Quick questions about Fee Assistance Program

[obgyny]

I apologize if these are dumb questions, but I'm really confused by the Fee Assistance Program (FAP) application process. So if any of you don't mind answering my questions, I'd really appreciate it!

1. When is the FAP application due?
2. By myself, I would definitely qualify for financial assistance. I support myself, without any financial help from parents. And I'm on my own paying for the med school application process and medical school itself. However, it seems they don't care about your independent status, so I have to list my parents anyways. The FAP application only allows you to enter one of your parent's info.... so who do you put down? My father has a high salary and will probably disqualify me. My mother essentially lives off of social security. Who do I put down? Aren't they going to see the documentation for both parents anyway?
3. My father has a high salary, but he's also in a whole lot of debt, will they take that into consideration?
4. From what I understand, you fill out the initial online application for "screening" purposes, but they'll ask you to send in tax forms/documentation afterwards? Am I understanding this correctly?

Thanks in advance!! The help page wasn't too helpful.

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[familyaerospace]

1) I didn't think it had a real due date to speak of. I was trying to apply and I didn't see one listed.

2) My parents are divorced so I put down my mother who made the least. I'm also independent so I had to put down my husband. I missed out on fee assistance by about 2K (thanks Mom!) Argh...

3) I asked that, they don't.

4) I don't know, they kicked me out at the screening stage.

 

[Appless]

1) No due date but it can take several weeks (think it took 8 for my approval). You cant use FAP unless approved therefore you want it done as soon as possible. If you apply for FAP, then pay for amcas fees and are approved after you pay the fees, they wont honor your fap and give you your money back or something

2) It doesnt matter if you are married and have 5 kids you still list your parents and they count the parental income. They will count both of your parents income later after the request tax forms and you will likely not get it due to your fathers salary

3) nope they dont care

4) Thats how it worked for me. They asked for tax forms and stuff from both parents. The only way out of this is extreme situations like for instance you dont even know who your dad is, your dad is dead, you are emancipated, etc.

 

[sizillyd]

I apologize if these are dumb questions, but I'm really confused by the Fee Assistance Program (FAP) application process. So if any of you don't mind answering my questions, I'd really appreciate it!

1. When is the FAP application due?
2. By myself, I would definitely qualify for financial assistance. I support myself, without any financial help from parents. And I'm on my own paying for the med school application process and medical school itself. However, it seems they don't care about your independent status, so I have to list my parents anyways. The FAP application only allows you to enter one of your parent's info.... so who do you put down? My father has a high salary and will probably disqualify me. My mother essentially lives off of social security. Who do I put down? Aren't they going to see the documentation for both parents anyway?
3. My father has a high salary, but he's also in a whole lot of debt, will they take that into consideration?
4. From what I understand, you fill out the initial online application for "screening" purposes, but they'll ask you to send in tax forms/documentation afterwards? Am I understanding this correctly?

Thanks in advance!! The help page wasn't too helpful.

1.It doesn't have a due date, just get it in in time for you to be able to reap the benefits. i.e., way before your MCAT and when you want to apply.
2. Are you parent's together? My mom put down my step-dads and her salary. And then you have to put yours of course. Submit all required tax documents.
3. Nope
4.You submit the application, print the cover page, attach all required tax documents and mail it in. I was approved 2 days after they received it. We're super poor. lol.

Good luck. It's a great program. Send you a free MSAR and MCAT study guide. Also, they pay for you to apply to 14 medical schools, and most schools will waive secondary fees. Pretty sweet.👍

 

[obgyny]

1.It doesn't have a due date, just get it in in time for you to be able to reap the benefits. i.e., way before your MCAT and when you want to apply.
2. Are you parent's together? My mom put down my step-dads and her salary. And then you have to put yours of course. Submit all required tax documents.
3. Nope
4.You submit the application, print the cover page, attach all required tax documents and mail it in. I was approved 2 days after they received it. We're super poor. lol.

Good luck. It's a great program. Send you a free MSAR and MCAT study guide. Also, they pay for you to apply to 14 medical schools, and most schools will waive secondary fees. Pretty sweet.👍

Parents are divorced and both are remarried to other people.

So would it be a waste of my time to apply for FAP? As my father's salary is something like $150k/year, although he's in a lot of debt. This is very frustrating considering I'm not getting any financial help from either of my parents, live on my own, and just make enough money to support myself.

Another question: in MSAR, it mentions that you can sometimes waive the fee for secondaries. Does this require being eligible through FAP? Or is it unrelated. If I could get some secondary fees waived, it would be a HUGE help!!!

Thanks for all the info, guys!

 

[ThaliaNox]

Parents are divorced and both are remarried to other people.

So would it be a waste of my time to apply for FAP? As my father's salary is something like $150k/year, although he's in a lot of debt. This is very frustrating considering I'm not getting any financial help from either of my parents, live on my own, and just make enough money to support myself.

Another question: in MSAR, it mentions that you can sometimes waive the fee for secondaries. Does this require being eligible through FAP? Or is it unrelated. If I could get some secondary fees waived, it would be a HUGE help!!!

Thanks for all the info, guys!

If your dad makes 150k, you don't get FAP, nor will schools waive your secondary fees. Plain and simple. Debt doesn't figure into it. They'd have to give almost everyone FAP if the limit was over 150k for income. It sucks your parents won't/can't pay for this, but that is the case for 80-90% of applicants. Start saving.

 

[ahhhhhhhhhh]

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[TexasFight]

What kind of parental income are we talking about here? Is it like the pell grant where they look at your EFC? I'm kind of lost here too.

 

[btricycle]

FAP sucks through AMCAS! I'm 25, receive no help from my parents, made 8 grand last year and yet I still get screwed! Thanks a lot fricks!