Financial Support
Our vision is to increase diversity among medical students by eliminating some of the financial barriers associated with applying to medical school.
MD AIDE
MD Admissions Initiative for Diversity and Equity (MD AIDE) works to address inequity in the medical school admissions process that disadvantages students facing financial barriers and students from underrepresented backgrounds. We work alongside the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry's MD Program office, the Division of Community Engagement, and community partners to offer a wide variety of support to potential applicants.
As an MD AIDE student, you will receive both free MCAT and Interview preparation. Over the summer, we offer a 3 month MCAT prep course taught by current medical students. The course consists of two 3 hour sessions a week from May to July. Students will also receive access to donated MCAT prep books and AAMC practice questions and exams. MD AIDE students are set up with a medical student mentor to provide guidance and support throughout the application process. We will be providing an Interview preparation course from December to January. This is available to past and current MD AIDE students as well as Indigenous students applying to the University of Alberta's medical school.
For more information about the MD AIDE Program, contact mdaide@ualberta.ca
Apply NowMCAT Fee Assistance Program
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) are piloting a new fee assistance program for Canadian examinees in financial need who register for the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®).
Students interested in the Fee Assistance Program for Canadians can learn more about the eligibility criteria, application process, and deadlines by visiting AFMC's website. AFMC will review applications, determine eligibility for financial assistance and notify awardees.
Read more about the MCAT Fee Assistance Program
Medical school application fee waiver program
University of Alberta Medical School Application Fee Waiver Program 2024/2025
The goal of the University of Alberta Medical School Application Waiver Program is to help reduce financial barriers faced by medical school applicants from low-income backgrounds. This program is open to any Canadian students or students with permanent resident status who anticipate applying to the University of Alberta MD Program during the 2024-2025 application cycle. Selected applicants will have the $180 fee required to apply to the University of Alberta MD Program waived.
Applications to the fee waiver program open on May 13, 2024, and close on July 15, 2024 (11:59 PM). Please note that you may apply for the fee waiver before the MD Program application opens. Please do not pay the MD Program application fee until you hear back from the fee waiver program.
You may check your eligibility and apply to the fee waiver program here.
Please note that to apply, you will need to provide proof of income (Notice of Assessment) for the 2021 or 2022 calendar year for yourself, your spouse (if applicable) and all of your living parents (if you are under 25 years old) along with a signed consent form from each individual.
As there are a limited number of awards, applicants with the greatest financial need will receive the medical school application fee waivers. Applicants of Indigenous ancestry or who live in Alberta, Yukon, Nunavut, or Northwest Territories will be preferentially selected for the awards. If successful, you will be informed by the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) via email by early August 2024.
More information about the fee waiver program can be found on the AFMC website, here. Any questions can be directed to the AFMC at service@afmcstudentportal.ca.
