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Free Tuition Program for Physicians
On July 24, 2000, the government announced the Free Tuition Program. This program provides up to $40,000 (or $10,000 per year) to final-year medical students, residents and newly graduated physicians, to offset tuition costs in exchange for a full-time return-of-service in an eligible community. Return-of-service opportunities exist across the province from Kenora to Windsor. In addition, the Free Tuition Program has been complemented with the Location Incentive Fund, which may provide Free Tuition recipients with additional financial incentives if the applicant's tuition is less than $10,000 per year. The Free Tuition Program offers grants of up to $40,000.00 (or $10,000 per year) in exchange for a three or four year return-of-service commitment in an underserviced/undersupplied area in Ontario. The program has two components: the reimbursement of medical undergraduate tuition fees and a location incentive fund. When combined, the funds will provide candidates with up to $40,000 (or $10,000 per year) in exchange for a return-of-service commitment. Funds will be reimbursed equal to the actual tuition paid by the applicant for medical undergraduate tuition fees up to a maximum of $10,000 per year. The Location Incentive Fund may provide Free Tuition recipients with additional financial incentives if the applicant's tuition is less than $10,000 per year. The tuition component will be paid upon application and the location incentive will be paid once the Return-of-Service Agreement commences. How does the Free Tuition Program work?
The Free Tuition Program is offered to students in their final year of medical undergraduate studies, trainees in postgraduate studies and new physicians. It is made up of two parts, the Tuition Grant and the Location Incentive Fund. Tuition GrantThe government will reimburse funds equal to the actual tuition paid by the applicant for undergraduate medical education, up to a maximum of $10,000 per year (for a maximum of four years or $40,000). All applicants will be required to provide the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care with proof of tuition payment and sign a contract agreeing to return service in an underserviced/undersupplied community upon graduation and licensure. For final year medical undergraduates, applications will be processed following the Canadian Residency Matching Service (CaRMS). For postgraduate trainees, and new physicians, the Ministry will process applications immediately upon receipt. In order to be eligible to apply, candidates must make application to the Ministry and begin their return of service within six month of the completion of residency training. Applications submitted beyond the six month deadline will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The tuition funds will be paid to the applicant when the application is approved. Location Incentive FundAs an additional financial incentive to return service in an underserviced community, a separate fund called the Location Incentive Fund has been established for Free Tuition Program participants. The amount of the Location Incentive Fund grant is the difference between the tuition funds paid and the cap of $10,000 per year. For example, if a candidate received a total of $16,000 for tuition over four years (i.e., $4,000/yr), the candidate will also receive an additional $24,000 (i.e., $6,000/yr) through the Location Incentive Fund. The Location Incentive Fund grant will be paid directly to the candidate once they begin their return-of-service obligation. Who is eligible to apply?
The program is available to final year medical students, residents and physicians who recently completed their training. All applicants must have been enrolled in a residency program funded by the Ministry of Health in one of the provinces of Canada. How does an interested candidate apply?
The Free Tuition Program Grant Application Form (3748-88) is available on this web site, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Why is the Free Tuition Program available only to medical students in their final year of undergraduate study?
There is a long duration (six to ten years) between entering medical school and completing postgraduate training. Students in early years may not be certain about their specialty. The Free Tuition Program targets students who are certain of the specialty in which they will train and who are closer to practising. Medical students in their final year of undergraduate studies are clear of their specialty after the Canadian Residency Matching Service (CaRMS) match. Those in postgraduate training are already undergoing specialty training. This will facilitate matching the specialty with those on the list of underserviced areas and undersupplied specialties and reduce the rate of students withdrawing from the program. Also, receiving the funds after the CaRMS match in the final year of medical school will not affect eligibility for OSAP funding. How long does it take to process the application?
It takes at least four weeks to process an application after the applicant has provided all the necessary information. Physicians interested in the program are encouraged to provide as much lead-time as possible to ensure that everything is in order. How will funds be paid?
All payments will be made by direct bank deposit. At the time of application, candidates will be asked to include a blank, voided cheque for the account they wish to be used for payment. Should banking information change, the candidate will need to advise the Ministry as soon as possible to ensure deposits are not delayed. Are there any tax implications?
The funds provided through the Free Tuition Program and the Location Incentive Fund are subject to federal and provincial income tax. Applicants will be provided with the option of a lump sum payment or deferred payments (over up to a four-year period) to minimize tax implications. Will the Free Tuition Program affect eligibility for OSAP?
No. A student's eligibility for OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Plan) during undergraduate medical education is not affected when the tuition amount is reimbursed at the end of the final year of medical undergraduate studies or later in postgraduate training. How will the length of return-of-service be determined?
Upon successful completion of postgraduate training and licensure, Free Tuition recipients will be required to practice in a community identified as underserviced/undersupplied for family physicians or selected specialties. The length of service will match the number of years tuition is reimbursed (i.e., year for year), for a minimum of three years or a maximum of four years. How does this apply to the three-year McMaster University program?
For McMaster University, three years of medical undergraduate tuition is roughly equal to four years tuition at other Ontario medical schools. Therefore, if all years of medical undergraduate tuition are reimbursed to a candidate, it will be considered equivalent to four years of tuition and will require a four-year return of service commitment. Is it possible to apply for less than three-years' tuition?
Candidates may opt to apply for tuition funding for one or two years. The program requires a minimum three-year return of service commitment so candidates may wish to re-consider that decision and apply for three years of tuition or four years (which requires the maximum return-of-service commitment of four years). Am I eligible for maternity leave?
Yes. Female physicians are eligible for maternity leave benefits as outlined under the relevant Ontario Medical Association (OMA) and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care agreement at the time of maternity leave. Which communities are eligible for return-of-service?
The List of Areas Designated as Underserviced (LADAU) for General/Family Practitioners displays practices opportunities across the province. The LADAU for Specialists displays practice opportunities in Northern Ontario. The candidate will have a choice of return-of-service locations based on any of the LADAU lists. The candidate is expected to confirm their choice of community and begin their return-of-service within six months of completion of postgraduate training. The Ministry will update the lists on an on-going basis as vacancies become filled or new opportunities become available. Therefore, the return-of-service locations will be more clearly defined to the candidate once the candidate is closer to completing postgraduate training. How will return-of-service sites be determined for specialists who wish to return service in the southern part of the province?
In order to determine where there is an undersupply of specialist services in southern Ontario, the community must meet the criteria for being considered undersupplied as well as be on the Underserviced Area Program's LADAU for GP/FPs. The ministry will review geographic areas on a county-by-county basis to determine eligibility. In order to determine if a community is geographically undersupplied, the 2001 census information for the community and county is identified. The physician-to-population ratio, as recommended by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, is applied to the county population figure to determine the number of specialists which are required to serve that population. The number of physicians practicing in each area is obtained through the Ontario Physician Human Resource Data Centre. The number of specialists that are available is compared to the number of specialists that should be available. If the data identifies that there are 75% or less than the number of specialists that are recommended by the ratio, and the community is on the LADAU list for GP/FPs, the community meets the criteria and is considered geographically undersupplied and a Free Tuition recipient may opt to fulfil his/her return-of-service obligations in that community. In addition to selecting an identified undersupplied county, candidates will be required to approach hospitals in the identified counties to ensure that the infrastructure is available to support their addition to the medical complement in the community. To further assist you in your search for a compatible community you may also wish to contact the Community Development Officers for southwestern, southcentral, eastern, northwestern, northeastern and northern Ontario for more information on communities looking for physicians. Please contact : CDO Southwestern : serves the counties of Bruce, Elgin, Essex, Grey, Huron, Kent, Lambton, Middlesex, Oxford and Perth. Laurie Roberts CDO South Central : serves the counties of Brant, Dufferin, Durham, Haldimand-Norfolk, Haliburton, Halton, Hamilton-Wentworth, Niagara, Northumberland, Peel, Peterborough, Simcoe, Toronto Region, Victoria, Waterloo, Wellington and York as well as Dundalk, Markdale and Owen Sound in Grey County. Ashley Colter CDO Eastern : serves the counties of Frontenac, Hastings, Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Lennox and Addington, Ottawa Carleton, Prescott-Russell, Prince Edward, Renfrew and Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. Bruce Maitland CDO Northwest : serves the districts of Kenora, Rainy River and Thunder Bay as well as the Towns of Hornepayne and Wawa in Algoma District. Shannon O'Donnell CDO Northeast : serves the districts of Algoma, Manitoulin, Muskoka, Nipissing, Parry Sound and Sudbury. Jackie Thoms CDO Northern : serves the districts of Timiskaming & Cochrane as well as the Township of Chapleau in the Sudbury Position Vacant (contact Jackie Thoms) When do I have to apply?
Applicants can apply to the program anytime from their final year of medical school up to six months after completion of their residency training. When does return-of-service start?
The term of return-of-service will be equal to the number of years free tuition was reimbursed and shall begin at a time mutually agreed upon (by the candidate and the community/employer) within six (6) months of the completion of residency training. Applicants must have both applied for and begun their ROS within six (6) months of the completion of residency training. Can return-of-service be done on a part-time basis?
No, return-of-service must be completed on a full-time basis and cannot be deferred. Do I need to have hospital privileges?
Yes, you must have hospital privileges to be eligible for the Free Tuition Program. How do I go about arranging return-of-service with a community?
There are a variety of ways to explore practice opportunities. Attending the annual Health Professionals Recruitment Tour - held at each Health Sciences Centre every fall will allow an opportunity to interact with community representatives from many of the underserviced/undersupplied communities across the province. Contacting the Community Development Officer in the geographic area for which candidates have a preference is an option. The candidate may call or write to the community contact indicated on the LADAU to arrange a visit to the community and hospital/facility and meetings with key personnel to find out more about the service needs of the community, the operation of the facility, hours of service per week in specialty (e.g., emergency on-call, operating time) expected start dates, etc. Once a candidate has chosen a community, s/he and the community/hospital/facility agree on a return-of-service commitment. The community contact and/or hospital/ facility/agency administrator must confirm this commitment by completing and signing the Addendum to the Return-of-Service Contract. Once the candidate and the community contact sign the Addendum, it should be sent to the Ministry for approval and signature. Upon review and approval by the Ministry, copies of the signed Addendum will be sent to all parties. Does an applicant who is not in the final year of training need to choose a return-of-service community immediately?
Upon application, a candidate will be required to sign a contract agreeing to return service in an underserviced/undersupplied community upon graduation and licensure. The Ministry requires that the candidate commit to and begin their return-of-service in their chosen community within six months of completing their residency program. Candidates are invited to contact the Underserviced Area Program for a list of eligible communities. Physicians and their spouses may also be eligible for the "Community Visit Program" to assess practice opportunities. Please contact Underserviced Area Program at (705) 564-7280, prior to arranging your travel plans regarding your eligibility for these funds. How is a return-of-service commitment secured between a Free Tuition candidate and a specific community?
In order to secure a position, there must be agreement between the candidate and the community about his/her return-of-service commitment. Candidates must ask the community contact to complete and sign the Addendum to the Return-of-Service Contract, thus confirming that all parties (i.e., physician, community/facility/agency and Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care) are agreeable to the return-of-service commitment being served in the particular community, and that such service will commence within six months of completion of training. The Ministry will not approve a return-of-service commitment prior to receiving a copy of the Addendum signed by the candidate and an appropriate community contact. What if an underserviced community has questions about making this commitment?
There must be agreement between the candidate and the community about his/her return-of-service commitment. If an agreement has been reached but the community refuses to confirm the appointment in writing, please contact the Underserviced Area Program, Tel : (705) 564-7280 or by fax at (705) 564-7493. What happens if there is more Free Tuition Program candidates interested in a community than there are practice opportunities?
The community has the right to choose the physicians it feels would best meet the needs of the community. What happens if a candidate has a formal agreement with a specific return-of-service community and decides s/he would prefer to return service in another community?
By signing an Addendum to the Return-of-Service Contract an applicant makes a commitment to the government and a specific community. Should an applicant decide they would like to relocate to another underserviced/undersupplied community, all parties must be in agreement. Any changes to the Return-of-Service Contract must be agreed to in writing and signed by all parties (the physician, community/facility/agency and Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care). Changes to a Return-of-Service Contract will be considered on a case by case basis. What are the consequences for breaching the return-of-service agreement?
A recipient who breaches the return-of-service agreement will be required to pay back the funds (both for Free Tuition and the Location Incentive Fund) at an interest rate equivalent to the Ontario Student Assistance Plan (currently prime +1%), pro-rated to recognize completed return-of-service. An administrative fee of $5,000 will also be applied. Why is the Ministry applying an administrative fee on top of the interest rate for breaching the return-of-service contract?
Tracking applicants in multiple years of training, in various locations within and outside the province over an extended period of time, is extremely complex and labour intensive. For this reason, an administrative fee to offset these costs for candidates who breach their return-of-service contract is applied. How will funds be recovered if a candidate breaches his/her contract?
Should an applicant breach his/her contract, s/he will be advised in writing of the amount owed. At that time, the physician will be provided with details about who and where to mail a cheque in the amount owing. The return-of-service contract that the applicant will be required to sign will contain a clause which allows the Ministry to retrieve any outstanding amounts from the physician's OHIP billings should other collection avenues fail. Repayment must begin within three months of the contract's breach. Will those in the Free Tuition Program be eligible to apply to any other incentive programs during their return-of-service?
Yes. In addition to the Location Incentive Fund grant, which may be available to tuition grant candidates, the Free Tuition Program is being offered along with other existing incentive programs as an added incentive. Successful applicants to the Free Tuition Program may also apply to other incentive programs, thereby in some cases doubling the financial incentive offered. However, specialists locating in southern Ontario are not eligible to receive grants from the existing incentive programs as they are only geared to northern specialists and those in family medicine who locate in eligible communities. What are the other incentive programs?
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has implemented a number of initiatives to recruit and retain physicians in underserviced communities. Candidates to the Free Tuition Program may also be eligible to apply to the following existing programs : Rural and Northern Physician Group Agreement (RNPGA) – provides several benefits for physicians including: guaranteed remuneration; overhead funding; specialized service incentives; funding for 24 hour on-call or emergency department coverage; access to locums for up to 37 days leave per year; and maternity benefits for up to 17 weeks at 50% of salary. Incentive Grant for Family Physicians program offers $40,000 (over four years) to family physicians who set up practice in eligible communities in Northern Ontario, and $15,000 (over four years) to family doctors filling a vacancy in an eligible community in southern Ontario. Incentive Grants for Specialists program offers $20,000 (over four years) to specialists who set up practice in eligible communities in Northern Ontario. A second grant of $20,000 (over four years) is available to specialists who provide outreach services to approved communities in Northern Ontario. Psychiatrists who set up full time practices in an eligible community in Northern Ontario may apply for an incentive grant of $40,000 (over four years). Northern Funded Group Practice and Community Sponsored Contracts provide income to family doctors who practice in a small northern community for the full scope of primary care service delivery (e.g. primary care + overhead base). See page two on the LADAU for General/Family Physicians for more information about Community Sponsored Contracts. Do candidates need to ensure the Ministry has current addresses and phone numbers?
It is your responsibility to keep the Ministry informed of your change of address as long as you are in the program. Please contact the Underserviced Area Program at : Is there assistance to obtain housing in the communities designated as underserviced?
The community contacts may be able to assist you in finding an apartment or a house. Does the Ministry provide reimbursement of moving expenses?
The Ministry does not provide funds for moving expenses. Will the Ministry assist spouses in obtaining employment?
There are no provisions to assist a spouse to find employment. However many communities assist in securing employment for a physician's spouse. This matter should be discussed with the local officials. How does the Ministry determine eligibility?
In order to be eligible for the Free Tuition Program, an applicant must meet all of the following requirements :
What is required to apply to the Free Tuition Program?
To apply for the program, the following documents are required :
The application must be completed and approved in writing by the North Region, Health Care Programs. Approval of the Addendum to the Return-of-Service Agreement must be obtained within six months of graduating from residency and prior to commencing practice in the eligible return-of-service community. Applications will not be approved retroactively. See also : |
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Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Primary Health Care Team Underserviced Area Program 159 Cedar Street, Suite 402 Sudbury ON P3E 6A5 Tel : (705) 564-7280 or 1-866-727-9959 Fax : (705) 564-7493 |
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