Graduation Checklist for Master's Students
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation from Harvard Medical School!
The Financial Aid Office is looking forward to working with you to help you understand the terms of your loans and offer strategies for managing your loans as you transition from HMS.
Graduation Checklist
Every graduating student must complete the following checklist to fulfill the Financial Aid graduation requirement. Going through the checklist steps will equip you with the tools to navigate this financial transition.
Complete the following steps by May 15, 2025
STEP 1 - Online Loan Exit Counseling
For students who have borrowed Federal Direct Loans at HMS.
STEP 2 - Debt Review using the Federal Student Aid's Loan Simulator
A debt review where you calculate your estimated monthly payments by including all HMS and Pre-HMS educational loans.
STEP 3 - Loan Repayment Videos
Watch educational videos from the U.S. Department of Education that help you understand your debt.
STEP 4 - Your Student Bill
Make sure that your bill has been paid in full.
If you have individual questions after completing your the steps above, we welcome you to visit us for a virtual one-on-one appointment. Please email us with your availability at financial_aid@hms.harvard.edu.
Additional Resources
Loan Calculators
Loan Payment Calculator - Finaid.org can help you estimate the monthly payment on one or more of your loans (including private loans), and it will also show you how much you’ll pay off over time.
Cost of Interest Capitalization - Finaid.org can help you estimate the monthly payment on one or more of your loans (including private loans), and it will also show you how much you’ll pay off over time.
Loan Repayment Estimator - The federal student aid website allows you to load all of your federal student loans and estimate future monthly payments.
AAMC MedLoans Organizer and Calculator - This tool assists medical students and residents with managing educational debt.
Paycheck City Take Home Pay Calculator - This calculator can help you figure out what your net pay will be after taxes and other deductions are subtracted for your paycheck.
Budgeting Tools
Smart About Money - Look through this site for a number of useful worksheets and free courses related not just to finance but also to your personal well-being.
Balance - Balance is a free program available to all students through the Harvard University Employee Credit Union. In addition to online resources, the program also offers a free info line Monday-Saturday for budgeting and debt counseling.
Mint - Online money management.
Webinars and Videos
Harvard Federal Credit Union (Harvard FCU) - watch webinars and videos on financial wellness topics such as home buying, debt repayment, credit, budgeting, and student loans.