Application Process

Thank you for your interest in NIMAA! You'll find all the information you need to complete your application on this page. If you ever have any questions you can always contact our team directly.

Apply Now! Application deadline is November 27.

Spring 2025 Cohort Information Sessions

Where is NIMAA currently offered?

NIMAA is an online program that also requires students to complete 240 hours of clinical experience at one of the many externship organizations that work with us. Students applying for the program must be located near one of our approved externship partners. We are excited to work with the following healthcare organizations to support the externship experience:

Spring 2025 Cohort:

Colorado
- Clinica Family Health
  - Boulder, Denver, Lafayette, Westminster, Thornton
- Denver Health and Hospital Authority
  - Bernard F Gipson Eastside Family Health Center, Federico F Pena Southwest Family Health Center, Primary Care Clinic at OMC, Lowry Family Health Center, Montbello Family Health Center, Parkhill Family Health Center, San Sandos Westside Family Health Center, Wellington E Webb Center for Primary Care, Westwood Family Health Center, Sloans Lake Primary Care Center
- Salud Family Health Centers
  - Aurora, Brighton, Commerce City, Estes Park, Ft. Collins, Frederick, Longmont, Ft. Lupton, Ft. Morgan, Sterling
- San Luis Valley Health
  - Alamosa, Antonito, La Jara
- Tepeyac Community Health Center
  - Denver
- Valley Wide Health Systems
  - Alamosa, La Junta, Las Animas, Bueno Vista
Connecticut
- Fair Haven Community Health Care
  - New Haven
- Shoreline Family Health Care
  - Branford
Hawaii
- Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center
  - Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center
Idaho
- Health West
  - Pocatello, Chubbuck, Lava Hot Springs, Downey, Preston, American Falls, Aberdeen
Illinois
- Chicago Family Health Center
  - South Chicago, Roseland, Pullman, East Side, Chicago Lawn
- Christian Community Health Center
  - Chicago, South Holland, Calumet City
- Esperanza Health Center (IL)
  - Esperanza at Cultivate Collective, Brighton Park, California, Little Village, 63rd Street, Marquette
- PrimeCare Community Health, Inc.
  - Northwest, Belmont Cragin, Young Family
- Shawnee Health Service and Development Corp.
  - Murphysboro, Carbondale, Marion
- Erie Family Health Centers
  - Chicago, Evanston, Waukegan
Missouri
- Missouri Highlands Health Care
  - Van Buren, Ellington, Piedmont, Doniphan, Poplar Bluff, Eminence, Pilot Knob
- Northeast Missouri Health Council
  - Kirksville, Milan, Edina, Macon
Montana
- Southwest Montana Community Health Center
  - Butte Clinic
New York
- Sun River Health
  - Brooklyn, Jamacia, Spring Valley, Haverstraw, Staten Island, Amenia, Amityville, Peekskill, Bronx
North Carolina
- Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center
  - Ahoskie, Murfressboro, Creswell, Colerain, Woodland
Oregon
- Wallace- Together in Health
  - Portland
- Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center
  - Hilsboro, Cornelius, Beaverton, McMinnville, Newberg
Pennsylvania
- Centerville Clinics
  - Fredericktown, Connellsville, Carmichaels, Charleroi, Uniontown, Washington
- Community Health and Dental Care
  - Pottstown
- Esperanza Health Center (PA)
  - Philadelphia - Kensington and Allegheny, Hunting Park, 5th Street
- Keystone Family Practice
  - Chambersburg, Gerdners
- The Primary Health Network
  - Latrobe, Erie, Clarion, Sharon, Minersville, Beaver Falls, Aliquippa, Titusville, Ellwood City, Greenville, Punxsutawney
- Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers
  - Forest City, Carbondale, Lake Como, Waymart, Honesdale, Jefferson Twp. Tafton, Lords Valley
- The Wright Center for Community Health
  - Scranton, Jermyn, Wilkes-Barre
Texas
- HealthPoint
  - Bryan, College Station, Centerville, Somerville
West Virginia
- Cabin Creek Health Systems
  - Charleston, Sissonville, Clendenin

How much does NIMAA cost? Is there financial aid available?

The NIMAA medical assistant program is designed to be affordable.

We offer multiple payment options for the program, including online and check. For more information about tuition and fees, click here. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information, contact NIMAA's Financial Aid Team at [email protected]

NIMAA was recently approved to participate in the Federal Student Aid (Title IV) program. Click here for more information.

What are the minimum requirements to apply?

Minimum requirements to apply to NIMAA are:

Proof of a high school diploma, GED or equivalent (an official translation by a qualified agency of a foreign transcript demonstrating U.S. HS diploma/GED equivalency is required)*
Literacy in written and spoken English, with additional bilingual requirements at some externship sites
Minimum age of 18 years old by the date of graduation
Residence in a state where NIMAA offers its program

*If you have the required qualifications but do not have access to appropriate documentation due to extenuating circumstances, please contact NIMAA Admissions at [email protected] to discuss.

What are the steps in the admissions process?

These are the steps in the application process:

Complete the online NIMAA application. You don't have to finish it all at once. You will receive an email with a link to complete it later, if needed.
Pay the $25 application fee. Unless you reside in Colorado or Pennsylvania or applied on a Free Application Day, your application will not be considered until the fee is paid. Applicants in Colorado and Pennsylvania will pay the application fee upon program enrollment.
Complete a phone call with a NIMAA admissions representative.
Select applicants will participate in an externship interview.

If you successfully complete the four steps above, your application will be submitted for review by the Admissions Committee. From there, you will either receive one of the following via email:

Offer of admissions
Offer of placement on the admissions waitlist
Rejection

How do you choose who is admitted?

Selection for the program is based on the NIMAA Admissions Committee’s review of all aspects of your application, including the following:

Writing samples demonstrating a desire to pursue a career as a medical assistant
An interview with a member of the NIMAA Admissions team
An in-person interview with an official NIMAA externship organization partner
A background check (see background check criteria here)

What happens if I'm accepted?

If you receive an offer of admissions to NIMAA, congratulations! The next step is to complete the enrollment process. You will be required to do the following:

Formally accept your offer of admissions
Complete your onboarding paperwork
- Provide proof of required immunizations
- Provide proof of your high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
- Provide ID showing your date of birth and residency in your state
- Complete the background check initiated by NIMAA and successfully pass that background check (see background check requirements here)
Review the published payment schedule
Read the NIMAA Catalog and sign the Catalog Acknowledgement
Sign your Enrollment Agreement (not available until onboarding paperwork is complete)

What happens if I am placed on the waitlist?

For applicants who are placed on the NIMAA waitlist:

Complete your Waitlist Confirmation form
NIMAA will remain in contact with you regarding your status on a regular basis prior to program start
If NIMAA is unable to offer admissions in the cohort you applied to, you will have the option to participate in a rollover admissions process for the following cohort. Please note this is not a guarantee that you will be admitted into the next cohort.

What is the difference between early and regular admissions?