The NBME Fee Assistance program is an initiative designed to support approximately 1,300 medical students facing financial barriers by covering registration costs for the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK examinations. Partnering with National Medical Fellowships (NMF), NBME is committed to fostering equity in medical education, ensuring that aspiring physicians can focus on their academic and career goals without financial strain.
NBME’s Fee Assistance program is open to students with demonstrated financial need who meet all the following criteria:
- Are U.S. citizens or have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) approval.
- Are eligible to take the USMLE and are currently enrolled in an LCME- or COCA-accredited medical school in either the United States of America or a designated medical school in the Caribbean.
- Can provide a valid USMLE ID number.
- Have not been referred to a disciplinary committee and found to have engaged in Irregular Behavior or otherwise violated any policy related to any USMLE or NBME exam.
- Registered in 2024 for the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK exam. NBME will continue to iterate and improve upon this program in future years as we evaluate its process and impact.
Applications for NBME’s Fee Assistance program are open until October 16. Learn more and apply for the NBME Educational Assistance Award for USMLE Fee Assistance on NMF’s Scholarships and Awards webpage.
“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. This initiative is a step toward a future where aspiring medical professionals, regardless of financial circumstances, can direct their energies toward achieving academic and career success and personal well-being.” -Linda Gadsby, Esq, NBME Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
