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. This program assists those who, without financial assistance, would be unable to take the MCAT® exam or apply to medical school with the AMCAS® application.
To be eligible for the Fee Assistance Program, you are required to fulfill the following requirements:
- You must have a U.S.-based home address.
- Each household reported on your application (yours and your parents, if applicable) must have a 2023 total family income that is equal to or less than 400% of the 2023 national poverty level for your family size.
- You must be preparing to apply to medical school.
- Specifically, applicants:
- Must not be currently accepted or enrolled in any medical school.
- Must not have graduated from medical school.
- Must not be preparing to apply for residency.
- Specifically, applicants:
If you are eligible and approved, the Fee Assistance Program award includes a number of benefits. To give you an idea, benefits awarded in 2024 include:
MCAT® Registration and MCAT Official Prep Products Benefits:
- Discounted registration fee of $140 (usually $345) for the MCAT exam.
- Free MCAT Official Prep products ($268.80 value). Please keep in mind, you only receive MCAT Official Prep products one time, regardless of how many times you receive fee assistance.
- A stipend (up to $800) toward an updated psycho-educational or medical evaluation if it’s required to support your MCAT testing accommodations application.
AMCAS® Application Benefits:
- Waiver for AMCAS fees for one application submission with up to 20 medical school designations (currently a $1,049 value).
Medical School Admission Requirements™ Benefits:
- Complimentary access to the Medical School Admission Requirements™ online database until the end of the award period (currently a $36 value).
AAMC PREview® Exam Benefit
- Waiver for AAMC PREview professional readiness exam registration fees ($100 value), for first exam.
- 50% discount for subsequent registrations.
ERAS® Application Benefit
- 60% fee discount on up to 50 ERAS applications.
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.
Your benefits will begin on the date of approval and will expire the next calendar year on Dec. 31st regardless of when you apply and receive the award during the current application year. For example, if your application is approved in 2024, your benefits will expire on December 31, 2025.
For more information about the AAMC Fee Assistance Program eligibility and application requirements, please visit www.aamc.org/feeassistance. Also, follow @AAMCPreMed on X and like our page on Facebook for updates, quick tips, and questions.