Student Elective Term (SET)

Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship (MHF) encourages persons studying for healthcare professions at the master’s level and above, or the rising junior/senior level in BSN programs, to learn and serve in underserved areas, especially cross-cultural mission/service  settings. To further this goal, MHF provides educational grant funding for  students to travel for a Student Elective Term (SET).

Most graduate level programs have an elective term during their final year of study. This is an opportunity  for students to enrich their education, to make a meaningful contribution in the delivery of healthcare in a  cross-cultural setting, and to engage in Christian service and witness through their chosen profession. 

Program: The SET program draws upon the considerable experience and expertise of MHF members  who have lived and worked in underresoourced settings both domestically and in developing countries. The grant is intended  to provide for travel and living expenses beyond the normal educational expenses. MHF also helps as needed with facilitation of placements.

SET students will be engaged in educational and service activities in the context of a cross-cultural,  underserved environment. Students will be supervised on site by a qualified preceptor or clinical  instructor. By coordinating this opportunity with the student’s educational program and institution,  students can usually get approval and credit for the elective.

For more information, view and download: SET Introduction

 Eligibility for SET

Examples of eligible students:

• Medical and dental students
• Students in public health programs
• Junior/Senior level BSN students
• Physical therapy students
• Masters in Social Work students and other students in healthcare-related fields at the masters or doctoral level.

Eligibility Requirements in brief:

1. Students in any healthcare-related graduate or BSN program may apply.
2. Student must be a member of Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship.  Students may apply for membership along with their program application.
3. Student should have a Mentor Sponsor, preferably a current member of MHF.  Please contact the MHF Office for assistance.
4. Student will work with his/her educational program and institution, a sponsoring institution or agency, and a placement site to secure a placement that is supervised on site by a qualified preceptor or clinical instructor.
5. Placement sites shall be in the context of a cross-cultural,  underserved environment,domestically or internationally.
6. Term of service will be at least 4 weeks.

Requirements and a timeline for the application process available by PDF download: SET Requirements & Timeline

Application Process in brief:

1. Contact the MHF Office to express interest.  The office can also send forms by email upon request or you can download them yourself.
2. Download and fill out the application form.  Arrange for SET Reference Request to be sent to three references.  Applications are accepted starting in January for the academic year that begins the following August or September. Email applications are preferred.  Applications and references are due in the MHF Office by May 15th. 
3. Applications are reviewed by a process established by the MHF Board of Directors. MHF expects to offer two grants of up  to $1,000 for 2022-23.  Students will be asked  to submit a budget of travel and living expenses and a receipt from a major expense, typically an airline ticket, housing costs, or other similar item. Up to $750 is then released directly to the student with the remaining $250 paid following  completion of the assignment and a short report to the MHF Office. 
4. Funding is contingent upon students subsequently completing all of the necessary preparations and submitting a letter of acceptance from the placement institution.

Publicity materials for 2022-23

Short announcement for bulletins and newsletters

Flyer for bulletin boards and mailboxes

SET flyer 2022-22

Contact the MHF Office for more information or further assistance.

Participants in SET

SET Grant Recipients this year

Watch the for ongoing updates on SET students this academic year. 

• SET 2019-20

Recent Participants in SET

• SET 2018-19
• SET 2017-18
• SET 2016-17
• SET 2015-16
• SET 2014-15
• SET 2013-14
• SET 2011-13