Updated on February 2, 2024.
The cost of becoming a doctor is enough to give anyone premature ventricular contractions. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) aims to alleviate the cost of applying to medical school with the AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP).
FAP recipients are awarded a plethora of benefits, free resources, and reduced costs. Use this guide to learn more about the FAP and avoid common application mistakes.
AAMC Fee Assistance Program FAQ
1. Who Can Apply to the AAMC Fee Assistance Program?
The AAMC created the FAP to help students who would otherwise be financially unable to take the MCAT exam or apply to medical school. To be eligible, your household income (and your parents’ if applicable) needs to fall under certain guidelines. Additionally, applicants must have a permanent U.S. address.
2. When Should I Apply to the AAMC Fee Assistance Program?
Fee Assistance Program applications close in December and reopen for the next cycle in February. 2024 applications open on February 5.
However, benefits are not retroactive. To register for the MCAT exam at the reduced FAP rate, you must have been approved for the FAP before you register.
Likewise, if you apply to medical school and then apply for the FAP, you won’t receive a refund of those fees if you end up getting approved for the fee waiver.
3. What Are the AAMC Fee Assistance Benefits?
- The MCAT Official Prep Products Benefit Package (normally $268)
- Reduced MCAT registration fee of $140 (normally $335)
- Access to the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) for two years
- Free registration for your first AAMC Professional Readiness Exam (normally $100) and 50% discount for subsequent registrations
- Waiver for all AMCAS application fees for one submission, covering up to 20 medical schools ($1,030 value)
- 60% fee discount on up to 50 ERAS applications ($635.40 value)
4. How Many Times Can I Apply to the AAMC Fee Assistance Program?
You may only apply once per calendar year and receive a maximum of five awards during your lifetime.
5. When Do I Receive My FAP Benefits and When Do They Expire?
You can use your benefits the same day you are approved. Your benefits expire at the end of the following calendar year. For example, if you submit your Fee Assistance Program application in 2024, then your benefits will expire on December 31, 2025.
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6. What Do I Need to Apply to The FAP?
Unlike other programs, the AAMC Federal Assistance Program requires you to provide your parent’s financial information if you’re under the age of 26.
Here’s what you need to apply to the AAMC Fee Assistance Program:
- A copy of all applicable IRS Federal Income Tax Forms (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, etc.) for the previous calendar year
- Non-tax filers must provide copies of W-2 or 1099 forms
- Proof of U.S. address
- Consent and Certification Statement – these forms will be generated from the AAMC
- If you received financial aid or scholarships from schools, you must provide a copy of your Financial Aid Award Letter, but only the portion of your financial aid awarded for living expenses (room and board, transportation, etc.) will be counted as income. Aid awarded for educational expenses (tuition, fees, and books) is excluded
- A Housing and Food Assistance form if someone helped you with these expenses (for example, if you lived at home with your parents)
- Other documentation that may or may not be applicable to you: Alimony Document, Child Support Document, Financial Gift Letter, Foreign Income Letter, Social Security, etc. The AAMC keeps a full list of current documents needed to apply for the FAP.
7. How Long Does It Take To Be Approved for AAMC Financial Assistance?
After you submit your application and supporting documents, the application process can take up to 10 business days. The AAMC will either approve, deny, or notify you of missing documents. If you’re denied, you can appeal the decision if you think this decision was made in error.
8. Does Blueprint MCAT Prep Offer Financial Aid?
The benefits don’t stop at the AAMC! FAP recipients are also eligible to receive financial aid for the Blueprint MCAT Self-Paced and Live Online Courses to achieve the best MCAT score possible. Students can also arrange monthly payment plans (via Affirm) to pay for their MCAT official prep while studying.
Applying to the AAMC Fee Assistance Program might seem a little daunting, but if you’re eligible, there’s no harm in trying! And remember, you can get access to tons of free MCAT resources when you create a Blueprint MCAT account.
