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Applying for Aid

If you're interested in applying for financial aid (e.g., college scholarships, federal student loans and college graduate need grants), complete the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Our FIU school code for the FAFSA application is: 009635

First-time applicants must create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID username and password. Your FSA ID allows you to access your personal information on U.S. Department of Education websites (e.g., FAFSA). The FSA ID has the same legal status as a written signature and is used to electronically sign legally binding documents.

You may also utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to complete your FAFSA application. We recommend using this tool for faster and more accurate financial aid processing. You do not need to include parental financial information in the FAFSA. Additional documents should only be submitted if requested.

Apply for FAFSA

Professional Judgment

A financial aid administrator may exercise professional judgment to assist students with extenuating circumstances that warrant a reevaluation of their eligibility for financial aid. These may include but are not limited to:

  • Divorce or separation of the student
  • Death of spouse
  • Extraordinary medical expenses paid by student, spouse or parent not covered by insurance
  • Dependent care costs: statement on provider letterhead detailing incurred/anticipated expenses. 50% of dependent care expenses allowed. 100% will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

For MD students only:

  • Residency interview expenses (please refer to the policy for further details).
  • Unforeseen transportation expenses for M3 and M4 students (car repair, etc.)

A request for professional judgment form must be completed and submitted along with all documents required for your extenuating circumstance.

To request a professional judgment, please email medfin@fiu.edu.

FIU Aid

FIU awards need-based grants and scholarships to Wertheim College of Medicine students. Funds are limited, and eligible students are encouraged to apply early.

Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Graduate Need Grant

This need‐based grant derives from the financial aid fee charged to each student enrolled at FIU. Students must complete the FAFSA application and demonstrate financial need. Students who receive a Graduate Need Grant do not have to repay. Graduate Need Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Scholarships

The Wertheim College of Medicine Scholarship program, supported by our generous benefactors, is key to our mission and critically important in providing deserving medical students with the necessary financial assistance to pursue their education.

AcademicWorks

Through AcademicWorks, graduate students can browse and apply for more than 100 scholarships made possible by the generosity of FIU alumni and friends. Details on submitting applications are below. Please note each application deadline and plan accordingly.

How to Apply for Scholarships

  1. Visit FIU Scholarships.
  2. Sign in using your MyFIU credentials.
  3. Complete the general and conditional application.
  4. Click Opportunities and select Ours from the dropdown menu. Apply to all appropriate opportunities.
  5. In addition, AcademicWorks will search our awards database and recommend scholarships for which the students may be eligible. Some students automatically enter into the applicant pool. Others may need to answer additional questions first.

The application period revolves around the academic year. The Scholarship Committee reviews and selects applications according to specific scholarship requirements. Students should review AcademicWorks opportunities for specific scholarship deadlines.

Outside Scholarships

The Office of Financial Assistance encourages students to seek additional funding sources. All awards, scholarships, assistantships and fellowships offered to students must be reported to Financial Assistance. Adjustments to the federal award package may be required.

Recommended Scholarship Websites

  • Fastweb allows students to complete personalized searches for scholarships. Users must create login credentials to access scholarship information.
  • FinAid enables students to search for scholarships and provides additional information on other sources of financial aid, such as loans.
  • Collegescholarships allows 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.
  • Uniformed Services Health Professions Scholarship Program

    The Uniformed Services Health Professions Scholarship Program (Air Force, Army, and Navy) awards scholarships on a competitive basis and provides financial assistance to medical students in exchange for active duty service in the Armed Forces. For every year of assistance, the Armed Forces require one year of active duty. The minimum service obligation is three 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

    The NHSC Scholarship Program applicants include health professional students studying to become physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives or physician assistants committed to practicing in underserved communities.

    In exchange, they commit to serve at least 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.

Loans and Grants

Most students need loans to pay for school. There are several public and private loans available to help cover the costs.

  • Federal Direct Loans

    Federal Stafford Loans are the most common type of education loan and financial aid for graduate-level students.

    Students apply for these loans by completing the FAFSA application. Federal loans are offered to students every term up to the cost of attendance in their program, minus any grants or scholarships.

    Federal Direct Loans are obtained through the government under Direct Lending and guaranteed by the government. All borrowers must complete an entrance counseling and master promissory note before the student receives the loan disbursement.

    All graduate-level Federal loans have a fixed interest rate. To monitor the current interest rates, visit Interest Rates and Fees for Federal Student Loans.

  • 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 this loan if they meet all required criteria, are not in default on a current loan and have not exceeded the federal aggregate loan limit.

    Interest payments on Unsubsidized Loans are not subsidized by the government. Students can arrange to pay interest on the loan while they are in school. They can also allow the interest to capitalize, adding to principal balances upon graduation or withdrawal. Borrowers are not required to repay loans during a six-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.

  • Direct PLUS Loan

    A Direct 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. Receiving a PLUS Loan requires a credit check.

    This loan offers the benefits of a federal loan program, such as deferment, forbearance, consolidation and death/disability cancellation. Students can arrange to pay interest on the loan while in school. They can also allow interest to capitalize, adding to principal balances upon graduation or withdrawal.

    The PLUS Loan can award 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 PLUS Loan.

    Eligibility may be limited by the cost of attendance, financial aid received and other factors. PLUS Loan requirements:

    What if my PLUS Loan is denied?

    Contact the Department of Education's Applicant Services at 1-800-557-7394. Always check credit reports for errors. If your application cannot be resolved, you may attempt to reapply with a cosigner.

    Please note PLUS Loan applicants who have been determined to have an adverse credit history but qualify for a PLUS Loan by documenting extenuating circumstances or obtaining an endorser.

    Applicants must complete a PLUS Loan credit counseling. This is separate from the standard entrance counseling.

  • Private Student Loans

    Private student loans are nonfederal educational loans available from various national lending institutions. These credit-based loans are approved based on the student's or cosigner's good credit history.

    Because private student loans are funded and administered by private lenders, they each have unique terms and conditions. Students are strongly encouraged to educate themselves on the advantages and disadvantages of borrowing private student loans.

    They 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.