Types of Aid

Federal Aid

Federal Direct Loans

Federal Stafford Loans are the most common type of education loan. Students apply for these loans by completing the FAFSA. Federal Direct Loans are obtained through the government under Direct Lending and are guaranteed by the Federal government. All borrowers must complete an entrance counseling and master promissory note before the loan disbursement can be received by the student.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Students are not required to demonstrate financial need to receive Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and do not need to complete a credit check for eligibility. Every student is eligible for receipt of this loan if he or she meets all required criteria, is not in default on a current loan, and has not exceeded the federal aggregate loan limit.

Interest payments on Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are not subsidized by the government. Students can arrange to pay interest on the loan while they are in school; students also have the option of allowing the interest to capitalize, adding to principal balances upon graduation or withdrawal. The current interest rate for 2022-2023 is 6.54 percent fixed, with a loan origination fee of 1.057 percent upon disbursement. Borrowers are not required to make loan repayments during a 6-month grace period after graduating or withdrawing.

MD students are subject to a lifetime borrowing limit of $224,000, for all Federal Direct Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized) received for undergraduate and graduate education.

MPAS students are subject to a lifetime borrowing limit of $138,500, for all Federal Direct Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized) received for undergraduate and graduate education.

Federal Graduate PLUS Loan

The GRAD PLUS Loan is a federal loan offered to graduate students who require additional funding. Students are not required to demonstrate the financial need to receive this loan. A credit check is required for receipt of this loan.

This loan offers the benefits of a federal loan program, such as deferment, forbearance, consolidation, and death and disability cancellation. Students can arrange to pay interest on the loan while they are in school; students also have the option of allowing interest to capitalize, adding to principal balances upon graduation or withdrawal. The current interest rate for 2022–2023 is 7.54 percent fixed, with a loan origination fee of 4.228 percent upon disbursement.

The Grad PLUS Loan may be awarded up to the annual maximum equal to the cost of attendance minus other aid received. Students must apply for annual loan maximum eligibility under the Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program before applying for a Grad PLUS loan; eligibility may be limited by the cost of attendance, financial aid received, and other factors.

What if the Graduate PLUS loan is denied?

Please contact the Department of Education's Applicant Services at 1-800-557-7394. Always check credit reports for errors. If there are problems that cannot be resolved, you may attempt to reapply with a cosigner.

*Note: Beginning March 29, 2015, Direct PLUS loan applicants who have been determined to have an adverse credit history, but who qualify for a Direct PLUS loan by documenting extenuating circumstances or by obtaining an endorser. MUST complete a separate PLUS Loan Counseling. This is separate from the Entrance Counseling. The special PLUS Loan Counseling can be found at the Federal Student Aid website.

Private Student Loans

Private student loans are nonfederal educational loans available from a variety of national lending institutions. These credit-based loans are approved based on the good credit history of the student and/or cosigner. Because private student loans are funded and administered by private lenders, they each have their own unique terms and conditions. HWCOM students are strongly encouraged to educate themselves on the advantages and disadvantages of borrowing private student loans and should compare specific features of loan types, including terms, interest rates, origination fees, and conditions. Students can utilize the FinAid website to research reputable private loan lenders.

FIU Aid

HWCOM Graduate Need Grant

This need‐based grant is derived from the financial aid fee charged to each student enrolled at FIU. Students must complete the FAFSA form and demonstrate financial need. The grant funds do not have to be repaid. This is a first come, first served grant. Funds are very limited, eligible students are encouraged to apply early.

HWCOM Scholarships

The Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine was built on the need for the next generation of physicians to be socially conscious, community-based, and expertly trained. We are working boldly to create not just great physicians, but also community leaders who think holistically, globally, and locally. The College’s Scholarship Program is critically important to provide deserving medical students with the necessary financial assistance to enable their 21st-century medical education. Building a strong, supportive scholarship program in partnership with generous philanthropic benefactors will make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students, allowing them to excel and transform the future of health care. The scholarship program will strive to advance our Next Horizon vision and secure the future success of the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.

AcademicWorks

Through AcademicWorks, FIU students can browse and apply for more than 100 scholarships made possible by the generosity of FIU alumni and friends.

All graduate students can find scholarship opportunities available through AcademicWorks. Details on submitting applications are below. Please note each application deadline and plan according

How to Apply for Scholarships

  1. Go to FIU Scholarships website.
  2. Sign in with your MyAccounts username and password.
  3. Complete the general and conditional application as you’re prompted.
  4. Select the Opportunities tab and select Ours. Apply to all appropriate opportunities.
  5. In addition, AcademicWorks will search our database of awards and recommend scholarships for which the students may be eligible. Some students will be automatically entered into the applicant pool; others may need to answer additional questions first.

The application period revolves throughout the academic year.

Applications will be reviewed, and selection made by the HWCOM Scholarship Committee in accordance with specific scholarship requirements. Students should review AcademicWorks opportunities for specific scholarship deadlines.

Outside Scholarships

The HWCOM Office of Financial Assistance encourages students to seek additional sources of funding. All awards and scholarships offered to students (including outside scholarships, research assistantships or fellowships, and teaching assistantships or fellowships) must be reported to the Office of Financial Assistance. Adjustments to the federal award package may be required.

Other Scholarship Search Websites

  • Fastweb allows students to complete personalized searches for scholarships. Users must create login credentials to access scholarship information.
  • FinAid allows students to search for scholarships and provides additional information on other sources of financial aid, such as loans.
  • Collegescholarships allow students to search for scholarships by subject, degree level, location, and minority status or student type. Users do not need to create login credentials to access information.
  • Online PA Degrees lists scholarships for physician assistant students statewide and nationally. 

Additional Scholarships

Uniformed Services Health Professions Scholarship Program

The Uniformed Services Health Professions Scholarship Program (Air Force, Army, and Navyawards scholarships on a competitive basis and provides financial assistance to medical students in exchange for active duty service in the Armed Forces. For each year of participation, the Armed Forces require 1 year of active duty; the minimum service obligation is 3 years. The scholarship pays for tuition and fees, a taxable monthly stipend, and 45 days of active duty pay and allowances, and covers expenses including books and instruments. Scholarships are competitive, and each service has its own selection board.

National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program (NHSC SP)

The NHSC Scholarship Program applicants include health professional students studying to become physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives or physician assistants with a commitment to practice in underserved communities. In exchange, they commit to serve a minimum of two years in high-need, underserved communities. Scholars receive one year of financial support (up to four years) for each year of service at an NHSC-approved site.