Office of Alumni Affairs and Development
25 Shattuck Street
Boston, MA 02115
giving@hms.harvard.edu
The Life of an HMS Student
A recent HMS graduate and former NCAA athlete, Jowan Watson, MD ’25, developed a sports psychiatry curriculum to support athletes navigating injuries, while mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds—showing the impact of financial aid in shaping future leaders.
Jowan Watson
Jowan Watson, MD ’25:
Transforming Sports Psychiatry with Compassion
Emily Rencsok, MD ’25, PhD ’23:
Advancing Patient-Centered Care
Emily Rencsok, MD ’25, PhD ’23, a recent graduate of the Harvard/MIT MD-PhD Program, is advancing patient-centered care through bioengineering and rehabilitation, combining research and clinical work to improve quality-of-life outcomes.
Emily Rencsok
Harvard Medical School students shape the future through discovery, service, and leadership. Explore news highlights that showcase their achievements and the impact they are making.
Impact They're Making
David Velasquez
David Velasquez, MD ’24, MBA ’23, MPP ’23, reflects on his journey through Harvard Medical School, sharing insights into his experiences and aspirations.
Kelsey Biddle
Kelsey Biddle, MD ’25, who is living with narcolepsy type 1, shares her journey of balancing rigorous academics with daily health challenges. In this video, she discusses her experiences and the importance of support and understanding in medical education.
Kaleigh Beacham offers a glimpse into her daily routine as a Harvard Medical School student, balancing rigorous academics with personal well-being. Her story highlights the resilience and dedication of students navigating the challenges of medical education.
Kaleigh Beacham
At Harvard Medical School, our students bring passion, curiosity, and compassion to everything they do—from caring for patients to making pioneering discoveries. Through their voices, you’ll see how financial aid fuels their potential and inspires a healthier future.
Meet Our Students
Harvard Medical School offers one of the country's most generous medical school financial aid programs. In fiscal year 2024, HMS awarded $21.4 million in MD financial aid, placing us among the top five medical schools nationally. Seventy-two percent of our students received assistance, with an average scholarship of $60,403.
Graduates leave HMS with about half the average debt of peers at other private medical schools, enabling them to pursue careers guided by purpose rather than financial burden. Financial aid not only eases costs but also allows students to focus on their training and dedication to serving others.
Philanthropy makes this possible, helping to educate and inspire the next generation of physicians and physician-scientists who will shape the future of medicine.
The Impact of Financial Aid
CLASS OF 2028
165
STUDENTS
THE IMPACT OF FINANCIAL AID
72%
Receive financial aid
$60,403
Average annual scholarship
1 in 5
Come from a family whose annual income is $50,000 or less
Qualify for the HMS Middle Income Initiative, which adjusts the parental contribution expected for HMS families with the greatest financial need.
50%
135 PATHWAYS
30 HST
14 students are pursuing both an MD and a PhD (MD-PhD)
17%
From backgrounds underrepresented in medicine
57
COLLEGES
35
U.S. STATES
7
COUNTRIES
At Harvard Medical School, every student carries a vision for the future, of discoveries yet to be made, patients yet to be helped, and communities yet to be healed. However, talent and dedication alone aren’t enough; for many, financial support is what makes their path possible.
Thanks to your generosity, our students can focus on becoming the physicians, physician-scientists, and leaders our world needs—without being limited by financial barriers. You are not just funding an education; you are opening doors, inspiring breakthroughs, and changing lives.
With gratitude,
Bernard S. Chang, AB ’93, MD, MMSc ’05
Dean for Medical Education
Daniel D. Federman, MD, Professor of Neurology and Medical Education
Bernard S. Chang,
AB ’93, MD, MMSc ’05
Empowering Future Physicians: The Impact of Financial Aid
at Harvard Medical School
Ethan Bott, the first in his family to graduate high school, hails from rural Alaska and is entering his second year at Harvard Medical School. He earned his BS in Psychology from Duke University with honors, and tutored peers in science and math. Both personal and professional experiences, including clinical research with people living with HIV, shaped his path to medicine. Ethan chose HMS for its integrative curriculum, visionary leaders, and generous financial aid. “I don’t think I would have attended HMS without the incredible financial aid package I received,” he shares. Freed from significant debt, he can explore his interests in surgical oncology, vascular surgery, health equity, and substance use advocacy.
Ethan is a nationally recognized MCAT tutor with over 1,500 hours of experience and a 99th-percentile score. He also founded The June Group, a nonprofit that advocates for individuals affected by substance use disorders. He envisions a future in academic medicine, where he can integrate clinical care, teaching, and advocacy, while remaining committed to expanding opportunities and improving access for underserved communities.
Ethan Bott
Meet first-year student Tawny Stinson. Her first week at Harvard Medical School was full of new friends, classes, ceremonies, and health equity and professionalism lessons.
