How to Make PA School Applications More Affordable

There is no denying that applying to physician assistant school is expensive. It takes real sacrifices of time and money to complete all the requirements and steps to become a PA. But there are reasons the process is built this way. The bachelor's degree, plus the hours of patient care experience, shadowing, and volunteering, are what separate becoming a PA from nursing and medical school. You put in the time and money up front in exchange for a shorter training program.

For some perspective, being married to a medical resident, I have seen how much money medical school costs and how long residency takes at an inadequate salary, which is a huge sacrifice. With nursing you finish sooner but do not have the same salary or responsibilities as a PA. If the time and requirements were identical across all of these, there would not be much to distinguish the career paths. So while the cost is frustrating, it is part of what makes the PA route what it is.

PAs are known for being resourceful go-getters, and you have to bring that energy to finding hours. As an undergrad working multiple jobs, or as someone supporting a family, this is hard. Sometimes the answer is taking a little longer and spreading things out, and that is okay. There is a lot of pressure to race to the finish line, but it is fine if it takes you longer than you would prefer. Just make sure you meet all of a program's requirements before you apply, because schools will not consider an application that comes in below their minimums, and that wastes your time and money.

Use small chunks of time wisely and find volunteer work you actually enjoy so it does not feel like checking a box. Shadowing hours are tough to find, but if you keep asking, someone will eventually say yes. Ask your neighbor's cousin who works with a nurse, cold call offices like I did, and know that even one callback is a start. Becoming a PA may also mean taking a pay cut for a patient care job, since many entry-level positions pay near minimum wage. Being frugal for a few years can pay off later. Put your numbers on paper, look at what you spend, and see what you can make happen. I have personally raided my closet and sold things on eBay to hit a financial goal.

Look for waivers and scholarships, because they are out there. One of my biggest regrets from undergrad is not applying for more scholarships. A simple Google search turns up many options, and a lot are geared toward healthcare students. Visit your financial aid office to see what your school offers. It does not take long to fill out a form and write a short essay, and you never know unless you apply.

Both the GRE and CASPA offer income-based waivers to help with application costs. CASPA's fee waiver covers the first application fee of $179 and is given on a first come, first served basis, so you need everything organized before it is time to apply. The GRE costs $205 and the waiver covers 50% of one testing. On test day you can send your scores to 4 programs for free, so make sure your CASPA account is set up to take advantage of this. Plan ahead, know the expenses coming your way, and start saving even a little at a time.

Interview costs sneak up on people, so start thinking about them early. Pay for everything you can with a credit card that earns travel points, and try to pay it off in time. I put my bills, tithe, and everything on my card, and those points add up. The Southwest card by Chase is a popular option that helps with flights. Look for cheaper hotels, or split a room or Airbnb with another applicant.

Start looking for your interview suit early so you can catch a deal. Check the thrift stores nearby, ask a friend to borrow one, or hit the clearance rack. Mine came from the Banana Republic Factory Store clearance section. Small choices like these add up over an interview season.

Finally, lean on free resources. If you read through the blog posts here, listen to The Pre-PA Club podcast, watch the YouTube videos, join the Facebook group, and look through past Instagram posts and stories, I can almost guarantee you will find most of the answers you are looking for, all for free. If you still cannot find an answer, Google it, and if you still come up empty, email us and we will point you in the right direction.

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Applying to PA school costs real money, but waivers, scholarships, free resources, and a little planning can take a big bite out of the total. Take it one step at a time and know that doing your best with what you have is genuinely enough. If you want a roadmap for the whole timeline, grab our free application timeline to map out your expenses early.