NBME NMF Scholarship Fund: Eligibility Requirements and Opportunities
The National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) and National Medical Fellowships (NMF) are partnering to offer financial assistance to medical students pursuing their dreams of becoming physicians. This article outlines the eligibility requirements for the NBME Fee Assistance program, administered in collaboration with NMF, and also explores other scholarship opportunities available to medical students.
Introduction to the NBME Fee Assistance Program
Recognizing the financial strain that medical students often face, the NBME has established a Fee Assistance program to support those with demonstrated financial need. This program aims to alleviate the economic barriers that can hinder a student's progress toward completing their medical education. Through the 2025 Fee Assistance program, NBME aims to reduce financial strain for learners with economic barriers and support their development.
NBME NMF Fee Assistance: Key Details
Established in 2024 by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), this assistance award will provide $680 awards to 1340 medical students who have registered and taken the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK exam in 2025 to offset the cost of exam registration fees. To help administer this program, NBME is partnering with National Medical Fellowships (NMF), a national nonprofit that has nurtured generations of medical practitioners by providing scholarships and professional training to advance health care workforce development to address the growing physician shortage.
Eligibility Requirements for the NBME Fee Assistance Program
To be eligible for the NBME Fee Assistance program, applicants must meet specific criteria. These requirements are designed to ensure that the assistance is directed to those who genuinely need it and are committed to upholding the integrity of the USMLE examination process.
- Financial Need: Applicants must be able to demonstrate financial need. NMF utilizes two reports for verification of financial aid and medical debt.
- USMLE Registration and Examination: Applicants must have registered and taken the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK exam in 2025, by or before the fee assistance application closes. Registered in 2024 for the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK exam.
- Valid USMLE ID: Applicants must provide a valid USMLE ID number. Be sure to have your USMLE ID ready when applying.
- No Irregular Behavior: Applicants must not have been referred to a committee and found to have engaged in Irregular Behavior or otherwise reviewed for policy violations in relation to any USMLE or NBME exam.
It's important to note that the Fee Assistance program is open to anyone who is taking the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK in 2025. Be sure your eligibility is up to date for the current academic year. You will be unable to see new opportunities until this is complete.
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Application Process and Timeline
Planning to apply for the NBME Educational Assistance Award for USMLE Fee Assistance? Your timing matters, so double-check that your exam date falls within the eligible testing windows listed on our site. We want to make sure every step toward your future in medicine is supported!
Applications for NBME’s Fee Assistance program are open until October 16. Applications for this cycle of NBME’s Fee Assistance program are open until Aug. 24. Applications are open until Aug. 24 to support students with demonstrated financial need.
Understanding the Award
It's crucial to understand that the NBME Fee Assistance program is a reimbursement, not a waiver. Applicants should already have taken the test by the time awardees are selected. Medical students with demonstrated financial need are encouraged to apply for a $680 award to be used toward the registration cost of the United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®). NBME’s Fee Assistance program will provide aid to approximately 1,300 medical students to offset their fees for USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) examinations in 2025.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities for Medical Students
While the NBME Fee Assistance program provides valuable support for USMLE registration fees, medical students can also explore other scholarship opportunities to help finance their education. Here are some examples:
- TYLENOL® Scholarship Fund: Each year the makers of TYLENOL® award annual scholarships to well-deserving students pursuing careers in healthcare.
- Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Medical School Scholarship: The funds are to be used toward his or her continued education in medical school.
- The Law Offices of Joseph J.: Provider: The Law Offices of Joseph J.
- BoardVitals Scholarship: BoardVitals is committed to helping students pursue their medical education and successfully make an impact in their field post-graduation.
- AvaCare Medical Scholarship: The AvaCare Medical Scholarship recognizes those who are working to better the lives of our customers, students who are pursuing a degree in the medical field, with a prize of $1000 toward college tuition.
- AICA Ortho Joint & Chiro Clinic Scholarship: AICA is a multi-specialty ortho, joint, and chiro clinic that is looking to give back to the community and help one student with financial assistance for their educational expenses.
- Headbang For Science Scholarship: Headbang For Science, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is an annual scholarship award for high school seniors, undergrads, and grad students pursuing careers in healthcare and/or the physical sciences that also love heavy metal music.
- The Laborde Earles Law Firm LLC Cancer Scholarship: The Laborde Earles Law Firm LLC invites college students to apply for the Cancer Scholarship.
- Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship: The Michael Moody Fitness Scholarship is a college scholarship of $1,500 awarded to a high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement, participation and leadership in school activities and work experience, and interest in pursuing a career in the health and fitness related fields. The student may apply and use the money for education-related expenses, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, and board.
- LocumJobsOnline.com Scholarship: LocumJobsOnline.com is awarding one (1) $1,000 scholarship to students. Applicant must be a pre-med student, medical student, or Ph. D.
- ExploreMedicalCareers.com Scholarships: Every year, ExploreMedicalCareers.com offers three scholarships to students on their way to becoming medical professionals.
Additional Scholarship Programs with Service Commitments
Some scholarships come with a service commitment after graduation. These programs provide substantial financial support in return for a service commitment.
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- Armed Forces Scholarships/National Health Service Corps Scholarships/Indian Health Scholarships: Once such an award is accepted, all GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences scholarship to the student is rescinded. The federal government sponsors the National Public Service Corps Scholarship Program. These very competitive awards carry a service commitment after your residency in an underserved area in the United States. The IHS Scholarship Program provides qualified American Indian and Alaska Native health professions students an opportunity to establish an educational foundation for each stage of your pre-professional careers. Each carries a service commitment.
These scholarships are available to a limited number of applicants. The scholarship provides full payment of direct educational costs (tuition, fees, books, etc.) and a stipend for living expenses. You may obtain descriptive brochures and applications for these programs by contacting their respective recruiter or recruitment office.
Other Financial Aid Considerations
Students should also be aware of other financial aid considerations that may affect their eligibility for scholarships or require adjustments to their financial aid packages.
- Outside Awards: Students are expected to notify the MD Program Office of Financial Aid when an outside award is received. Federal regulations and school policy require that the financial aid award be adjusted when a student receives outside aid.
- Overawards: During the course of the school year, a student may receive additional funding beyond the budgeted amount. If this occurs, any overaward must be repaid.
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