Abstract: This article guides pre-health students through the fee assistance programs available for health professions application services. It explains how adjusted gross income from federal tax returns determines eligibility for most programs, details the documentation required, and provides updated fee information for the 2026-2027 application cycle. The article also covers service-based waivers for participants in programs like Peace Corps and AmeriCorps, as well as program coupon codes that can reduce supplemental application costs. Given the changes to federal student loan programs under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act taking effect July 1, 2026, reducing application costs has become increasingly important for budget-conscious applicants. Students and advisors can use this information to identify applicable fee assistance programs, prepare required documentation in advance, and strategically reduce the financial burden of the application process.
Are you ready to start the application process? One commonly overlooked part of the process is to see whether you come from a disadvantaged background to qualify for a fee assistance program (FAP). Whatever your interest as a graduate or health professional student, most programs offer eligible applicants an opportunity to apply at a reduced cost. Here are some things you can research before you begin to submit your application.
Your tax returns are your most important documents.
With the new calendar year comes the chore of filing your taxes for the previous one. However, your tax returns could also help you reduce your application costs to health professions programs. If you think you may qualify for a FAP, filing an early return and having it handy will help you submit your requests to various programs.
Your adjusted gross income on your federal taxes and your household size determines your eligibility for most fee-assistance programs. Have your most recent 3 years of forms to see if you fall below the qualifying income limits. Tables can be found on the individual application help documentation, which is linked below.
Why Fee Assistance Matters More in 2026
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), signed into law in July 2025, introduces significant changes to federal student loan programs beginning July 1, 2026. With the elimination of Grad PLUS loans and new borrowing caps ($200,000 aggregate for professional programs, $100,000 for graduate programs), managing application costs becomes even more critical for budget-conscious applicants.
Students who qualify for fee assistance can redirect hundreds of dollars in savings toward other expenses or future educational costs. Given the new federal loan landscape, every dollar saved during the application process helps reduce overall educational debt burden.
AAMC Fee Assistance Program (for medical or podiatric students)
The AAMC offers webinars covering the benefits of the AAMC Fee Assistance Program (FAP). You can find the 2025 Fee Assistance Program webinar recording on the AAMC Premed Webinars page, along with other resources for medical school applicants.
Having a fee assistance waiver from AAMC or AACOM also allows you to request a test fee waiver for the Acuity Insights Suite, including Casper. Make sure you have this documentation for these programs or other eligible programs (such as the JAMP in Texas). Waivers are not given after you register or complete the Altus assessments, so make sure you investigate and ask early.
National service can qualify you for a Fee Assistance Program.
Nontraditional applicants who take service years before applying may find that their participation may make them eligible for central application fee waivers to specific health professions. Eligible programs may include the Peace Corps, Americorps, the Leadership Alliance, the McNair Scholars Program, or the Gates Millennial Scholars Program. These service-based waivers require completing a form that is subsequently certified by a program officer, and the documentation is also required before applying. VMCAS also acknowledges additional service organizations or incentives for underrepresented candidates to apply with some financial assistance.
Program “coupon codes” and supplemental fee waivers
Some programs that participate in a central application service offer discount “coupon codes” that defray the costs of their supplemental fees to encourage you to apply. Each program should have its own criteria for issuing these “coupon codes,” including a specific timeline for when those coupons need to be redeemed. It is considered rude to ask for such a coupon code; usually, an admissions office will send you a code in response to an advertisement or marketing push to apply. It is proper etiquette to use the code within 24 hours of receipt and to request codes only from schools where you strongly desire to attend.
Application fee increases and fee assistance qualification criteria changes may be announced before April 15 (the tax filing deadline). If you are planning to apply in the early summer, proactively asking for fee assistance may help you buffer the financial burden of the application process.
Table 1. Application fees for 2026-2027 and fee assistance options
Updated December 22, 2025
| 2026-2027 Application (Degree) | Base Fee (US$) | Additional Program Fee (US$) | Financial Waiver? | Service Waiver? | Program Coupons? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AACOMAS (DO) | $198 | $60 | Base only; see income requirements, expires after 14 days | No | Yes |
| AACPMAS (DPM) | $205 | $70 | Base only; expires after 14 days | No | Yes |
| AADSAS (DDS/DMD) | $264 | $115 | Base plus 3 programs ($494 value); expires after 30 days | No | No |
| AMCAS (MD) | $175 | $47 | Up to 20 schools ($1,068 value) | No | No |
| BiomedCAS (PhD) | Fees vary by program | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| CASPA (MSPA) | $184 | $61 | Base plus two programs; expires after 14 days | No | Yes |
| CSDCAS (AuD/MSLP) | $150 | $60 | Base only; expires after 14 days | Yes | Yes |
| NursingCAS undergrad | $60 | $50 | Base only; expires after 30 days | Yes | Yes |
| NursingCAS graduate | $85 | $55 | Base only; expires after 30 days | Yes | Yes |
| OptomCAS (OD) | $187 | $85 | No | No | Yes |
| OTCAS (MOT/OTD) | $169 | $71 | Base only; expires after 14 days | No | Yes |
| PharmCAS (PharmD) | $180 | $60 | Base only; expires after 14 days | No | Yes |
| PostbacCAS | $141 | $56 | No | No | Yes |
| PsyCAS (PsyD/PhD) | $80 | $60 | Base only; expires after 14 days | Yes | Yes |
| PTCAS (DPT) | $175 | $75 | Base only; expires after 14 days | No | Yes |
| SOPHAS (MPH) | $150 | $60 | Base only; expires after 14 days | Yes | Yes |
| VMCAS (DVM/VMD) | $241 | $132 | Base only; expires after 14 days | Yes | Yes |
Table 2. Waivers for service participation (requires certification)
| Program | NursingCAS | PsyCAS | SOPHAS | VMCAS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americorps | y, active only | y | y | |
| Active/Veteran Military Service | y | y | ||
| Bonner Program | y | |||
| Gates Millennium Scholar | y | y | ||
| Leadership Alliance | y | y | ||
| McNair Scholars Program | y | y | y | y |
| Peace Corps | y | y | y | y |
| Teach for America | y | |||
| Vietnam Educational Foundation | y | |||
| International waivers (UN Least Developed Countries) | y | y, alternative process available for non UN LDC citizens |
Frequently Asked Questions About Fee Assistance Programs
Most programs require your 2024 Federal Income Tax Return Form 1040. If you were claimed as a dependent, you will need your parent or guardian’s tax return instead. Have your most recent three years of tax forms available to verify your adjusted gross income falls below qualifying thresholds.
Apply as early as possible once applications are opened. Most fee assistance programs distribute funds on a first-come, first-served basis, and funds can be depleted quickly. Request fee waivers before submitting your application, as retroactive requests are typically not honored.
Yes. Each centralized application service (such as AMCAS, AADSAS, or PTCAS) has its own separate fee assistance program. Qualifying for one does not automatically qualify you for others, so you must apply to each program individually.
Yes. The AAMC Fee Assistance Program also provides free MCAT preparation materials and reduced MCAT testing fees, PREview exam fee waivers, and can qualify you for Acuity Insights (Casper) fee waivers. Recipients will also receive a 60% fee discount for up to 50 residency/ERAS applications.
Some schools offer promotional codes that reduce or eliminate their supplemental application fees. These are typically distributed at recruitment events, virtual fairs, or through direct outreach. It is considered inappropriate to directly request coupon codes; they are usually offered proactively by admissions offices.
Yes. Several programs require you to submit your application within a specific timeframe after receiving your fee waiver (for example, 14 days for OTCAS and VMCAS, and 30 days for AADSAS FAP recipients). Check each program’s specific requirements.
Starting July 1, 2026, new federal loan caps and the elimination of Grad PLUS loans mean students may need to rely more on private loans. Reducing application costs through fee assistance programs helps preserve financial resources for educational expenses. See our article on Financial Aid for 2026 Incoming Health Professional Students Post-OBBB for detailed guidance.
Limited options exist. SOPHAS and VMCAS offer fee assistance for citizens of countries on the United Nations Least Developed Countries list. Canadian applicants to AADSAS receive a 25% discount on Canadian dental school applications. Most other programs restrict fee assistance to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Updates
This article was extensively updated on December 22, 2025 with a revised title and fee tables, and the addition of an abstract, a new section on the impact of the OBBB act on application planning, and a Frequently Asked Questions section.
Thank you so much for the article! I really needed this!
We’re glad you found it useful! 🙂
Thank you for this great post! Are there a list of universities/schools who partner in SOPHAS Coupon Codes? Honestly based on responses to my emails, it seems that there are only a few. Also, I became doubtful that international students, without participation in some events/conferences, will get the coupon codes.
Thank you for reading this article! How coupon codes are distributed is at the discretion of the program’s admissions or recruitment office, and they are meant to motivate candidates to apply. It makes sense that one could receive a code after meeting their recruitment officers at conferences or events, which is why networking is such an essential part of looking at programs before applying. Good luck!