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Becoming a certified medical assistant can open the door to a rewarding and in-demand healthcare career.
But if you’re worried about how to pay for training, you’re not alone.
Many people delay or give up on this goal because the upfront cost feels out of reach.
At Stepful, it is our mission to overcome barriers like these for the benefit of our students and our communities that need healthcare personnel.
We partner with organizations like the Department of Defense and state workforce boards to provide scholarships and grants so that free or low-cost medical assistant training is possible for a variety of students.
We have funding programs for military spouses and Army and Air Force service members. There are also local workforce programs funded by state governments and employer-sponsored grants for education.
Through these, many students are able to cover most or even all of their training costs. Even if you aren’t eligible for those programs, there are still other ways to reduce the cost of medical assistant training.
This guide covers Stepful’s free medical assistant training options, additional funding sources, and other realistic ways to make training affordable.
Stepful’s Free Medical Assistant Training Grants and Programs
Stepful offers a 5-Month Online Medical Assistant Program designed for adults who want to start working in healthcare as quickly as possible.
The program includes live, instructor-led classes, hands-on skills training, and support to prepare for certification.
The program is designed to be flexible, with part-time and night class options available. Many students complete training while continuing to work or manage other responsibilities.
Besides the time commitment, students are often concerned about how much it costs to become a certified medical assistant.
If paying for training feels like your biggest barrier, explore the options below. Stepful partners with funding programs and offers grants that can significantly lower or eliminate your tuition costs.
Military Spouses
Military spouses may qualify for tuition assistance through the My Career Advancement Account program, or MyCAA. This program helps spouses of active-duty service members pay for training for in-demand careers like medical assisting.
MyCAA funding is designed to reduce financial stress while supporting career growth that can move with military life. Stepful is an approved partner, so MyCAA funding can be used to cover the tuition for our medical assistant training program.
- Who is eligible: Spouses of active-duty, National Guard, and reserves service members in qualifying pay grades who have completed high school
- How to apply: Fill out Stepful’s free application for the Medical Assistant program. When you reach the question about being a military spouse, answer yes. Stepful’s military programs advisor will help you do the rest.
- Amount covered: Up to $2,000 in tuition assistance, which should cover 100% of your Stepful tuition
The Army Credentialing Assistance Program
The Army CA program provides active-duty members with up to $4,000 to pay for training and certifications. This program is designed to support soldiers’ professional development during and after service.
Stepful’s medical assistant training program is an approved program for this funding. That means tuition for the program would be 100% covered.
- Who is eligible: Active-duty soldiers in the Regular Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve in good standing with command approval
- How to apply: Fill out Stepful’s free application for the Medical Assistant program. When you reach the question about military affiliation, answer: Army soldier. Stepful’s military programs advisor will help you do the rest.
- Amount covered: Up to $4,000, which will cover 100% of your Stepful tuition
The Air Force Credentialing Assistance Program
The Air Force CA program provides active-duty members with up to $4,000 to pay for training and certifications. These benefits can pay for approved training that supports career advancement.
Stepful’s medical assistant training program is an approved program for this funding. That means tuition for the program would be 100% covered.
- Who is eligible: Active-duty airmen in the Regular Air Force, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve in good standing with supervisor approval
- How to apply: Fill out Stepful’s free application for the Medical Assistant program. When you reach the question about military affiliation, answer: Air Force airman. Stepful’s military programs advisor will help you do the rest.
- Amount covered: Up to $4,000, which will cover 100% of your Stepful tuition
Local Workforce Board Funding
Many states and counties offer workforce development funding for in-demand healthcare roles like medical assistants.
These programs are often aimed at adults who are unemployed, underemployed, or changing careers. Funding may cover a large portion of training costs.
For example, Michigan offers the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship to residents who graduated from a Michigan high school. This helps residents train for high-demand jobs without taking on debt.
- Who is eligible: U.S. citizens or non-citizens authorized to work in the U.S., who are low-income, unemployed, or underemployed, and over the age of 17
- How to apply: Check your local or state workforce development site or job center to find regional requirements and applications.
- Amount covered: Depends on the program
Employer-Sponsored Grants
Many employers offer tuition assistance or workforce development grants to help employees advance their careers. In some cases, the program does not even need to be directly related to your current role.
Ask your HR representative or manager if your company offers educational reimbursement or career development benefits.
If you already work in healthcare, even in a non-clinical position, your employer may be a great resource. Healthcare employers often support training for medical assistants as part of employee education benefits or in exchange for a work commitment.
- Who is eligible: Employees whose employers offer tuition assistance or grants
- How to apply: Ask your HR or benefits team about how to get support.
- Amount covered: Varies by employer and program
Other Options to Fund Medical Assistant Training
If you are not eligible for any of the free training programs, there are still ways to lower the cost of medical assistant training.
Stepful offers several kinds of financial aid for aspiring medical assistants. Many students combine smaller funding sources to make tuition manageable without taking on debt.
Note that federal financial aid cannot be used to pay for Stepful’s programs. However, there are still other ways to get financial support.
Below are some options to consider:
Stepful’s Need-Based Tuition Grants
Stepful offers need-based tuition grants to make its programs more accessible. Most students paying out-of-pocket qualify for grants that can significantly lower the cost of tuition. The best part is that these grants do not have to be repaid.
To qualify, you need to be eligible for Stepful’s Medical Assistant Program and plan to pay out-of-pocket in full or in installments. The residents of certain states are not eligible for these grants.
To find out more, fill out the free application for the program, and a Stepful advisor will help you do the rest.
Scholarships and Grants
There are a variety of medical assistant scholarships and grants that can help you pay for medical assistant training.
Scholarships and grants may come from many different places, from nationwide programs all the way down to local community group initiatives.
They may be provided by government programs, community groups like Rotary Clubs, healthcare foundations, or professional groups like the American Association of Medical Assistants.
Eligibility and availability vary, so it is worth applying to more than one option when possible.
Stepful’s Payment Plans
Stepful believes that medical assistant students should not have to take out thousands of dollars in loans to get a good job in healthcare.
So, we offer flexible payment plans that help spread out tuition without charging interest like a loan would.
You can choose a payment plan when you apply for the medical assistant program.
If cost is the main thing holding you back from becoming a medical assistant, it’s worth taking time to explore these options.
Between Stepful’s grants, partner programs, and flexible payment choices, many students find a path forward that fits their budget.
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