Top Medical Assistant Classes Online with Financial Aid

In-Depth Look at Medical Assistant Programs that Accept and Offer Aid

If you’re looking for a program that accepts federal financial aid, you’ll need to look for a school that is accredited by a regional accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). That’s because federal financial aid is typically only available to students enrolled in regionally accredited programs. Medical assisting programs may also be accredited, most commonly by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and/or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

Individual programs may also offer financial aid, which means you can apply for scholarships, grants, or other sources of funding from the school itself. Below, explore three of the many online medical assistant programs that offer financial aid.

Common Questions About Medical Assistant Schools that Take Financial Aid

Now that you’ve explored just a few of the medical assistant program options that offer financial aid, you likely have more questions about costs, federal assistance, and the impact of online education on your ability to qualify. Below, find answers to these questions and more.

How much does it cost for medical assistant schooling?

The cost of an online medical assistant program varies as significantly as the pathways to this future career. Many students take an accelerated online course, which can range anywhere from $650 to $4,000 of more and prepare you to sit for a certification exam. Others decide to earn a two-year associate degree, which typically costs significantly more than the certificate but is still considered affordable and can be an attractive degree option for employers. Still others decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree in health and wellness fields, committing to a four-year degree that makes them stand out from their peers.

If you’re considering an associate or bachelor’s degree option, you’ll routinely be paying anywhere from $10,000 to $60,000 or more. However, with degree options, you’ll more likely be able to apply for federal financial aid, and scholarships/grants are more often available.

Can I use FAFSA for a medical assistant program?

Most but not all medical assistant training programs, both online and on-campus, are eligible for federal student aid. Be sure to confirm aid eligibility with any program you are considering before enrolling.

Federal student aid is overseen by the U.S. Department of Education and is available in three forms: Federal loans (money to pay for school that must be paid back), grants (money awarded that does not require repayment) and work-study jobs (part-time jobs for students demonstrating financial need). The process for obtaining federal aid begins by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Can you still get financial aid for online classes?

Yes, online programs often offer financial aid. Federal aid from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) is available to schools that participate in the federal student aid programs (use the Federal School Code Search to check).

The DOE notes that three types of institutions are eligible to participate in the federal student aid programs, including:

• institutions of higher education
• proprietary institutions of higher education
• postsecondary vocational institutions

Additionally, most online programs will have their own school-specific assistance programs, grants, scholarships, loans, and payment plans. Check with your program or school to see what kind of financial aid is available to you.

Can I still get financial aid if I only take one class?

On the road to becoming a certified medical assistant, you may end up taking an accelerated online course that may span anywhere from six weeks to six months. These are typically certificate-preparation programs, so they’re not degree programs where you’ll graduate with an associate or bachelor’s degree.

In these cases, federal financial aid may not always be an option — though the DOE does note that post-secondary vocational institutions can qualify for federal aid. Your best bet is to check with your school or program to see what’s available for you.

The bottom line is that most schools do offer their own forms of financial aid to students, most often scholarships or payment plans. For example, the U.S. Career Institute’s online Medical Assistant Certificate program allows you to pay in full for $1,479, or you can pay $79 monthly for a total of $1,779.

Key Financial Support Options for Medical Assistant Students

If you’re one of the many future students seeking help in paying for your medical assistant education, you have several resources that may be available to you that don’t include a cash from your parents or draining your savings account. Learn more about the most common options below.

Federal Student Aid

This is the most common type of financial aid for college students, including those seeking a medical assisting education. You’ll want to check with your institution or program to ask whether they accept federal aid, and if so, you’ll complete a FAFSA to determine your qualifying amounts. Additionally, some schools use information from the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for their grants, scholarships, and loans.

Institutional Aid

Medical assistant students may also have access to extra funding resources provided by their college or training program. School-based financial aid typically includes scholarships, grants, and loans, similar to what’s available through federal student aid but offered by the institution instead of the federal government. It’s strongly recommended that you research the opportunity to receive school-based financial aid when you’re looking into different medical assistant training programs.

Payment Plans

These are offered by many medical assistant training programs, and they’re popular among students because they allow them to pay for their tuition, fees, and other related expenses over time through weekly or monthly installments. Payment plans may or may not charge interest, but the likelihood of this goes up the longer the plan is. Instead of interest, some programs charge a one-time flat fee for financing. The opportunity to have a payment plan is typically decided by the school on a student-by-student basis, which is usually determined by proof of financial need. If you’re interested in a payment plan, it’s important to check with your program to determine availability.

Scholarships & Grants

Scholarships and grants are great options for financing your medical assistant education because, similar to federal grants, the funds you receive do not have to be paid back. Scholarship eligibility varies depending on the specific scholarship, so it’s important to contact your school’s financial aid office to get relevant information about the scholarships available for the program you enroll in. Here are just two of the many scholarships available for medical assistant students:

Examples:

Alice Newell Joslyn Medical Scholarship

• Amount: $500 – $2,000
• If you live in San Diego County and are entering the medical/healthcare profession — including medical assisting — this is a solid option. Eligibility factors in financial need, scholastic determination, and community/cultural awareness.

Maxine Williams Scholarship

• Amount: Up to $1,000
• This program is open to students who have completed at least one semester/quarter in a postsecondary medical assisting program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Selection is based on academic ability (a GPA of 3.0 or higher) and financial need.

Find more scholarships for medical assistant students.