Application Checklist
Notice to WICHE/WWAMI Applicants - Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine Only
SUBJECT: Montana Rural Physician Incentive Program
The Montana Rural Physician Incentive Program (MRPIP) was authorized by the 1991 Montana Legislature and amended during both the 1997 and 2007 legislative sessions in an effort to encourage primary care physicians to practice in medically underserved areas of Montana. Towards this end, the Rural Physician Incentive Trust Fund was established to facilitate payment of qualified educational debts of rural physicians who practice in areas of the state that are medically underserved and that demonstrate the need for assistance in physician recruitment.
As mandated by the law, the trust is funded through a tuition surcharge assessed to all Montana allopathic and osteopathic medical students who are supported by the State of Montana pursuant to the WICHE and WWAMI medical education programs. Therefore, as a condition of receiving state support through either the WICHE or WWAMI programs, all medicine and osteopathic medicine students are required to pay an annual tuition surcharge throughout the duration of their professional program. This surcharge is calculated at 16% of the WICHE medical and osteopathic support fees. For the 2009/2010 academic year, the fee is anticipated to be approximately $4,528 for medical students and $3,008 for osteopathic medical students. This fee increases incrementally each year as the support fees increase. This fee is payable by November 1st each year. It is important to note, that in the event you are one of the funded students to receive state support through either of these exchange programs, you will be required to pay this fee annually and should plan to incorporate it into your financial aid requests.
Under the current law, physicians electing to practice in rural underserved areas of Montana may apply to the Board of Regents for repayment benefits. Applicants who have paid the tuition surcharge during their participation in the WICHE and WWAMI programs are given preference in participation over other applicants. Program benefits currently allow payment of up to $45,000 in total toward the qualified educational loans of participating health professionals over a one- to five-year period of service or a proportionately reduced amount for a shorter period. Effective July 2009 the maximum repayment benefit for new participants will increase to $100,000 over a one- to five-year period of service.
If you have any questions regarding this fee assessment or the Montana Rural Physician Incentive Program, please contact Laurie Tobol, State Certifying Officer, at (406) 444-0322 or via email.
