Doctor with FIES? You Can Reduce Your Debt by 1% per Month with FIESMED

WHAT IS FIESMED?

FIESMED is a Federal Government program that allows doctors to reduce their FIES (Student Financing Fund, a government program that finances higher education) debt by 1% for each month worked in priority regions. In other words, up to 12% per year in reduction of the outstanding balance.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

You can apply for the debt reduction if you:

· Completed a Medicine degree financed by FIES up until the second semester of 2017;

· Work in regions considered a priority by the Ministry of Health;

· Serve on a Family Health Team (eSF) (40 hours per week) or work with indigenous, riverside, or quilombola communities (descendants of runaway slave communities) (32 hours per week).

PROGRAM BENEFITS

· Real debt reduction: 1% per month worked;

· Suspension of FIES installment payments while you are enrolled in the program;

· Extended eligibility for those who worked in the fight against COVID-19 (minimum of 6 months in the SUS, Brazil's public health system, between March and December 2020).

HOW TO APPLY FOR FIESMED

· Go to fiesmed.saude.gov.br

· Fill in your information.

· Attach the following documents:

FIES contract;

Photo ID;

Official statement from the municipal health manager, notarized at a notary's office (cartório).

Although the process may seem simple, many doctors face unfair denials or technical difficulties on the platform. For this reason, it is advisable to seek support from a trusted lawyer to ensure your rights are recognized and to speed up your application.