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 exam or apply to medical school with the AMCAS application.
If you are eligible and approved, the Fee Assistance Program award includes a number of benefits. To give you an idea, benefits awarded in 2019 include:
MCAT Registration and MCAT Official Prep Products Benefits:
- Discounted registration fee of $130 (usually $320) 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 Benefits:
- Waiver for AMCAS fees for one application submission with up to 20 medical school designations (currently a $930 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).
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 2019, your benefits will expire on December 31, 2020.
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.