Federal Student Aid

Summary of Student Eligibility Requirements for Federal Student Aid

• Enrolled/accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible program.  

• U.S. citizen or national, or eligible noncitizen.  

• Making satisfactory academic progress.  

• If required, register with Selective Service (certification required).  

• Not in default on a Title IV loan (certification required).  

• Not owe a repayment on a Title IV grant.  

• Sign Statement of Educational Purpose agreeing to use funds only for expenses related to study at the institution.  

• Not have borrowed in excess of annual or aggregate loan limits on a Title IV loan.  

• Not have had federal benefits suspended or terminated as a result of a drug conviction.  

• Meet financial need, as applicable, and other program-specific eligibility requirements.  

For a complete listing of eligibility requirements, refer to the U.S. Department of Education's publication The Student Guide at www.ed.gov/studentaid

Federal Scholarships

     Scholarships are available through the Armed Forces Health Service to U.S. citizens. Selection is competitive. If interested, write for information from any of the following:

Army:
U.S. Army Medical Department
3125 Poplarwood Ct., Suite 203
Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
(919) 872-3357

Air Force:
1 Charlottetown Center
Charlotte, North Carolina 28204-3053
(704) 377-1812

Navy:
U.S. Navy Recruiting and Processing Center
Eastway Crossing Shopping Center
1300 Baxter Street, Suite 151
Charlotte, North Carolina 28204
(800) 521-5177

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program provide scholarships up to four years which pay tuition and fees; payment toward books, supplies and equipment; and 12 monthly stipend payments.  Preference is given to applicants with a goal of practicing primary care (family medicine, general pediatrics, general internal medicine, obstetrics-gynecology, and general psychiatry).  Recipients incur one year of obligated service for each year of support.  The minimum service obligation is two years. Participants will practice primary health care in federally designated, high-priority health professions shortage areas as assigned by the NHSC.  
Application Deadline: Late March  
Applications available from the Financial Aid Office or Contact:
NHSC Scholarship Program
4530 East West Hwy, 10th Floor
Bethesda, MD 22102-9975
(800) 638-0824
www.bphc.hrsa.dhhs.gov/nhsc      

Indian Health Service Scholarship Program: Similar to NHSC except the commitment is fulfilled at an Indian Health Service site.   

Federal Student Loans

The federal government is the largest single source of financial aid for graduate students.  WFUSM students receive the majority of their financial assistance from federal student loan programs.  

Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan
     The Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan program is a federal student loan program, which allows eligible graduate and professional students to borrow up to $8,500 per academic year. Eligibility is determined by the results of the FAFSA. Interest rates for new loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2006 will have a fixed interest rate of 6.8%. The federal government pays the interest on the loan while the borrower is enrolled at least half time and during the six-month grace period. Aggregate total loan limit is $65,500.  

Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan
     The Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan program is a federal student loan program, which allows eligible medical students to borrow up to $38,500 (minus the subsidized loan amount). Eligible physician assistant students may borrow up to $18,500 (minus the subsidized Federal Stafford Loan). The federal government does not pay interest. The interest rate is the same as the Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan. Any interest that accrues during enrollment is capitalized at repayment. Aggregate loan limits are $189,125 minus approved subsidized loan amounts for medical students and $138,500 minus approved subsidized loan amounts for physician assistant students.

PLUS Loan for Graduate & Professional Students

Effective July 1, 2006, P.L. 109-171 expanded PLUS loan eligibility to include graduate and professional students.  Graduate and professional students my borrow up to the cost of attendance less other aid.