MD Frequently Asked Questions

MD Program Only FAFSA E00197 or Private Loans 001444-03

An FSA ID is a username and password that you must use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites. Your FSA ID identifies you as someone who has the right to access your own personal information on ED websites such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). With an FSA ID you may perform the following tasks: electronically sign the FAFSA on the Web, Renewal FAFSA on the Web, or make FAFSA Corrections on the Web; view the status and results of a processed FAFSA application on the FAFSA website; electronically sign your Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note(s); access your Federal Student Financial Assistance Information.

Students interested in institutional need-based aid should complete all required applications materials by the priority deadlines: April 2, 2024, for incoming students and May 1, 2024, for returning students. Students interested in obtaining federal student aid must apply no later then April 15, 2025. However, we recommend applying at least a month prior to the start of the semester.

The term Financial Aid is an overall term. It includes federal, private, and institutional loans, as well as institutional need-based grants and scholarships. At the GW MD Program, students may apply for all types of financial aid, though scholarships through the Office of Admissions and some endowed awards do not require additional application.

Students must be registered for classes, maintain academic satisfactory progress in a degree-granting program, and be either a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen to qualify for financial aid. The student has not defaulted on a Federal loan and does not owe a refund on any federal or state grant program. The student has a valid social security number. Canadian students may receive a small loan in their fourth-year to help cover the costs of residency interviews.

Office of Financial Aid, GW SMHS, Ross Hall Room 106, 2300 I St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20037.

Email: medfinan@gwu.edu

Phone: 202.994.2960 (press 1)

No. Every student needs to reapply for aid every Academic Year. Please review the Application Procedures

A grant is a gift and may be referred to as a scholarship on your eBill. It does not have to be repaid. A scholarship is an achievement award which is usually based on academic grades, abilities, skills, class rank, etc. and sometimes need. Loans are funds borrowed by the student. Loans must be repaid with an interest charge and have a time limit for repayment.

The packaging formula is a technique used to identfy and assess the components of an applicant's total family resources in order to determine, and then help meet, the cacluated need.

Merit scholarships for incoming students are awarded by the MD Program Office of Admissions. Questions about merit scholarships should be directed to the Office of Admissions at medadmit@gwu.edu. 

The Office of Financial Aid will review any outside aid a student receives to determine if the total amount of aid received exceeds the maximum assigned financial aid cost of attendance (budget). If this occurs, the MD Office of Financial Aid is required to return the over-award amount to the highest interest bearing loan first, if applicable. If you are receiving aid from a source such as the HPSP or NHSC, you will need to set up the payment information with the 3rd Party Billing Office, through Student Accounts (thirdparty@gwu.edu).

Yes, for eligible students the full cost of attendance can be covered with a combination of the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. Medical Students who are eligible to participate in federal student loan programs are eligible for a lifetime limit of $224,000 in Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan funds. First year students are eligible for an annual Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan amount of $40,500, which increases by $2,222 for each month of enrollment after 9 months (MS2 is 11 months and the eligibility is $44,944, MS3 is 12 months and $47,167, and MS4 is 11 months and $44,944). Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loans are offered up to the maximum cost of attendance each year, minus any other aid sources. The  Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan is contingent upon requirements set by the Department of Education and requires a credit check.

If you are applying for the GW MD Program Need-Based Aid, then yes. We require natural/adoptive parental information from everyone applying for institutional need-based aid regardless of your age or dependency status. If you are only applying for loans, then you do not need to provide parental information. Additionally, if you are married, you will also need to provide your spouse’s information.

You may submit a Type 2 Appeal to have your need based aid calcuation reevaluated based on a reduction, in you or your parents financial circumstances, form the reported base year. 

You should accept your Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan (formerly known as the Stafford Loan) prior to accepting the higher interest rate Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. Please remember if you accept any amount of Medical School Financial Aid Grant, you must borrow at least $20,500 of the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. If offered, you may also accept the Medical School Consolidated Loan. For more information about offered loans, please click here.