GH Summer Scholarship: Requirements & Payment of Award

The following information pertains to requirements of the the GH Summer Scholarship and payment of the award. Click here for the GH Summer Scholarship main page (basic description and application). Contact Ana Gregory with questions about the program.

Disclaimer: The following information pertains to the 2026 application cycle although changes for 2027 are not likely to be significant. Information for the 2027 application cycle will be posted here in late, 2026.

Academic/Procedural Requirements of the Student

Students who receive a scholarship must:

  1. Be in good academic standing (perform at a passing level in all courses) and eligible for promotion to the second year. For funding purposes, the research committee will prioritize applications from students who are in good standing, without remediation, after discussion with SEIC (Student Early Identification Committee).
  2. Complete their project/program for the length of time specified in their application. If plans change, students may be required to return the funds received or a corresponding percentage of these funds.
  3. Complete the items listed in ‘Required Responsibilities of Student Before Departure’ (below) prior to departure.
  4. Complete the following by August 1:

Required Responsibilities of Student Before Departure

Students who receive a scholarship must meet the following requirements prior to departure:

  1. Complete “Parts 1 and 2 of the Practitioner’s Guide to Global Health by the last day of the spring semester. The Practitioner’s Guide to Global Health is a Blackboard course for which students must be enrolled to complete the material. Email Ana Gregory no later than May 1 to be enrolled and obtain access to the curriculum.
  2. Get Immunized:
    • Students are advised to make an appointment with the BMC Travel Clinic or a clinic of their choice. The appointment should be at least 3 months before departure for vaccinations to take effect. Students should contact their insurance carrier before making an appointment to see what is covered.
    • For students with Aetna Student Health (BU health plan): Do not make an appointment for this purpose with BU Student Health Services as they do not handle these types of appointments. If you plan to use the BMC Travel Clinic, your physical exam may not be covered by Aetna if you have already had an exam by your primary care physician during the same calendar year.
  3. Review PEP Guidelines: Review guidelines for blood-borne pathogen exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and discuss this with the physician during your travel clinic appointment. If you are going to a site where PEP will not be available, ask for a PEP prescription from your physician. See page 2 of the guidelines for pre-travel preparation.
  4. Review International Medical and Evacuation Insurance & Download App:
    • BU students undertaking BU-sponsored travel are automatically covered by BU’s international medical and evacuation insurance through International SOS which provides travel assistance services. This program is designed to keep you healthy, safe and secure while you are traveling abroad.
    • Before departure, download the app to your phone here: International SOS – The app provides “access to vital information on your current location or travel destination, including country guides and information about ongoing and developing medical and security situations.”
    • Explore the following site for info on medical and evacuation insurance coverage: Global Activity Support.
  5. Attend Pre-Departure Session with Dr. Leanza: Dr. Leanza will meet with all scholars in April/May to discuss preparation for your trip. You will be informed of this session by Ana Gregory.
  6. Register Your Travel Plans with BU and the State Department:
    • Register with the BU International Travel Registry: In accordance with the BU International Travel Risk Policy, medical students are required to register their travel before undertaking any university-sponsored international travel. The Registry enables emergency communication between you and BU while you are abroad.
    • Register with U.S. State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service that allows U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trips with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. This allows the US Embassy to contact travelers in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency. It will also help family and friends contact the traveler in an emergency.
  7. Visit these sites for country-specific information: 
    • U.S. Department of State. Check this site periodically before departure. Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine will not give credit or support to a medical student in a country where a Dept. of State travel warning of level 3 or 4 is in effect unless otherwise approved.
    • U.S. Students Abroad (U.S. Department of State)
    • Traveler’s Health (CDC) . Review travel notices for your destination country: country description (government, language, climate), local laws and customs, safety (e.g., using public transport, using currency), food and water, etc.
  8. Review Pre-Departure Checklist and Communication Guide

Payment of GH Summer Scholarships (Stipends)

GH Summer Scholarships are considered stipends that are awarded and directly distributed to students through the MyBU Student Portal at the end of May. To guarantee timely disbursement of funds, students must link their bank account information through the Nelnet’s Student Choice Refunds (SCR) Profile which can be done on the MyBU Student.

Non-service stipends are not considered wages; they are intended to help recipients defray living or other expenses while conducting research. Stipend recipients will not receive a 1099 tax form at the end of the year, but all recipients are responsible for independently reporting the income to IRS on their tax returns.

International students will have 14% withheld in taxes and will receive a 1042S form for the amount that the University withheld by late March the following year, unless they can claim tax treaty exemption. International students can contact the Payroll Office at nrapay@bu.edu for further assistance regarding tax treaty exemptions.

Support from Other Sources

GH Summer Scholarships are granted to those students who are in financial need. While funding from multiple sources is encouraged, the total amount of support granted to a student should not exceed the amount required to undertake the experience. For example, if a student is entirely funded by a private foundation, they should not apply for the GH Summer Scholarship.