergraduate course, remains expensive to many. A recent survey by the NUS Medical Society found that about 21%, or 250 medical students in the NUS undergraduate course, have a monthly household income of less than $3,000. Another 26% come from households that earn between $3,000 to $5,000 a month.

There are a number of bursaries, financial assistance schemes and loans which can help pay for the NUS tuition fees, but what about basic living expenses for the poorer students? We know some of these students have managed by giving tuition – unfortunately, at the expense of their own studies.

The same survey found that a NUS medical student needs at least $4,410 a year to survive day-to-day (transport, food, books and miscellaneous), or $367.50 a month.

To help the poorer students with their basic living expenses, and in partnership with the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and with the support of the NUS Development Office, SMA has set up the SMA MEDICAL STUDENTS’ ASSISTANCE FUND. This is a long-term commitment by SMA and we will match dollar-to-dollar donations from SMA members and well-wishers, up to a maximum of $20,000 a year. All donations collected will go directly to the students, and will not become part of an endowment fund. Monetary donations in any amount will also qualify for double tax exemption.

(All contributions received before 25 December 2008 will be eligible for tax exemption for the 2008 year of assessment. Contributions received after that will be eligible for the 2009 year of assessment.)

The tax receipt will be issued by National University of Singapore. NUS, as an approved Institution of a Public Character (IPC), can provide the donors tax-deduction receipts for donations made to the University.

We urge SMA members to support this worthwhile endeavour – because medical students are already members of the medical profession and medical students are our future.


HOW YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

1) MAKE A DONATION
Donations of any amount are welcome. You can make a one-time donation, or even monthly or annual contributions. Payments can be made by cheque or credit card. Cheques should be made payable to “National University of Singapore”. Please indicate on the back of the cheque that it is for the “SMA Medical Students’ Assistance Fund”. Please CLICK HERE for the donation form.

Please return the donation form to:

SMA Medical Students' Assistance Fund
c/o Development Office
National University of Singapore
University Hall, Lee Kong Chian Wing, UHL-03-01
21 Lower Kent Ridge Road
Singapore 119077
Tel: 6516 8000
Fax: 6775 9161
Email: askdvo@nus.edu.sg

You can also donate online at www.giving.nus.edu.sg/medicalbursary.

2) ADOPT-A-MEDICAL-STUDENT
Pledge at least $1,800 and you would have helped to cover at least half a year of the medical student’s basic living expenses. Payments can be made by cheque or credit card. Cheques should be made payable to “National University of Singapore”. Please CLICK HERE for the donation form.

Please return the donation form to:

SMA Medical Students' Assistance Fund
c/o Development Office
National University of Singapore
University Hall, Lee Kong Chian Wing, UHL-03-01
21 Lower Kent Ridge Road
Singapore 119077
Tel: 6516 8000
Fax: 6775 9161
Email: askdvo@nus.edu.sg

We thank you for your support of the "SMA Medical Students’ Assistance Fund".