Cost of Living Stipend

for economically-disadvantaged residents

Pilot Program Extended

July 2025

We understand that living in the greater Boston area is expensive. Cambridge Health Alliance wants to provide financial assistance to residents with significant financial challenges who might not otherwise be able to train here.

  • Cash stipends. Residents can apply for a cash stipend (in addition to standard PGY-level salary) if they match to our residency programs in 2026 and were approved for the AAMC's "Fee Assistance Program (FAP)" as an AMCAS applicant. They will need to provide confirmation of their continuing financial need.
  • The total stipend amount of $30,000 will be distributed in 3 installments of $10,000 at the beginning of each academic year for the first 3 years of the residency program. See details below.
Application Details:
  • Applies to physicians that match to enter residency programs in 2026 that are at least two years in duration, sponsored by Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA).
  • After matching to one of our residency programs, in order to apply, eligible incoming residents must provide:
    • The AAMC's email indicating approval for their Fee Assistance Program (FAP). (We recognize this will be 4+ years old.)
    • Applicants can confirm that they were approved for FAP and obtain a copy of the documentation by email at FAP@AAMC.org.
  • Stipends will be provided by CHA without involvement of individual residency programs or departments. The program/department staff will not know who receives or has applied for the stipend. (Please note that stipends are considered taxable income.)
  • Stipend application form
Eligible Residency Programs:
  • CHA Adult Psychiatry Residency
  • CHA Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship
  • CHA Internal Medicine Residency
  • Tufts Family Medicine Residency at CHA
Learn More:

Please see our FAQ and examples below.

For other questions, please contact the CHA Human Resources Benefits Department at benefits@challiance.org.

  • Frequently Asked Questions about the Stipend Program
    Q: How can I know as an applicant whether I would receive the stipend if I match at CHA?

    To apply for the stipend you need to provide the following:

    Documentation of having been approved by AAMC for their Fee Assistance Program as an AMCAS applicant. If you cannot find the confirmation email that AAMC sent to you, you can obtain a copy by contacting them at: FAP@AAMC.org.

    You send us the registration form confirming that you continue to experience financially challenging circumstances. We ask this because the FAP eligibility was determined some years ago, and significant financial changes may have occurred.

    We leave this for you to judge because circumstances may be complex. For example, your partner may earn a salary that is comparable to yours, or higher, but financial obligations beyond routine living expenses (e.g. large loan repayment, support of dependents, etc.) might more than offset this. Therefore, for purposes of this program, your continued economic disadvantage is self-determined and self-reported.

    Once you have provided the necessary documentation, Human Resources will circle back with you to let you know if you have been awarded the stipend and when to expect the initial $10K.  Please note that stipends are limited and not all who apply will receive the stipend.

    Q: What if I would have qualified for AAMC's Fee Assistance Program but was not aware of it when I applied to medical school?

    Unfortunately, you are not eligible for the stipend.

    Q: Will the first stipend be available in time to support moving expenses?

    Unfortunately, we will not be able to provide the stipend until the first week of Orientation.

    Q: I see this program is described as a "pilot"—might it be cancelled before I receive the three annual stipends?

    The commitment to provide $30K via three, annual $10K payments, is not subject to cancellation for recipients recruited in the 2026 match who are continuing in our residencies. This stipend program is considered a pilot in that we want to learn from early experience and be flexible about changing it to make improvements. While it is possible that the program will be discontinued at some point that would happen by not offering this in future recruitment cycles— existing commitments will be honored.

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