There were moments when Samantha Forbes wondered how she would make it through medical school.
Even with support from family, the Students’ Loan Bureau and a scholarship, she still faced the mounting costs that come with studying medicine. Tuition was only part of the picture. Textbooks, clinical equipment, transportation, rent, examination fees and everyday living expenses all had to be covered. So, she worked as a registered nurse to make ends meet while pursuing her medical degree.
Balancing hospital shifts with the demands of medical school was far from easy.
“The National Health Fund’s (NHF) EduCare Grant helped bridge that gap,” Samantha said. “It eased a financial burden that scholarships and loans alone couldn’t fully cover, and gave me something every medical student values: the opportunity to spend more time learning, preparing for patients and becoming the best future physician I could be.”
Today, Samantha is a final-year medical student at The University of the West Indies, Mona, preparing to begin the next chapter of her journey. Looking back, she believes the EduCare Grant made it possible to reach this point without delaying her studies.
Samantha’s story is one of more than 200 shaped by the NHF EduCare Grant since the programme launched in 2020, helping Jamaican healthcare students overcome financial barriers that might otherwise prevent them from completing their training.
Navigating Financial Uncertainty
For fellow medical student Kadeen Grant, financial uncertainty looked different but felt just as heavy.
Her mother, a public sector worker, was the family’s sole provider while managing her own illness and supporting another child through school. Scholarships and student loans made university possible, but there were still times when outstanding tuition fees threatened to stand between her and her examinations.
She remembers opening an email from the NHF after convincing herself she had been unsuccessful.
“I had to read it twice,” she recalled. “I was smiling from ear to ear!”
More importantly, the EduCare Grant meant she could sit her exams without the constant worry of whether or not she would be allowed to do so.
“It is extremely difficult to focus, even with an exam coming up, if you have outstanding fees,” she said. “Whether you’re walking to school, eating a meal or trying to study, all you can think about is how you will cover the cost of tuition before the exam that you may not be able to sit.”
With that burden lifted, both students were able to focus on making the most of university life.
Samantha continued to excel academically while taking on student leadership roles, earning the Faculty of Medical Sciences Social Accountability Award and leading initiatives that supported fellow students and the wider community. Kadeen graduated with honours, earned a place on the Faculty of Medical Sciences Dean’s List and served as a student leader while pursuing her extracurricular interests.
For both recipients, the EduCare Grant represented far more than financial assistance. It was reassurance that someone believed in their potential and was willing to invest in their future.
Investing in the Future of Healthcare
Now in its sixth year, the NHF EduCare Grant continues that mission. The 2026 programme will provide $25 million in grant funding to eligible students pursuing accredited courses at accredited local tertiary institutions.
For students considering applying, Samantha’s advice is simple: “Don’t allow financial challenges to stop you from pursuing your dream of working in healthcare.” Kadeen offers similar encouragement: “You miss 100% of the chances you don’t take… Apply and give your dream the chance it deserves.”
Samantha and Kadeen’s stories are reminders that determination alone isn’t always enough. Sometimes, the right support at the right time is what keeps a dream alive. For eligible healthcare students across Jamaica, the NHF EduCare Grant could be that opportunity.
