Financial Aid Office
Harvard Medical School
211 Gordon Hall
25 Shattuck Street
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 432-0449
(617) 432-4308 FAX
financial_aid@hms. harvard.edu

Common Questions About Financial Aid

Why was I offered scholarship by another medical school but not by HMS?

Schools may have different financial aid packaging policies according to the school's own resources and its applicant pool. You may have had a level of need which was scholarship-eligible at another school but not high enough to receive scholarship at HMS. It’s also possible that the other school made a special recruitment incentive offer, which HMS does not provide.

How does HMS make financial aid decisions?

HMS awards its own scholarships and loans, and federal campus-based scholarships and loans according to a student's assessed financial need. That need is based on an analysis of the parents', the student's, and the student's spouse's (when applicable) financial disclosures subjected to the national needs analysis formula. Need is met with a financial aid package consisting of two basic components: the first portion is the "unit loan" (a package of loans); the second portion is scholarship grant, offered to those whose need exceeds the established unit loan level. Applicants whose forms are submitted late are offered a package of whatever funds are available.

How do I appeal the financial aid award decision?

If your family's circumstances have changed since filing your financial aid applications, or if you think an unusual aspect of your case did not receive full consideration, you should make an appointment with your Financial Aid Officer to discuss your case. The Officer will give you guidance on what kind of documentation you must provide to request your appeal. If your case warrants an adjustment which is permissible within established policies, an administrative adjustment may be made with available funds. If your request cannot be met without amending established policy, your case can be referred to the Financial Aid Committee. The Committee reviews the majority of appeal cases in May and October. If the Committee decides that an adjustment to your award is appropriate, it will be made using whatever funds are available at the time. The deadline for filing an appeal is May 1 and October 1, respectively.

Will I be able to borrow all the funds I need to pay for my education?

If you receive federal funds in any amount, your total aid cannot exceed your total need. However, if your total need included a calculated family contribution that is not forthcoming, you may be able to borrow up to your full budget (minus other aid) from the Unsubsidized Ford Federal Direct/Stafford Loan Program, the Direct PLUS Program or from a private loan program.

Will I be able to repay all these loans?

Successful repayment is based upon both ability and willingness. The debt management education program conducted by the Financial Aid Office promotes realistic budgeting and responsible borrowing. Through ongoing loan counseling, we attempt to help students determine how much debt is acceptable for them and to explore what strategies (e.g., repayment plan options, deferment, forbearance) they have for repaying. Alternatives to borrowing are always emphasized as the best debt management strategy.

How do I get payment on my undergraduate student loans deferred?

You must file a student loan deferment form with each "holder" of your student loans. A holder is the lender (e.g. your school or bank) or its designated servicer (e.g. SallieMae, ASA, etc.). You should obtain the form from the school, bank, or servicer. You must have your enrollment certified by the HMS Registrar and follow the mailing instructions which should accompany the form. You should keep a copy of the form, and follow up with the addressee to be sure your form was received and your deferment status activated.

What is the Federal Work-Study program and how do I qualify?

Work-Study is a federal student employment program which provides job opportunities in career-related positions for students who wish to earn funds to pay for school. The federal government subsidizes the wages of participating students so that the employer has to pay only 30% of the student's wages. A student's eligibility is based upon financial need. Students apply for work-study by first applying to HMS for financial aid and then subsequently submitting a Work-Study application. Participating students are responsible for finding their own jobs; information on available positions is available from the HMS Financial Aid Office. Your Financial Aid Officer can provide you with an estimate of your eligibility for Work-Study. A Work-Study award can be used to reduce your unit loan borrowing, or, upon request and when eligible, can replace a portion of the computed parent contribution. Ask for the Work-Study application materials in the Financial Aid Office for more information.