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On Monday, May 14, 2012, we received the sad news that Cuba has temporarily suspended its medical scholarship program at the Latin American School of Medicine due to economic constraints created in part by the U.S. government’s economic blockade against the island. This painful development has strengthened our resolve to fight to end the illegal and immoral U.S. blockade of Cuba!

IFCO has been the proud administrator of the scholarship program for U.S. students since 2001 and we remain grateful for the wonderful gift that the Cuban People has offered the world with its generous medical scholarship program.

To date the program has graduated 66 doctors from the U.S. who are now preparing for or are in residency at hospitals across the U.S. and nineteen new doctors from the U.S. will graduate this summer. 

We know that these young doctors who received a world-class medical education in Cuba will make a real difference in the lives of families in underserved areas that lack the kind of medical care they deserve.

At great sacrifice the Cuban Government is maintaining its commitment to the students currently enrolled in the school. At present, 104 U.S. students are currently attending the school. In addition, 20 students are starting the medical program this August 2012. We have the commitment from the Cuban Government that all these students are going to continue with their scholarship until they complete the medical program. This is marvelous!

Think about the example Cuba has set: Despite the 50+ years of a hostile U.S. foreign policy, Cuba has provided a free medical school education to dozens of U.S. students and thousands across the globe.

Regrettably, until further notice, no further applications for the scholarship program are available. We will update this information if there are any changes. Read more >