As a part of NBME’s ongoing effort to assist medical students on their path to licensure, we have opened the second application cycle for the 2026 Fee Assistance program. Medical students with demonstrated financial need are encouraged to apply for a $695 award to be used toward the registration cost of the United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®). Through this initiative, NBME aims to reduce financial barriers for learners and support their progress.
To help administer the program, NBME partners with National Medical Fellowships (NMF), a national nonprofit that supports medical students through scholarships and professional development programs that strengthen the health care workforce.
In its third year, NBME’s Fee Assistance Program will provide financial support to more than 1,400 medical students annually, helping offset the cost of the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) exams.
This program is open to students with demonstrated financial need who meet all the following criteria:
- Are U.S. citizens, permanent residents 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.
- Have registered for the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK exam between the dates of January 1 and December 31, 2026, with the ability to provide a valid USMLE ID number.
- Have taken the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK exam in 2026 before the application cycle closes (Jan. 1-Aug. 23, 2026).
- Have not been found to have engaged in irregular behavior or violated any USMLE or NBME policy.
In addition to the previously announced spring cycle, medical students have the opportunity to apply for this program two times this year:
- July 13 - Aug. 23, 2026
- Nov. 23, 2026 - Jan. 10, 2027
Applications for this cycle of NBME’s Fee Assistance program are open until Aug. 23. Students can learn more and apply on NMF’s Scholarships and Awards webpage.
