Basic Eligibility Requirements for Financial Aid Offers
Students at UConn Health can apply for the Federal Direct Loan Program, Institutional Aid, and Scholarships. As a first step to be considered for these programs, students must submit the annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid “FAFSA”, made available to the public on October 1 every year. To complete FAFSA, go to the Federal Student Aid website. Additionally, students are required to meet a satisfactory academic progress (SAP).
Federal Direct Loans (Unsubsidized and Professional/Graduate Plus)
The federal student loan program or Direct Loan is a loan program designed to help students at eligible institutions cover the cost of higher education. For the Direct Unsubsidized Loan and Professional/Graduate Plus there is no requirement to demonstrate financial need. The school will determine the amount students can borrow based on the institution’s cost of attendance (COA) and other financial aid the student may receive. Student will be responsible for paying the interest on the Direct Unsubsidized Loan and the Graduate/Professional Loan while in school. Nevertheless, student may choose to pay interest while enrolled in school and during grace periods.
The U.S. Congress is the entity in charge of establishing interest rates, which are published on October 1 every year. The current interest rate on Direct Unsubsidized Loan is 7.05% and the interest rate on the Graduate/Professional Plus Loan is 8.05%. In addition to an annual interest rate, students will also be charged an origination fee. That means that students will borrow the gross amount but school will receive a net amount. As of July 1, 2023, the current origination fee for unsubsidized loan is 1.057% and 4.228% for the Graduate/Professional Plus Loan.
*NEW* Interest rates for loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2024 and before July 1, 2025 are as follows:
Direct Unsubsidized Loan/Health Professions (HEAL) Loan:8.08%
Direct Graduate PLUS Loan: 9.08%
For further information, please visit studentaid.gov.
In order to be eligible for these loans, students must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be a U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen
- Be enrolled in school at least half-time
- Be enrolled in a program that leads to a degree or certificate awarded by the school
- Submit an Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note
Professional/Graduate Plus Loan
- Students applying for a graduate plus loan must complete and submit a credit application at studentaid.gov
- Depending on the credit history, students may be required to provide an endorser
Origination Fees
All direct federal and graduate PLUS loans have an origination fee deducted from the requested amount. To help account for this fee, please use this calculator to show you how much money you will receive based on an amount borrowed and how you much you need to request based upon a specific amount needed.
Federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Loans
The Federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) offers several low interest loan options, a fixed interest rate of 5% for medical and dental students. All loan options require an annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that includes parent financial and demographic information as well as a UConn Health Financial Aid HRSA Application. HRSA loan options for UConn Medical and Dental students are listed below:
Loans for Disadvantaged Students (LDS) – Available to eligible full time enrolled medical and dental students from disadvantaged backgrounds who demonstrate financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Health Professions Student Loans (HPSL) – Available to eligible full time enrolled dental students who demonstrate financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Federal Primary Care Loan (PCL) – Available to eligible full time enrolled medical students who demonstrate financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and who meet the following requirements:
- Agree to enter a residency training program in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, combined medicine and pediatrics or preventative medicine AND complete residency program within 4 years of graduation
- Agree to practice primary care for either ten (10) years or through the date on which the loan is repaid in full, whichever occurs first
Note: if you are not firmly committed to the practice of primary health care, you should not apply for the Federal Primary Care Loan. There are penalties for not meeting the service requirements as outlined by HRSA.