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AAPCCA Hardship/Disaster Assistance Funds Information

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When applying for a financial assistance, all sections of the form MUST be filled out completely. Of particular importance is the section marked "Reason For Request/Financial Hardship". This narrative tells the personal story of your need, gives specifics of your hardship, and discusses what other steps you have taken to otherwise meet your need. As it states, complete the section "IN DETAIL". This section provides an opportunity for a personal appeal to the committee; the importance of the contents of this section cannot be overstressed.

General Questions

Developed and overseen by the AAPCCA Board of Directors (BOD), it is a financial aid program created with the intent of assisting AAPC members with membership and certification in times of financial difficulty due to an unexpected hardship.

Any AAPC member who:

  • Is in good standing with AAPC
  • Has been a member of AAPC for at least 12 months
  • Can demonstrate a financial hardship
  • Has exhausted other avenues of assistance

No, but local chapter involvement carries merit in the decision-making process.

The AAPCCA Hardship Fund Committee (HFC).

Past members of the AAPCCA Board of Directors (BOD).

The identity of those who serve is protected and is not published, thereby ensuring no pressure is placed on individual committee members.

No, the program is not intended to be used for non-hardship cases.

Award Questions:

No, but we do encourage paying it forward and making a donation to the fund when your financial situation changes.

The HFC will notify AAPC, who will process the award. AAPC will then notify the member by email that the goods/services are available. No money will exchange hands.

Applicants who receive awards must initiate or use the award within 3 months (90 days) from the date of the award letter. Membership dues and books are purchased immediately by AAPC on behalf of the HFC.

Fund Coverage Questions:

The fund was created to assist members with maintaining annual membership dues and/or certification.

Requests may be made for assistance with payment of AAPC branded goods and/or services that include, but are not limited to, the following possibilities:

  • National membership renewal dues
  • Exam prep tools, such as study guides
  • Current year or older coding books
  • Required specialty CEUs
  • Registration for national or regional conferences
  • Certain local chapter events
  • Other special requests (within the guidelines and on a case-by-case basis)

The following items will not be covered

  • Non-AAPC branded or sponsored events
  • Initial AAPC dues
  • Corporate membership renewals
  • Additional certifications for AAPC members
  • Reimbursement for items previously purchased
  • Memberships or certifications from organizations other than AAPC

Additional certifications, for any reason, are not covered by this fund at this time.

The purpose of this fund is to assist members who are experiencing unexpected financial hardship and who are in jeopardy of losing their membership, certification, or who are financially unable to obtain an initial certification. Job enhancement certifications are not covered by this fund.

Renewal of membership is covered by this fund, however initial membership with AAPC is excluded from this fund. You must be a current member of the AAPC to apply.

Applications are valid for AAPC-sponsored events and products; however, housing, travel, and other related expenses are not covered. You may apply for assistance with an AAPC conference registration, but you should include with your application how you plan to cover the related expenses of travel, lodging, and meals.

Application Process Questions:

Describe your immediate circumstances and how you are experiencing difficulties maintaining your membership and/or certification. You should also explain how being granted this financial aid will help you maintain membership and/or certification. Include other funding sources you have tried, information about your ability to contribute, any contributions your employer has made, information about your local chapter's resources, etc.

At the present time, there are no restrictions on number of applications, however it is requested that a member wait at least one year before reapplying. If you find yourself in an additional financial hardship before the year is up, you may apply again.

All applicants will receive an email from the HFC.

The process can take up to six weeks, although the committee strives for a much quicker turn around.

Keeping the Funds Going:

Applications will be suspended until the fund is back to a sustainable level.

Every member and every local chapter! No amount is too small!

No. Although the AAPCCA is a non-profit organization, it is not considered tax-exempt with 501C3 tax status

Checks may be made payable to the AAPCCA Hardship Fund and sent to:
AAPCCA Hardship Fund Program
2233 S Presidents Dr., Suite F
Salt Lake City, UT 84120

Helpful Hints for Members:

  • Get involved with your local chapter!
  • Attend chapter meetings.
  • Participate in chapter meetings.
  • Network at chapter meetings.
  • Volunteer at chapter meetings.
  • Volunteer to proctor an exam.
  • Volunteer to serve as an officer.

Helpful Hints for Local Chapter Officers:

  • When possible, consider reduced registration fees to local chapter events for members experiencing a proven hardship. Also consider asking the member to volunteer at chapter events to offset the registration fee, (i.e. work registration at the event or a local chapter meeting, serve as second proctor for an exam, assist with check in and book checks at an exam, secure a speaker for a chapter meeting, speak at a chapter meeting).
  • Ask for donations of coding books from previous years for members to study by and practice with.
  • Provide a resource list for chapter members for low-to no-cost CEUs.
  • Reminder: local chapters cannot charge members to attend general local chapter meetings. Members should only be charged the amount necessary to cover the meeting costs.
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