About the Program:
The VMCAS Fee Assistance Program for VMCAS 2025 will Open in June
A limited number of VMCAS fee waivers are provided to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until allotted funds are exhausted. 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 fee assistance in the next cycle. The VMCAS fee assistance program will open in June.
The Fee Assistance Program approval is tied directly to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ poverty level guidelines. You will be granted a fee waiver if each household reported on your application has a 2023 total family income that is 300 percent (300%) or less than the 2023 national poverty level for that family size (see VMCAS Eligibility column of chart). For more information and for guidelines in Hawaii and Alaska, please visit: 2023 Federal Poverty Guidelines.
*Size of family means the number of exemptions listed on the qualified income tax return forms. For example, a family size of 4 may include two parents and two dependents.
** Income Level refers to the adjusted gross income stated on the federal income tax return 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ.
Service-based Fee Assistance
To qualify for a service-based fee waiver, you must have participated in one of the eligible service-based organizations:
- Active or Veteran Military Service Member
- AmeriCorps
- McNair Scholar
- Peace Corps Volunteer
- Teach for America
The Merck Animal Health Diversity Applicant Fee Assistance Program
The Merck Animal Health Diversity Applicant Fee Assistance Program will provide a limited number of fee waivers to qualified applicants to have one additional designation fee waived. Qualified applicants include those who are minority applicants from groups that are underrepresented in veterinary medicine (URVM), first-generation college students, and Pell Grant eligible students. Additional details will be available by June 2024.
The Fee Assistance Program will open in June.
The VMCAS Help Center contains full details and instructions on how to apply for the Fee Assistance Program.
Please email your questions to: ddabdub@aavmc.org.
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