Johns Hopkins University Offers Free Medical School for Most Students After $1B Donation

To make Johns Hopkins University’s medical school tuition-free for the majority of students, Bloomberg Philanthropies has pledged $1 billion. This contribution is part of an increasing trend among prominent donors backing tuition-free medical education at institutions throughout the U.S.

In a letter featured in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ annual report, Michael Bloomberg, founder of the organization and a former Johns Hopkins graduate, highlighted that the donation aims to tackle two interconnected key challenges: deteriorating health and educational decline.

Johns Hopkins announced on Monday that the latest donation from Bloomberg reinforces its dedication to tackling complex health issues in America. By eliminating economic obstacles, this gift supports promising students from low-income and middle-class families, enabling them to pursue careers in medicine and contribute meaningfully to their communities. This significant increase in financial assistance for graduate and medical students extends the impact of Bloomberg’s 2018 donation, which focused on undergraduate aid at Johns Hopkins University.

Johns Hopkins clarified that the donation will fully cover tuition or tuition and living expenses for the majority of medical school students. Eligibility for the gift extends to students from families earning under $300,000, with living expenses included for those from households earning below $175,000.

Johns Hopkins joins a growing list of medical schools receiving substantial gifts aimed at reducing financial barriers for students. Earlier this year, students at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York received free tuition following a $1 billion donation from Dr. Ruth Gottesman, a previous faculty member. The NYU School of Medicine made history in 2018 as the first top 10 medical school in the country to provide tuition-free education for its admitted students.

In his letter, Bloomberg addressed several critical issues facing the nation. He highlighted the ongoing decline in U.S. life expectancy compared to other countries following the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasized the detrimental impact of remote schooling on public education. Bloomberg also discussed the significant financial barriers that prevent students from lower-income families from applying to medical school. He called for bipartisan unity in combating these healthcare challenges, suggesting they should unite political divisions.