adjusted gross income (AGI). AGI is defined as gross income minus adjustments to income. Gross income includes your wages, dividends, capital gains, business income, retirement distributions, and other income. Adjustments to income include such items as educator expenses, student loan interest, alimony payments, and contributions to a retirement account. Your AGI will never be more than your gross total income on your tax return and, in some cases, it may be lower. For purposes of the Fee Assistance Program, your AGI can be found on your IRS Form 1040 tax return.
dependent. A person other than the taxpayer or spouse who entitles the taxpayer to claim a dependency exemption. A dependent is someone you support. You must have provided at least half of the person’s total support for the year (e.g., food, shelter, and clothing) to claim this individual as a dependent. Children or other relatives can be considered dependents.
estrangement. You must have had no contact with either parent for at least 12 months (although there are possible exceptions to this timeframe) to be deemed as irreconcilably estranged from your parents. Just living apart from them or their unwillingness to provide their information on your application is not considered estrangement.
family size. For tax filing purposes, your “family” consists of yourself, your spouse (if filing jointly), and all other individuals whom you claim as dependents (refer to “dependent”) on your tax return. Although you may live with your parents or other relatives, if you are the sole individual listed on your tax return, then your household size is “1.” If your parents claim you as a dependent, then their family size will reflect this.
financial aid. Any grant, scholarship, loan, or federal work-study program offered to help a student meet their college expenses. This is typically detailed on your postsecondary institution’s Financial Aid Award Letter. Your Financial Aid Award Letter must include the school’s name and website address, the full amount of financial aid received, and the breakdown of the cost of attendance as provided by your school. (If the cost of attendance is not included on the Financial Aid Award Letter, it can usually be located and printed from the school’s website.)
housing or food assistance letter. This AAMC-provided letter is required for those who live with relatives or are provided housing or monetary assistance for food by a relative or friend (for example, if you lived at a home with a spouse, a family member, or a friend, and food was provided for you).
other documentation. The total amount of other income or financial support you received last year that you have not yet reported in the previous section of your application. For example, other income might include stimulus checks, veterans benefits, or an inheritance. If you received income or financial support from other sources, you must submit a formal document that details the amount you received in the previous year.
permanent address. A physical street address that is under your name.
Social Security. A federal insurance program that provides benefits to retired people and those who are unemployed or disabled, and to their spouses, children, and survivors.
welfare. Refers to government-sponsored assistance programs for individuals and families in need (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF), including health care assistance, food stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP), housing vouchers, Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), and unemployment compensation. Note: If a 1099 was provided to you for any benefits received, upload your 1099 to the W-2/1099 portion of your application.
withdrawn. Application status that indicates the applicant no longer wishes to be considered for the Fee Assistance Program. You may only withdraw your application after it has been submitted but before the AAMC has approved or denied it. The decision to withdraw your application is final. You will not be able to reactivate or resubmit your application or start a new application for the current Fee Assistance Program cycle once you have withdrawn your application.