Here at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, financial aid for the first year only covers until classes end at the beginning of June. Students are not typically enrolled in course credits during the Summer between the first and second years of medical school. This gap of financial aid coverage is problematic for many medical students who otherwise would not be able to cover costs of living.
This year, though, a new mentored scholarly activity (MSA) Summer elective course has allowed the school to plug the gap of financial aid coverage. Everyone has to complete a MSA project as a graduation requirement, and some students choose to do the bulk of the work during this "last free Summer" between the first and second years. Such students now have the option of signing up for this MSA Summer elective. Since these credits count toward a graduation requirement, students enrolled in this course are eligible for financial aid.
This makes my life much easier.
