Frequently Asked Questions
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This program is not affiliated with any government, college or university, scholarship, grant or fellowship programs. This is an independent program offered by ADEA.
- Am I eligible for the Fee Assistance Program?
- When can I apply to FAP?
- What are some examples of Non-Taxable Income?
- How do I submit documentation if my parents only receive Social Security benefits and did not file taxes for the applicable tax year?
- How do I record unemployment benefits for my parents and/or me on my application?
- How many times am I eligible to receive fee assistance?
How many times can I apply to FAP?
- When should i submit my online FAP application and FAP packet?
- What if I am unable to provide the “Required Documentation”?
- What if I am unable to provide “Additional Supporting Documentation”?
- Will applying for FAP delay the processing of my ADEA AADSAS application?
- Once I have been approved for Fee Assistance, what happens next?
- How much should i expect to receive in fee assistance?
- If I have any additional questions during the process, who do I contact?
Q. Am I eligible for the Fee Assistance Program?
Eligible applicants must:
- Create an ADEA AADSAS application
- Be U.S citizen/permanent resident (for dependents-must be born after January 1, 1986): Spouse, Parent and Guardian are U.S citizens/permanent residents)
- If re-applying, not have applied to the FAP program more than three times.
- Complete and Submit the Fee Assistance Program section prior to eSubmitting their ADEA AADSAS application
- Demonstrate extreme financial hardship, as established by ADEA AADSAS. (Applicants will need to provide supporting documents to ADEA AADSAS-Please read all instructions or contact FAPAADSAS@adea.org for more information.)
As a general guide, you may wish to apply for fee assistance if your annual income level is within the U.S. Bureau of Census’ low-income threshold for your family’s size.
Q. When can I apply to FAP?
A. The Fee Assistance Program (FAP) begins at the launch of the ADEA AADSAS Application Cycle on June 1, 2011 and ends on January 10, 2012. Applicants must submit their FAP request before they eSubmit their ADEA AADSAS application. The FAP program ends January 10, 2012 or when all funds are depleted.
Q. What are some examples of non-taxable Income?
A. Some examples of non-taxable income are:
- Aid to Families with Dependent Children
- Cash support or money paid on your behalf
- Estimated value of goods or services (such as free room and board provided by a relative or through financial aid)
- Housing, food, and other living allowances, such as those provided to military or clergy (including cash payments and cash value of goods and services)
- Medical expenses paid by third parties
- Social Security benefits (untaxed portions)
- Unemployment compensation
- Veteran’s benefits
- Welfare benefits (federal, state or local)
- Workers’ compensation
- Any other income or benefits not entered or included somewhere
Q. How do I submit documentation if my parents only receive Social Security benefits and did not file taxes for the applicable tax year?
A. Social Security and Disability benefits should be recorded as Non-Taxable Income on the Parent/Guardian Information Form.
Q. How do I record unemployment benefits for my parents and/or me on my application?
A. Unemployment benefits are taxable and should be recorded on the Federal Tax Form as Adjusted Gross Income. Therefore, on either information form for you or your parents, all unemployment benefits should be included as “Income.”
Q. How many times am I eligible to receive fee assistance?
A. ADEA AADSAS allows applicants three cycles to submit a request for Fee Assistance. You may apply for fee assistance only once per application cycle.
Q. When should I complete the FAP section and submit my FAP packet?
A. An applicant must complete and save the FAP section before they eSubmit their ADEA AADSAS application. ADEA AADSAS recommends that you apply to FAP at least 2 weeks before your earliest dental school designations deadline. This includes completing the FAP section and sending all required documents (FAP Packet) to ADEA AADSAS for review. This allows adequate time for you to complete the FAP process and receive a decision from ADEA AADSAS concerning your request.
Note: Your FAP packet must contain all required documents for your application to be considered. FAP Packets that are missing important documentation will automatically be denied. Be sure to contact ADEA AADSAS at FAPAADSAS@adea.org if you are not clear on what needs to be sent. Once you have submitted your online FAP request and submitted your FAP packet, ADEA AADSAS will begin reviewing your request to determine if you are eligible for fee assistance.
Q. What if I am unable to provide the “Required Documentation”?
A. All required documentation (see Required Documentation in Instructions) must be sent together in your FAP packet-no exceptions. Inability to provide documentation may prevent ADEA AADSAS from approving your application. Required documentation supports the information you have reported on your application. If you are unable to provide a specific item, you must include a letter with your application explaining why you are unable to provide the item(s). It is strongly recommended that you consistently check the status of your FAP application by logging into your ADEA AADSAS application for important information. You will be responsible for meeting all deadline dates. Deadline dates will not be extended for any reason.
Q. What if I am unable to provide “Additional Supporting Documentation”?
A. If you are unable to provide additional supporting documentation to further substantiate your need for financial assistance, it may result in a denial. Inability to provide documentation prevents ADEA AADSAS from approving your application.
It is strongly recommended that you consistently check the status of your FAP request by logging into your ADEA AADSAS application for important information. You will be responsible for meeting all deadline dates. Deadline dates will not be extended for any reason.
Q. Will applying for FAP delay the processing of my ADEA AADSAS application?
A. Yes. Applicants should be aware that after he/she completes the FAP process, ADEA AADSAS will begin reviewing their request for Fee Assistance. During the review process, your ADEA AADSAS application will have a pending status. Generally, decisions are made within days of receiving an applicants request and required documents. Applicants should not eSubmit their ADEA AADSAS application while a FAP decision is pending, if so, your request for Fee Assitance will automatically be denied.
Q. Once I have submitted my request for Fee Assistance, what happens next?
A. Applicants that are approved will have the first initial dental school designation fee ($235) waived and will be notified via email. After approval, applicants should choose one dental school designation, complete, and eSubmit their ADEA AADSAS application. Applicants that wish to apply to additional dental school designations may do so once they have completed the FAP process.
Applicants that are denied will receive an email from FAPAADSAS denying their request for Fee Assistance. At which time, applicants may log-in to their ADEA AADSAS application and complete the ADEA AADSAS process.
Note: Applicants that are denied may select more than one dental school designation. They may also select credit card or check/money order to pay for their ADEA AADSAS application fees.
FAP decisions are final. However, if you have any questions regarding your FAP application, contact FAPAADSAS@adea.org.
Q. How much should I expect to receive in fee assistance?
A. Applicants qualifying for ADEA AADSAS Fee Assistance receive a fee waiver for the first dental school designation ($235). After receiving the fee waiver, applicants may apply to additional dental schools ($75/designation). ADEA fee assistance covers the cost of the first dental school designation only. There is no fee assistance for additional dental school designations.
Q. If I have any additional questions during the process, whom do I contact?
A. For questions regarding FAP contact FAPAADSAS@adea.org, Monday through Friday from 9:00am – 4:30pm (Eastern Time).
It is important to submit all required documents in the same packet at the same time. Applicants that are missing required and supporting documentation in their FAP Packet will automatically be denied for FAP. Be sure to read all instructions carefully.
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