Policies & Disclosures

• Harvard Medical School Financial Aid Office contact information
• Harvard Medical School financial aid information
• Harvard Medical School statement of ethical responsibility
• Information on need-based federal and institutional financial aid programs
• Criteria for selecting aid recipients and determining amount of award
• Student Loans
  • Harvard University Student Loan Code of Conduct
  • Entrance Counseling
  • Exit Counseling
  • Terms and Conditions for Federal Student Loan Borrowers
  • Student Loan Deferment Conditions
• Satisfactory Academic Progress standards for Federal Aid recipients
• Cost of Attendance
• Return of Federal/Title IV Funding
• Withdrawal Refund Policy
• Constitution Day
• University Ombuds Office
• Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
• Federal Student Aid Ombudsman Group

• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)
• Student Activities Offered
• Student with Disabilities Services
• Career and Job Placement Services
• Transfer Credit Policy
• Academic Programs at Harvard Medical School
• Improving Academic Programs
• List of Faculty and Other Instructional Personnel
• Institutional Accreditation
• Graduation Rate Information
• Student Body Diversity

• Campus Facilities
• Facilities for Students with Disabilities
• Campus Security Statistics and Policies - CLERY ACT
• Annual Security Report
• Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse  - HMS Policy Statement
• HMS Missing Persons Policy
• Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedures
• Fire Safety Report
• Harvard Vaccination Policy
• Information Security Policy
• Copyright Infringement Policies
• Digital Millennium Copyright Act
• Harvard University Privacy Policy
• EEA Privacy Disclosures

Nondiscrimination
Enrollment Status
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Citizenship Status and the Federal Financial Aid Programs
International and Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA)-Eligible Students
Resources for International Students
Combined Degree Candidates
 

Nondiscrimination

Harvard Medical School does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or physical handicap when administering financial assistance to students. In evaluating applicants for admission, the Committee on Admission selects candidates without regard to the candidate’s ability to pay for medical school.

Enrollment Status

In order to receive funds from federal loan programs, a student must be enrolled at least half time. Virtually all HMS MD students are registered as full-time degree candidates. Should a student’s enrollment drop to less than full time (a rare occurrence in the MD program), the student must notify the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible so that any necessary revisions can be made to the financial aid award. Federal regulations mandate that when changes to enrollment status necessitate adjustments to federal loans, the adjustments must be made within forty-five days of the date of the status change. It is essential that whenever possible the Financial Aid Office be notified of enrollment status changes before they go into effect.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal regulations require that federal aid recipients make satisfactory progress in their degree programs. The conditions for satisfactory progress to the MD degree are detailed in Section 2.19 of the HMS MD Student Handbook. If at any time a student feels that their financial aid may be in jeopardy because of this requirement, they are urged to seek the advice of a Financial Aid Officer before aid has to be withdrawn. The financial aid staff will work to identify a substitute financial arrangement whenever possible. Once the student resumes making satisfactory academic progress, they are again eligible for federal financial aid.

Citizenship Status and the Federal Financial Aid Programs

A student’s citizenship status must fall into one of the following categories to receive federal student aid from the US government:

• US Citizen
• US National (includes natives of American Samoa or Swain’s Island)
• US permanent resident who has an I-151, I-551, or I-551C (Alien Registration Card)
• Foreign national holding an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the US Immigration and Naturalization Service showing one of the following designations:
  • Refugee
  • Asylum Granted
  • Indefinite Parolee
  • Humanitarian Parolee
  • Cuban-Haitian Entrant (valid only if issued before April 1, 1980)
• Other eligible non-citizen with a Temporary Resident Card (I-688)
• Foreign national with a suspension of deportation case pending before Congress

If an applicant has only a Notice of Approval to Apply for Permanent Residence (I-171 or I-464A), s/he is not eligible for federal student aid.

International and Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA)-Eligible Students

Since federal financial aid programs require that the recipient be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, the programs used to fund international or DACA-eligible MD student financial aid awards come from private and institutional sources. International and DACA-eligible MD students fill out the standard financial aid application materials and receive financial aid award determinations in a similar manner as US citizens and permanent residents. International and DACA-eligible MD students who qualify for need-based institutional funding are first offered a standard loan package which consists of a combination of loans from institutional and/or private sources. A variety of private loan options are available to MD students regardless of financial need with options to borrow with or without a US co-signer. To learn more about the Harvard Private Loan options, visit Find a Private Loan. Students inquiring about these programs should contact the Financial Aid Office for additional information.

In order to receive the necessary visa documents to study in the US, international students must demonstrate that they have the resources necessary to meet the expenses outlined in the student expense budget. Financial aid awards may be included as resources for this purpose.

Resources for International Students

Our external funding resources guide provides a free searchable database of scholarships and awards as well as a number of other resources of relevance to international students.

Canadian students are especially encouraged to apply to their provincial governments for assistance.

Combined Degree Candidates

MD/MBA Candidates

Students in the combined MD/MBA program apply through the HMS Financial Aid Office for financial aid funding during years one, two, three and five of the program. In year four, students apply through the HBS Financial Aid Office for financial aid.

MD/MMSc Candidates

Students in the combined MD/MMSc program are considered financial aid clients of Harvard Medical School throughout the duration of the program regardless of course enrollment patterns; they follow the same financial aid application guidelines as HMS Master’s program students.

MD/MPH Candidates

Students in the combined MD/MPH program apply through the HMS Financial Aid Office for financial aid funding during years one, two, three and five of the program. In year four, students apply to both the HMS Financial Aid Office and the HSPH Financial Aid Office for financial aid. Institutional scholarship eligibility in year four is based upon HMS financial aid policy guidelines; however, awarding will be processed through the HSPH Financial Aid Office.

MD/MPP Candidates

Students in the combined MD/MPP program apply through the HMS Financial Aid Office for financial aid funding during years one, two, three and five of the program. In year four, students apply through the HKS Financial Aid Office for financial aid.

MD/PhD Candidates

Most students in the combined MD/PhD program receive full funding administered through the MD/PhD Office at Harvard Medical School and are ineligible for additional HMS aid during the years in which the student is enrolled in the MD portion of the program. Students who determine that they have a shortfall between their MD/PhD funding and the standard budget may apply through the HMS Financial Aid Office for student loans to meet this gap. Funds from the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Program are generally used for this purpose.

MD/PhD students who do not receive funding from the MD/PhD Program follow the regular application process outlined in this guide. Each academic year, the school that charges the student tuition is considered the school of primary enrollment and is responsible for providing financial aid services to the student. Therefore, during periods when the student is enrolled at MIT or Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, s/he must apply for financial aid through that particular school's Financial Aid Office.

Other Combined Degree Candidates

Students interested in combined degree programs other than those listed must apply to their non-MD school or program for financial aid to cover any non-MD periods of enrollment. While combined degree students are simultaneously enrolled at both schools, each year the school of primary enrollment levies the tuition charge and provides financial aid services and funding according to its own policies and practices.

It is the student’s responsibility to investigate early the financial aid deadlines, requirements, and practices of the non-MD school. Some schools operate on a rolling basis for awarding funds; at such schools, it is possible to meet the school’s admissions application deadline but to be denied financial support because all available funds have been distributed. Students interested in combined degree programs are urged to make their academic plans early, and no later than the January before the anticipated start date at the non-MD program.

HMS expects every student to contribute toward educational and living expenses. A review of the student’s income and assets will determine an appropriate student contribution assessment.

Students participating in the Summer Federal Work-Study Program should note that a portion of the work-study award (after adjusting for taxes and living expenses) is required to be used to fund a portion of the calculated student contribution. This portion will be determined at the end of the summer once final summer earnings are known. Federal regulations prohibit students from borrowing additional student loans to fund the Summer Work-Study component of the calculated student contribution.

If the student/spouse has accumulated assets, s/he is expected to contribute a portion of these assets towards educational expenses. The need analysis formula assesses 25-35% of the total net value of student/spouse assets as part of the calculated student contribution each year.

Contribution

Harvard Medical School requires parent financial resource information from all applicants who are applying for institutional funding regardless of age, dependency, marital status, tax status, income level or prior history of financial independence.

In extreme cases, e.g. when the whereabouts of a parent is unknown, the Committee requires that the situation be documented by a third-party professional such as clergy, attorney, social worker, family physician or other professional with personal knowledge of the family. Please refer to the Petition for Waiver of Non-custodial Parent Financial Information for more details.

Students who anticipate that parents will not provide the full expected parent contribution must plan in advance how they will finance an education at HMS without this support. Institutional funds are not available to replace an absent expected parent contribution.

Parental contribution will be calculated using standard institutional need analysis policy. This calculated contribution may be adjusted under several scenarios. For more information, see Parent Contribution Adjustments.

Adjustments

Parental contribution will be calculated using standard institutional need analysis policy. This calculated contribution may be adjusted under several scenarios:

1. HMS’ Middle Income Financial Aid Initiative
2. Student Age Policy
3. Sibling(s) Enrollment in Postsecondary Education
4. Self-Supporting Status
5. Non-Custodial Parents
6. Replacing a Missing Parent Contribution

1. HMS’ Middle Income Financial Aid Initiative

HMS remains committed to taking steps to reduce the cost of a four-year medical education. The Middle Income Initiative adjusts the parental contribution expected for HMS families with the greatest financial need.

Incoming Class Fall 2024

Harvard Medical School waives the parental contribution (PC) for students whose total parental income earned in the U.S. or Canada (including untaxed income) is $150,000 or less and whose assets are typical for those income levels. For students whose total parental income earned in the U.S. or Canada (including untaxed income) is between $150,000 - $200,000 and whose assets are typical for those income levels, Harvard Medical School reduces the expected parent contribution as noted below.

Total Income Under $150k: PC waived
Total Income $150K - $175K: PC reduced 40%
Total Income $175K - $200K: PC reduced 20%

Continuing Students

Harvard Medical School waives the parental contribution (PC) for students whose total parental income earned in the U.S. or Canada (including untaxed income) is $100,000 or less and whose assets are typical for those income levels. For students whose total parental income earned in the U.S. or Canada (including untaxed income) is between $100,000 - $150,000 and whose assets are typical for those income levels, Harvard Medical School reduces the expected parent contribution as noted below.

Total Income Under $100k: PC waived
Total Income $100K - $110K: PC reduced 90%
Total Income $110K - $120K: PC reduced 80%
Total Income $120K - $130K: PC reduced 55%
Total Income $130K - $140K: PC reduced 40%
Total Income $140K - $150K: PC reduced 25%

2. Student Age Policy

For students who are below age 29 as of October 1, 2025, the full calculated parental contribution will be used in determining eligibility for need-based funds:

• For students who are age 29 as of October 1, 2025, the calculated parent contribution will be reduced by 25%.
• For students who are age 30 as of October 1, 2025, the calculated parent contribution will be reduced by 40%.
• For students who are age 31 as of October 1, 2025, the calculated parent contribution will be reduced by 60%.
• For students who are age 32 and above as of October 1, 2025, the calculated parent contribution will be reduced by 80%.

3. Sibling(s) Enrollment in Postsecondary Education

The calculated parent contribution can be affected by several variables. The most notable of these is the number of siblings enrolled simultaneously at a post-secondary educational institution. The HMS need analysis formula assumes that parental resources are divided among all of these siblings. Since HMS assesses a parent contribution once and uses that amount for all four years, it is important to report a sibling’s current and future enrollment as accurately as possible. If a sibling’s enrollment changes from what was originally reported, we ask that you contact us and provide the updated and accurate information. If this occurs, please be prepared for a substantial change in the expected parent contribution. This will result in a corresponding change in the amount of financial aid awarded and one's eligibility for scholarship assistance.

Students who indicate on the financial aid application that one or more siblings will be enrolled in a Degree Program at least half-time in a postsecondary educational institution during the same academic year may be required to complete a Sibling Enrollment Form for each sibling enrolled. The form is to be completed and signed by the Registrar of the sibling’s institution only after the sibling has matriculated for the academic year. If this form is required, failure to submit documentation of enrollment may result in a cancellation or reduction in the financial aid award.

4. Self-Supporting Status

Harvard Medical School requires parental information when considering eligibility for institutional need-based scholarships and loans. Failure to provide parental information means that the student is forfeiting his/her candidacy for Harvard Medical School scholarships and loan programs.

If a student feels that his/her particular circumstances warrant a reconsideration of the required level of parent contribution, s/he may submit a petition to the Financial Aid Committee through the financial aid appeal process. Waivers of this requirement for parent information are very rare.

Because the eligibility criteria for many federal and private financial aid programs do not take parent information into account for graduate and professional students, students can be considered for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, the Federal Work-Study Program and private supplemental loan programs without submitting parent information (see Option II). For federal programs, with limited funding allocations such as the Federal Work-Study Program, it is important to realize that being considered for programs does not guarantee receipt of funds.

5. Non-Custodial Parents

In order to be considered for Harvard scholarships and loans, the student’s custodial parent must complete the parent sections of the CSS Profile Application. The non-custodial parent must file the Non-Custodial Profile Application. Each biological parent must also submit tax returns to the Financial Aid Office.

In cases where the whereabouts of a parent is unknown, there has been extremely limited or no contact with a noncustodial parent for a significant period of time, or there are legal orders that limit the non-custodial parent’s contact with the student, the Financial Aid Committee may waive the requirement for that parent’s financial disclosure provided that the family's situation is adequately documented. Students requesting this waiver must complete the Petition for the Waiver of Non-Custodial Parent Information. A letter from a third-party professional (ex. attorney, clergy, social worker, or family physician) who has personal first-hand knowledge of the family's situation and history is also required.

Unwillingness of a noncustodial parent to contribute financially is not a sufficient reason to file this petition. In the event that a biological parent is deceased, his/her whereabouts are unknown and/or the petition to waive the non-custodial parent information has been approved, the surviving parent’s spouse, if any, is required to provide financial data as the second parent. If the surviving parent is not remarried, then only one parent’s financial information will be considered.

6. Replacing a Missing Parent Contribution

Students who anticipate that their parents will not provide the full expected parent contribution must plan in advance how they will finance Harvard Medical School without this assistance. Harvard Medical School policy does not ordinarily provide for replacing a missing calculated parental contribution with institutional aid; exceptions to this policy are considered by the Financial Aid Committee through the appeal process and are very rare.

Students may request to replace a missing family contribution with additional unsubsidized student loans (Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan and/or private supplemental loans). In addition, students also have the option of using outside scholarships or Federal Work-Study earnings to meet this gap.

The spouse of a married student is expected to contribute to the support of the student as well as to contribute to his/her own support and that of any children. The need analysis formula used for calculating the student/spouse contribution makes allowances for the household expenses when determining the portion of the couple’s resources available for educational expenses.

If the available resources are insufficient to support the spouse and children, it may be possible to use unsubsidized student loan programs, Federal Work-Study earnings, and/or outside scholarship to help meet family expenses. A student in this situation should speak with his/her Financial Aid Officer for more information. Harvard Medical School scholarship and loans are not available to meet costs attributable to persons other than the student.

Note: Option I applicants who are married or planning to become married by August 2025 will need to complete the Fiancé/Spouse Financial Resources Application.

MD Students do not qualify for HMS need-based scholarship assistance beyond their fourth year.

The student term bill lists itemized charges and credits throughout the academic year. If the total amount of loan proceeds, scholarships, and payments exceeds the total charges on the term bill, the student may request a refund of the credit balance and use this refund to meet non-billed educational expenses such as books, supplies, non-Harvard housing, and food.

Students who expect to have a credit balance once all anticipated aid is disbursed may apply for a cash advance against the future credit. Aid recipients may receive up to one advance per month, not to exceed the monthly living expense allowance included in the student budget.

All refund requests ordinarily are processed by the Financial Aid Office staff within five business days. Checks are issued by the Student Billing Office and are direct-deposited to the student’s bank account or mailed to the address that the student indicates on the request form.

Students should plan carefully to avoid falling short of funds during the academic year. Financial aid funds are expected to last until the end of the academic year. The student expense budget cannot be increased for students who find themselves out of money due to improper budgeting.

Refund/Cash Advance Form

Students should complete a Refund/Cash Advance Request Form to obtain money for living expenses.

First year students may request a refund for their fall living expenses in September. Students will need to place a separate refund request in January for their spring living expenses. First year students have the option of requesting a cash advance in August upon matriculation of up to $2,000 (if living on-campus) or $3,000 (if living off-campus) to cover expenses incurred during the first month of school.

Third, fourth and fifth year students may request a cash advance of up to $6,000 in June to cover their July and August living expenses. Students will receive their full refund in September to cover their fall term living expenses. Students will need to place a separate refund request in December for their spring living expenses.

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