PHILADELPHIA, PA — The National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) has unveiled a new Fee Assistance program to help alleviate financial barriers for medical students aspiring to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®). This initiative, specifically designed for students with demonstrated financial need, is a step toward making medical education more accessible and equitable.
To administer this program, NBME has partnered with National Medical Fellowships (NMF), a nonprofit organization renowned for supporting diverse medical practitioners through scholarships and training. This collaboration aims to provide financial aid to approximately 1,300 medical students for their USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) exams in 2024.
Linda Gadsby, NBME’s Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, emphasized the significance of this initiative. “NBME is passionate about supporting the development of physicians through our assessments and the programs and services we provide. Through the Fee Assistance program, NBME aims to reduce the financial strain for learners who confront economic barriers,” she stated. Gadsby highlighted the organization’s commitment to enabling aspiring medical professionals to focus on their academic and career goals without being hindered by financial constraints.
Michellene Davis, President and CEO of NMF, expressed gratitude for the collaboration, noting, “National Medical Fellowships is grateful for this $1 million contribution from NBME to support students on their medical school journey. This program is an important step in leveling the playing field.” The collaboration builds on a previous partnership, the NBME-NMF Scholarship Fund, established in 2023, which provides $10,000 scholarships to ten promising scholars annually.
Eligibility for the Fee Assistance program requires applicants to be U.S. citizens or have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) approval. They must be eligible for the USMLE, enrolled in an LCME- or COCA-accredited medical school in the U.S. or certain Caribbean institutions, registered for the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK in 2024, and hold a valid USMLE ID number. Additionally, they must not have any disciplinary issues related to USMLE or NBME exams.
NBME intends to continually refine the program, assessing its impact and making necessary adjustments for future iterations. Applications for the Fee Assistance program are open until October 16, 2024. This initiative marks a significant effort by NBME to support medical students in overcoming economic challenges, paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive healthcare workforce.
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