If an applicant allegedly provides the AAMC with false information, engages in conduct that may compromise the integrity of the Fee Assistance Program, or otherwise violates the applicant Certification Statement or the terms and conditions of the Fee Assistance Program Essentials, Calendar Year 2024, the AAMC may investigate the alleged claim and may issue a report of the factual findings of the investigation. Further, the AAMC reserves the right to take other action as is warranted in certain circumstances.

The AAMC Policies and Procedures for Investigating Reported Violations of Admission and Enrollment Standards apply and are incorporated into the Fee Assistance Program Essentials, Calendar Year 2024 by reference.

• Any applicant who is the subject of an investigation by the AAMC shall fully cooperate with the AAMC investigation, provide all documents and materials requested by the AAMC and submit to an in-person interview conducted by or on behalf of the AAMC at the association’s request. Applicants shall truthfully and completely answer all questions posed during investigative interviews conducted by or on behalf of the AAMC.
• If the AAMC initiates an investigation, it will notify the applicant before issuing an investigation report.
• At its sole discretion, the AAMC may elect to send a fact-based investigation report documenting the violation and subsequent investigation, with any attachments provided by the applicant, to legitimately interested parties, both now and in the future. Legitimately interested parties related to Fee Assistance Program applicants are defined in the AAMC Policies and Procedures for Investigating Reported Violations of Admission and Enrollment Standards.
   

There is only one remedy available to applicants who wish to appeal or otherwise challenge a decision made by the AAMC to send an investigation report to legitimately interested parties. That remedy is binding arbitration, which must be obtained through written submissions before a single arbitrator under the JAMS Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures in the District of Columbia. Examinees electing to proceed with arbitration understand that they are waiving their rights to file suit against the AAMC in any court of competent jurisdiction. The sole issue for arbitration shall be whether the AAMC acted reasonably and in good faith in making its decision.

If an applicant’s previous Fee Assistance Program application results in an investigation report being issued, the applicant will not be eligible to apply to the Fee Assistance Program for the next three application cycles. 

The first Fee Assistance Program application cycle the applicant would not be eligible for is the application year in which the investigation report was issued. Please be aware that this might not be the same year that the Fee Assistance Program application that resulted in an investigation report was submitted. 

This policy was implemented retroactively as of March 31, 2023. Therefore, applicants who had a Fee Assistance Program investigation report issued in calendar year 2020 or earlier will be eligible to apply to the 2024 Fee Assistance Program as of March 31, 2023.