How do I apply for financial aid? Will my parents have to disclose their financial information?

Every student applying for financial aid to attend medical schools fills out the “Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)” form to be considered for federal financial aid, which is the largest source of assistance. Some medical schools will require you to complete additional forms, as well as provide documentation, such as copies of tax returns. 

So that you can be considered for all available financial aid, it is essential that you complete all the forms that the medical school requires and complete these forms on time. Be sure to connect with the financial aid advisor at each medical school to which you apply as early in your application process as possible.

To be considered for certain sources of financial aid, your parents will need to provide their financial information, no matter how old you are and even if you are financially independent of your parents. The financial aid advisors at the medical schools at which you apply can give you more information about whether your parents need to submit information and what forms to fill out.

For More Information:

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)  - Free Resource!
  This is a complete how-to guide on gathering required documents, completing necessary forms, and checking the staus of your application.
  
  

• Required Financial Aid Forms  - Free Resource!
  Information about the financial aid forms required by each medical school can be found in the searchable database on the AAMC Web site.

• (MD)²: Monetary Decisions for Medical Doctors  - Free Resource!
  This comprehensive, Web-based program helps premedical and medical students in their financial planning and is tailored to the specific needs of students during different phases of their education.
  
  

• Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR™)
  Published by the AAMC, this book is the most authoritative guide for applying to medical school. This accurate, thorough, and reliable resource is the only complete guide to U.S. and Canadian medical schools fully authorized by the schools themselves.  In it you will find information on application procedures and deadlines, selection factors (including MCAT® scores and grade-point averages), medical school class profiles, education costs and financial aid packages, and much more.
  
  

• Minority Student Opportunities in United States Medical Schools (MSOUSMS)
  This guide is designed specifically for minority students to be used as a companion to Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR^TM).  It presents information from individual medical schools about recruitment programs, admission, academic support programs, financial aid, and more.