Depending on the marital status of your parent(s), one or two tabs will appear for entering their financial information; each tab represents a full parental household. Rounding to the nearest whole dollar, enter income and other dollar amounts for all parents in the household, including stepparents (if applicable) — even if they file taxes separately. The following components make up the Parents’ Financial Information page.
Family Size
To calculate your parents’ family size, count 1 for your parent. Add 1 for your other parent or stepparent (if applicable). Then, add 1 for each dependent listed on your parents’ 2025 IRS 1040 tax form. (See page 12 for more information about who counts as a parent.)
Taxable Income
Question in application: Have your parent(s) filed their federal tax return(s) for 2025?
- If your parents have already filed their 2025 tax return, select “Yes” and enter their adjusted gross income as it appears on their tax return.
- If your parents plan to file a tax return but have not yet done so, select “Not Yet.”
- Before the federal tax-filing deadline (typically April 15): The AAMC will accept IRS W-2 and 1099 forms instead of a federal IRS 1040 to process the Fee Assistance Program application, though the AAMC may still request the IRS 1040 to verify family size.
- After the April federal tax-filing deadline: If your parents are required to file a tax return, even if they filed for an extension, they must submit an IRS 1040 tax form. The AAMC does not accept W-2 or 1099 forms in place of an IRS 1040 after the tax-filing deadline. Until the IRS 1040 form is received, the Fee Assistance Program application will remain On Hold.
- If your parents are not required to file a tax return, select “Will Not Be Filing.” However, if your parents have any earned income, you are required to enter the income listed on their IRS W-2 or 1099 forms.
Note: If your parents are married or separated and did not (or will not) file a joint tax return, you must enter the sum of their individual incomes where income information is required. You are also required to provide the IRS 1040 tax form for both parents if they are married but filed tax returns separately. Be sure all appropriate parties include their handwritten signature, DocuSign/Adobe signature, or PIN (personal identification number) on their IRS 1040 forms before submitting.
Question in application: Have you or will you be receiving W-2 or 1099 forms from any employer(s) for 2025?
Employers typically provide either a W-2 or 1099 form by Feb. 1 each year. These forms summarize wages, tips, and other earnings. If you’re unsure which form you will receive, contact your employer.
If your parents selected “Not Yet” or “Will Not Be Filing,” enter the total income from all W-2 and 1099 forms.
Submitting false or incomplete information may result in an investigation and affect eligibility for fee assistance.
Housing and Food Assistance
Some parents may receive housing or food assistance and live with relatives or are provided housing by a relative or friend; select “Yes” if this applies. Select “No” if the assistance was part of financial aid or provided through a federal, state, or local welfare program.
If you select “Yes,” the Housing/Food Assistance Calculator will appear. Use it to estimate the value of the assistance by entering an estimate of what your parents would have paid monthly for rent and/or food.
The parent(s) must complete and sign a Housing and Food Assistance Letter documenting the support received in 2025. Acceptable signatures include handwritten or digital signatures with an audit trail, such as DocuSign or Adobe. Typed signatures are not accepted.
Note: This letter is specifically for situations in which a relative or friend provides housing or food that your parents would normally pay for, not for assistance provided through welfare or other government programs.
Income Earned While Living in Another Country
If your parents lived and worked outside of the United States in 2025 and received income not reflected on their IRS W-2 or 1099 forms, select “Yes” and enter the amount earned in U.S. dollars. A Foreign Income Letter, signed by the parent(s), must be submitted, which documents the income earned abroad. The letter must include either a handwritten signature or a digital signature with an audit trail, such as DocuSign or Adobe. Typed signatures are not accepted.
Social Security Benefits
Enter the full amount of benefits your parent(s) received from the Social Security Administration in 2025. Include retirement benefits, survivor benefits, disability benefits, and other benefits. Enter “0” if no benefits were received.
Federal, State, and Local Welfare Programs
Enter the total value of food stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or “SNAP”), housing vouchers, Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) assistance, or other welfare program benefits your parent(s) received in 2025.
If benefits were received, submit a formal statement from the government agency administering the program. Enter “0” if no benefits were received.
Financial Gifts
Enter the combined value of cash gifts your parents received in 2025 if the total exceeded $200. Include one-time gifts as well as recurring cash support for general living expenses.
For example, if a friend provided your parent(s) $100 per month for 12 months, enter $1,200. Enter “0” if the total is $200 or less.
If the total exceeds $200, the parent(s) must complete and sign a Financial Gift Letter documenting the amount received. Acceptable signatures include handwritten or digital signatures with an audit trail, such as DocuSign or Adobe. Typed signatures are not accepted.
Child Support
Enter the total amount of child support payments your parent(s) received in 2025. Do not include any payments your parents made. Enter “0” if none was received.
If received, submit documentation detailing the amount. Typed signatures are not accepted.
Alimony or Spousal Support
Enter the total amount of alimony or spousal support your parent(s) received in 2025. Do not include payments your parent(s) made.
If your parent(s) have already filed their federal tax return and the alimony received is included there, you do not need to enter it again.
If received, submit a signed document detailing the amount received. Typed signatures are not accepted. Enter “0” if none was received.
Income or Financial Support Received From Other Sources
Enter the total amount of other income or financial support your parent(s) received in 2025 that has not been reported in the previous sections (e.g., stimulus checks, veterans’ benefits, inheritance).
If received, submit a formal document detailing the amount. Enter “0” if none was received.
Note: If your parents are married but filing separately, proof of income is required for both. If only one parent has documentation and the other cannot provide it, a letter from the parent without proof must explain their income source (e.g., supported by the other parent). This letter must be signed, dated, and uploaded under “Other Documentation.”