Can You Use FAFSA for Medical Assistant School? A Brooklyn Student’s Guide for 2027

Yes. You can submit the FAFSA to apply for financial aid for medical assistant school when the school participates in federal student aid and your program is eligible. At MBS Career Institute in Brooklyn, eligible students in the longer, registered programs, including the Medical Assistant program, may qualify for the Federal Pell Grant and New York State TAP.

If you plan to start medical assistant training in 2027, now is a good time to explore financial aid. This guide explains how to choose the correct FAFSA award year, which grants may help cover tuition, and what New York students should know before applying. For information about aid at MBS, visit our Financial Aid page.

Which FAFSA Form Should You Complete?

Federal student aid follows an award year that runs from July 1 through June 30. Choose the FAFSA for the year in which you will attend school. A spring 2027 start generally falls within the 2026-27 award year, while a fall 2027 start falls within 2027-28. Ask the Financial Aid Office which application you need, especially if your program spans two award years.

If you plan to start	File this FAFSA
Spring 2027	2026-27 FAFSA (the award year that ends June 30, 2027)
Summer 2027	Ask the Financial Aid Office, because a summer term can fall in either award year
Fall 2027	2027-28 FAFSA
A program that continues past June 30	Both, because aid must be renewed every year you attend

Complete the FAFSA free of charge at StudentAid.gov. Check the available award years and applicable deadlines before submitting your application.

What Makes a Career Program Eligible for Federal Aid

Not every training program is eligible for federal student aid. Before choosing a school, check these three requirements:

• Accreditation. The school must be accredited by an agency the Department of Education recognizes. You can look a school up in the department’s DAPIP database.
• Title IV participation. The school must take part in federal student aid programs and appear in the FAFSA school search.
• An eligible program. Short courses often do not qualify, even at a school that takes federal aid.

MBS Career Institute is accredited by Middle States (MSA-CESS) and registered by the New York State Department of Education. All curricula are approved by the NYSED Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision. Consumer information, including required federal disclosures, is on our Disclosures page.

The Grants That Can Help Pay for Medical Assistant Training

1. The Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant provides need-based aid that generally does not have to be repaid. Eligibility and award amounts depend on federal rules, your financial circumstances, enrollment, and other factors. Lifetime limits apply. The Financial Aid Office can explain how these requirements apply to your program.

2. New York State TAP

The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) helps eligible residents pay tuition. MBS lists full-time enrollment in an eligible program of at least 1,440 instructional hours among its TAP requirements, along with residency and other eligibility criteria. Complete the TAP application through NYS HESC and ask the Financial Aid Office to confirm your eligibility.

3. What About Shorter Courses?

Do not assume a short standalone course qualifies for Pell or TAP. Confirm eligibility for the exact course before enrolling. At MBS, phlebotomy and EKG skills are taught inside the Medical Assistant program, so students interested in these skills can ask whether that program fits their training goals and financial aid needs. See Phlebotomy and EKG Technician Training for how the training works.

 

High School Diploma From Another Country? Read This Before You File

If you completed high school outside the United States, ask the Financial Aid Office which documents and evaluations you need. MBS accepts qualifying foreign credentials equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma. Its published guidance also identifies an ability-to-benefit test or a high school equivalency credential as a requirement before a first TAP award for students with foreign high school credentials. Confirm the requirements early so any testing can be scheduled on time.

Does Financial Aid Cover ESL?

Financial aid may be available for qualifying ESL coursework connected to an eligible career program. Standalone English classes do not automatically qualify. Ask the Financial Aid Office to review your planned course of study. At MBS, the process generally follows these steps:

1. You enroll in a career program, such as Medical Assistant or Medical Office Specialist.
2. You take the ESL placement examination.
3. If your English is below the level the program requires, you complete ESL first.
4. The Financial Aid Office confirms whether your ESL coursework qualifies for aid.
5. You continue into your career program.

A high school diploma or GED is required for ESL admission. The program has six levels, and the placement exam sets where you begin. Read more on our ESL classes in Brooklyn page.

How to File: A Six-Step Checklist for Spring and Fall Starts

1. Create your StudentAid.gov account. Any parent or spouse who must contribute information needs one too. You can invite them by text or email from inside the form.
2. Gather your documents. Have your Social Security number, required tax information, and other requested financial records ready.
3. File the right FAFSA. Use the table above. Search for MBS Career Institute by name when you add schools.
4. Complete the TAP application. New York residents finish this through HESC once the FAFSA is submitted.
5. Respond promptly to verification requests. If your application is selected for review, submit the requested documents to help avoid delays.
6. Meet with our Financial Aid Office. Then finish your application and, if you need it, the ESL placement exam.

Which MBS Medical Programs Are Aid-Eligible?

Program	What you learn	Pell and TAP
Medical Assistant	Clinical and administrative skills, plus a 360-hour supervised internship	Available to eligible students
Medical Office Specialist	Medical records, insurance claims, scheduling and office software, plus an internship	Available to eligible students
Medical Billing and Coding	ICD-10-CM and CPT coding, claims and electronic health records	Through Medical Assistant or Medical Office Specialist, where it is taught
Phlebotomy and EKG	Blood draws, specimen handling and electrocardiograms	Through an eligible Medical Assistant program; confirm standalone course eligibility
ESL	Six levels of English, starting from a placement exam	May be available for qualifying coursework connected to an eligible career program

Not sure which program fits? Our post on how a medical administrative assistant differs from a medical biller is a good place to start, and our guide on how to become a medical assistant covers the full path.

Plan Your Next Step

Before deciding that medical assistant training is out of reach, find out what financial aid may be available. Confirm your program and start date, complete the correct FAFSA, and speak with a financial aid counselor about your options. Planning a bigger change this year? Read our guide to changing careers into healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use FAFSA for a non-degree career program?

Yes, if the school is accredited, takes part in federal student aid, and the program itself is eligible. At MBS, eligible students in the longer, registered programs, such as Medical Assistant and Medical Office Specialist, can receive Pell and New York State TAP.

Do I have to pay back a Pell Grant?

In most cases, no. Pell is a grant, not a loan. If you withdraw before finishing a term, part of the award may have to be returned, so speak with the Financial Aid Office before you drop classes.

Which FAFSA do I file for a spring 2027 start?

Generally, the 2026-27 FAFSA applies to a spring 2027 start. If your program continues into another award year, you may need to submit the next year’s FAFSA as well. Confirm the correct forms with the Financial Aid Office.

Can I get TAP for medical assistant school in New York?

Eligible New York residents can, when they enroll full-time in a program of at least 1,440 instructional hours. The Medical Assistant program at MBS meets that length. Students with a foreign high school credential must pass a federally approved ability-to-benefit test or earn a GED before their first TAP award.

Does financial aid cover phlebotomy classes?

Aid eligibility depends on the specific course or program. At MBS, phlebotomy and EKG skills are taught within the Medical Assistant program, where eligible students may qualify for aid. Ask about coverage before enrolling in a standalone course.

Financial aid rules, award amounts and deadlines change every year. MBS Career Institute does not guarantee aid to any student. Confirm current details at StudentAid.gov, with NYS HESC, and with our Financial Aid Office.

Ready to find out what you qualify for? Call MBS Career Institute at (718) 234-4000 or visit us at 2115 Benson Avenue, Brooklyn, near Caesar’s Bay. Start with our Financial Aid page, then apply online.