Financing Your Education

Financial planning, smart budgeting and fee assistance are important things to consider when determining how to finance your medical school education.

Health professional programs are an investment in your future. While these programs are expensive, practitioners make good salaries, and are able to pay off debt. Still, financial planning should be an important part of your post-graduate education decisions.

Physician Assistant Programs (CASPA):

  • Primary Application Fee + one school = $184
  • Additional schools, primary = $61 each
  • Secondary Application Fee – varies, $35-100
  • Cost for 8 schools ~ $1,100

Veterinary Medicine (VMCAS):

  • Primary Application Fee + one school = $234
  • Additional schools, primary = $128 each
  • Secondary Application Fee – varies, $50-100
  • Cost for 8 Schools ~ $2,800

Osteopathic Medical School (AACOMAS):

  • Primary Application Fee + one school = $198
  • Additional schools, primary = $57 each
  • Secondary Application Fee – varies, $50-100
  • Cost for 10 schools ~ $1,500

Allopathic Medical School (AMCAS):

  • Primary Application Fee + one school = $175
  • Additional schools, primary = $46 each
  • Secondary Application Fee – varies, $85 – 200
  • Cost for 15 schools ~ $2,300

Dental Medicine (ADEA AADSAS):

  • Primary Application Fee + one school = $264
  • Additional schools, primary = $115 each
  • Secondary Application Fee – varies, $30-200
  • Cost for 10 Schools ~ $2,300

Optometric Medicine (OptomCAS):​

  • Primary Application Fee + one school = $187​
  • Additional schools, primary = $80 each​
  • Secondary Application Fee (varies), $30-75
  • Cost for 10 Schools ~ $1,500

Podiatric Medicine (AACPMAS):​

  • Primary Application Fee + one school = $205​
  • Additional schools, primary = $70 each
  • Cost for 11 Schools = $975​

Physician Assistant:

CASPA Fee Assistance Program

  • Beginning at the start of the cycle, a limited number of fee waivers are provided to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Each fee waiver covers only the initial application fee, so if you wish to apply to additional programs, you are responsible for the remaining balance. If you received a fee waiver during a previous cycle, you may still apply for another in the next cycle.
  • To complete the fee assistance application: click on your name in the upper right corner of your CASPA application, then select Fee Assistance Program, and follow prompts.

PA-CAT® Fee Assistance Program

  • Eligible candidates meeting the fee assistance program criteria are automatically eligible for a fee reduction of $50 per registration, with their total PA-CAT registration cost reduced from $228 to $178.
  • You must be approved for fee assistance prior to purchasing the PA-CAT exam. Fee assistance coupons cannot be applied to an existing purchase.
  • You may only receive fee assistance once in a lifetime.
  • Learn more about the PA-CAT® Fee Assistance Program including eligibility criteria and application instructions here.

Veterinary Medicine (VMCAS):

Fee Reimbursement Program:

  • The VMCAS 2020 Fee Reimbursement Program is sponsored by the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). A limited number of fee reimbursements are available through this program. Reimbursements are granted to financially disadvantaged applicants on a first-come, first-serve basis. AAVMC will review your submission to determine if you qualify for a reimbursement based on your income, or your parent’s income if you are claimed as a dependent, as reported on the most recent Federal Income Tax Return. No other documentation is accepted.
  • Your fee reimbursement request must be received and processed AFTER you e-submit your VMCAS application. If granted, you will receive a refund equivalent to the “one school” fee ($220). If you choose to apply to more than one VMCAS school, you will be responsible for fee(s) for each additional designation. This reimbursement program applied to the VMCAS application fee only. You are still responsible for supplemental application fees, regardless of your VMCAS reimbursement program status.

Osteopathic Medical School (AACOMAS):

AACOMAS Application Fee Waiver:

  • A limited number of fee waivers are available through the AACOMAS Fee Assistance Program for the 2019-2020 AACOMAS Application Cycle and are worth $195 each. Fee waivers are given out to qualified applicants until available funds run out for the cycle. Funds typically run out for the cycle.
  • Please read the AACOMAS Application Instructions to see who qualifies. These waivers cover the initial application fee. If an applicant receives a fee waiver and wishes to apply to more than one school, they are still responsible for the additional fee of $45 per program.
  • For more information about the AACOMAS Fee Waiver Program, please review the online application instructions.

Allopathic Medical School (AMCAS):

AAMC Fee Assistance Program:

  • The AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP) provides financial assistance to individuals who, without this aid, would find it very difficult — if not impossible — to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), apply to medical schools through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), and fulfill other obligations on the path to a career in medicine. The AAMC encourages all eligible aspiring physicians to apply for fee assistance.
  • FAP benefits includes:
  • Current MCAT Official Prep products benefit is the MCAT Official Prep Online-Only Bundle($268.80 value), which includes all onlineMCAT Official Prep products, reduced  registration fee, from $320 to $130, for MCAT exams.
  • Complimentary subscription to the Medical School Admission Requirementsonline database following account activation ($36 value).
  • Waiver for all AMCAS fees for one (1) application submission with up to 20 medical school designations ($970 value), submitted by December 31, 2021.
  • Learn more HERE and/or apply HERE!

Dental Medicine (ADEA AADSAS):

ADEA AADSAS Fee Assistance Program

  • Beginning at the start of the cycle, a limited number of fee waivers are provided to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Each fee waiver covers the initial application fee and two additional program designations, for a total of three designations. If you wish to apply to additional programs, you are responsible for the remaining balance. If you received a fee waiver during a previous cycle, you may still apply for another in the next cycle.
  • You may request a fee waiver as soon as you create an application, but keep in mind that fee waiver funds can be quickly depleted. To view the fee assistance program instructions, qualifications, and submission requirements, review the ADEA AADSAS Fee Assistance Program (FAP) webpage. For any questions, contact ADEA at FAPAADSAS@adea.org.
  • Please note that only US citizens and permanent residents are eligible for the ADEA AADSAS Fee Assistance Program. 

Optometric Medicine

  • Fee Assistance from OptomCAS is not offered. However, you may learn more about scholarships, grant opportunities and other support initiatives here.

Podiatric Medicine

  • Beginning at the start of the cycle, a limited number of AACPMAS Application fee waivers are provided to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Each fee waiver covers only the initial application fee, so if you wish to apply to additional programs, you are responsible for the remaining balance. If you received a fee waiver during a previous cycle, you may still apply for another in the next cycle.
  • You may request a fee waiver as soon as you create an application, but keep in mind that fee waiver funds can be quickly depleted. Contact customer service at 617-612-2900 before you submit a fee waiver request to determine if waivers are still available.

Visit the AAMC Financial Aid Application Process Website

  • While the process of applying for financial aid varies by medical school, here are some universal steps to help you get started. Always check with the financial aid office at your medical school for specific instructions

Download the FREE AAMC Education Debt Manager for Matriculating and Graduating Medical School Students

  • This comprehensive financial guide helps professionals at all levels of the medical education continuum navigate the complexities of financing medical school by borrowing wisely and repaying student loan debt responsibly.

Visit the AAMC Financial Wellness Website

  • Access free financial calculators, articles, and videos to help you create a budget, track your spending, create financial goals, and enhance your financial knowledge about credit, financial planning, money management, and more!

Use the MedLoans® Organizer and Calculator (MLOC)

  • The MedLoans® Organizer and Calculator was developed to assist medical students and residents with managing their education debt. The MLOC provides a secure location to organize and track student loans while also displaying possible repayment plans and costs based on the borrower’s student l
  • If you need loans to cover cost of tuition, consider borrowing federal student loans. The Direct Unsubsidized Loan and the Direct PLUS Loan are federal loans. These are both unsubsidized loans, meaning the borrower is responsible for the interest that accrues on the loans; however, they have some of the best terms and conditions.
  • Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in applying for financial aid. Check the school’s requirements for FAFSA filing dates. Note: Applying for a loan requires completing a Master Promissory Note (MPN). This is separate from the FAFSA.
  • Parental information may be required by medical schools for students who wish to be considered for institutional financial aid (aid given by the medical school) even though an applicant is considered independent for purposes of federal loans. Check with the medical school’s financial aid office to verify their requirements.
  • To ensure the results of your FAFSA are sent to the schools you are applying to, be sure to list the medical school’s federal school code on the FAFSA. If you do not know the school code, you can search for it on the Federal Student Aid website.

Contact the health professional school’s financial aid office to determine available sources of financial aid. Be proactive; explore additional resources for scholarships and grants. You can search for scholarships and grants in several places.