Last Updated on June 26, 2022 by Laura Turner
There are many costs associated with applying to medical school. These costs can add up, and they may even discourage some students from applying. The AAMC believes that the cost of medical school should not be a barrier to those who aspire to become a physician. One resource to help offset some of the costs of applying to medical school is the AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP). This program assists those who, without financial assistance, would be unable to take the MCAT or apply to medical school with the AMCAS application. There isn’t a limit to the number of awards the AAMC provides and you can apply to the program up to five times.
If you are eligible and approved, the Fee Assistance Program award includes a number of benefits. To give you an idea, benefits awarded in 2016 include:
MCAT Registration and Test Preparation Benefits:
• Discounted registration fee of $120 (usually $310) for the MCAT
• Free MCAT preparation materials (about $160 value). Please keep in mind, you only receive MCAT preparation materials one time, regardless of how many times you receive fee assistance.
• Up to $500 toward an updated psycho-educational or medical evaluation, if it’s required to support your MCAT testing accommodations application.
AMCAS Benefits:
• Waiver for AMCAS fees for one application submission with up to 15 medical school designations (currently a $692 value).
Medical School Admission Requirements Benefits:
• Complimentary access to the Medical School Admission Requirements website until the end of the award period (currently a $54 value).
The 2017 Fee Assistance Program application cycle will open on Wednesday, January 4. If you are eligible for this award, we encourage you to apply before you register for your MCAT exam date or submit your AMCAS application. Benefits are not retroactive.
Fee Assistance Program benefits can be used for up to two calendar years, and will expire on December 31 the year after they are awarded, regardless of when in the year you apply for, and receive, the award. For example, if your application is approved January 1-December 31, 2017, your benefits will expire on December 31, 2018.
For more information about the AAMC Fee Assistance Program eligibility and application requirements, please visit www.aamc.org/fap. Also, follow @AAMCPreMed on Twitter and like our page on Facebook for updates, quick tips, and questions.
The AAMC leads and serves the academic medicine community to improve the health of people everywhere. Founded in 1876 and based in Washington, D.C., the AAMC is a not-for-profit association dedicated to transforming health through medical education, health care, medical research, and community collaborations.