Program Criteria

The Shield Fund is available to all medical students currently enrolled or on leave of absence at the University of Michigan Medical School – Ann Arbor. This program is available to provide financial assistance for a variety of academic and non-academic needs. Eligible needs include, but are not limited to: 

Pre-Clinical Learning Materials

e.g. Amboss, SketchyMedical, Pathoma, Boards and Beyond

Clinical Learning Materials

e.g. UWorld, Amboss, Anki, OnlineMedEd, NBME Practice Exams, Boards and Beyond 

USMLE Step 1 & 2 CK/CS Registration Fees

USMLE Step 1 & 2 CK/CS Learning Materials

e.g. UWorld, Amboss, Anki, First Aid, NBME Practice Exams

Residency Application Expenses

e.g. NRMP registration, ERAS registration, travel expenses, professional clothing expenses

Unaffordable Daily Living Expenses

e.g. Rent, utility bills, food insecurity, medical debt, credit card debt, mental health treatment

Unanticipated Emergency Expenses

e.g. Travel expenses due to a family emergency, emergency medical treatment, emergency temporary lodging, major car repairs (impacting ability to drive the car safely and legally), replacement of personal belongings lost in a disaster impacting a student’s home

How to apply

Step 1: Consider contacting a member of the Shield Fund Board to discuss the need. 

Step 2: Send an email to make the initial request. We will respond with the next steps. 

Application is here:

https://forms.gle/rsZAfes5StJLAYvU7

If you have questions:

Email: theshieldfundinc@gmail.com

Please cc: englesbe@umich.edu on this email

If you are really struggling - page 10607 anytime.