Types of Aid

Harvard Medical School Scholarships

Financial need is the only criterion used to determine the amount of HMS scholarship a student receives. This program is funded from endowed funds, current fundraising, and unrestricted income.

For a full-need student, the HMS scholarship funding covers both tuition and mandatory fees. Scholarship eligibility is determined by subtracting the institutional expected family contribution from tuition and mandatory fees. Eligibility for institutional scholarship funding is limited to eight semesters of full tuition charges.

HMS scholarship support is derived from many resources, most notably the result of donor gifts. Donations to financial aid are from individuals, foundations and organizations through the establishment of endowed funds, the giving to current use financial aid funds, or through annual gifts to the HMS Alumni Fund. These funds are monitored by the HMS Office of Resource Development. HMS scholarship recipients may be asked to write thank you notes to scholarship donors. Recipients of these funds may also be requested to provide information consisting of premedical background, residency preferences, personal and professional interests, and academic progress. Failure to comply with these requests may result in forfeiture of HMS scholarship support.

Dean’s REACH Scholarship Award Program

Given the considerable costs associated with obtaining a medical education, Harvard Medical School strives to ensure that all applicants accepted to our institution are able to afford to attend. The Dean’s REACH Scholarship is a need-based four-year scholarship that has been established to provide funding to a select group of incoming MD students who demonstrate Resilience, Excellence, Achievement, Compassion and commitment to Helping the underserved.

Potential recipients are nominated for this award by the Committee on Admissions and are notified of their nomination at the time admissions decisions are released in early March. The Dean’s REACH Scholarships are contingent upon financial need. In order to determine eligibility for this scholarship, nominees must apply for financial aid.

Continuation of this program is contingent upon the availability of funds.

General Restricted Scholarships

HMS shares certain endowed scholarship funds with other units of the University. The Harvard University Committee on General Scholarships administers these multi-school funds. The HMS Financial Aid Office will nominate eligible HMS Scholarship recipients for these funds on the basis of the information provided on the Restricted Fund Survey submitted in the fall of each year.

If an HMS scholarship recipient is selected to receive a general scholarship, the general scholarship funds ordinarily will be used to fund a portion of the student’s regular HMS scholarship award. Thus being selected for a general scholarship changes only the source of funds for the student’s scholarship award; the total amount awarded ordinarily remains unchanged.

Resident Tutor Policy

Students who serve as a Resident Tutor for Harvard College receive free housing and a free meal plan as part of their compensation for service. This in-kind compensation will be treated as a resource for financial aid purposes and will be reflected in a student’s financial aid package. Generally, the resident tutor resource will equal one-half of the annual HMS housing components of the cost of attendance budget.

In cases where the student has already been funded up to the total amount allowed in their current student budget, a dollar-for-dollar adjustment must be made to the aid package to prevent the student from being overfunded.

MD-PhD Funding

MD-PhD funding generally provides support that covers most, if not all of the expenses in the standard budget. Students receiving this funding generally do not apply for additional financial aid. Students who determine that they have a shortfall between their MD-PhD funding and the standard budget may apply for student loans to meet this gap. Funds from the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Program are generally used for this purpose.

Outside Scholarships Tips on Applying

Outside Scholarships

Impact of External Funding Contributions

External scholarships provide a way for students to subsidize their Harvard Medical School (HMS) education by helping to minimize educational loan debt. They can replace the calculated expected parent contribution or replace loans, beginning with the least favorable loan in the student’s financial aid award package. Institutional scholarship is the last source of funding to get replaced by outside awards.

HMS Resource Guides

Our resource guides provide information on many opportunities offered by outside organizations and agencies.

Online Resources

Scholarship search engines contain useful information and are also a great resource. Below are some examples of frequently used online search engines and websites.

Domestic Students

• Fastweb
• Finaid – The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid
• College Connection Scholarships

International Students

• Finaid - The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid
• International Student Loan Scholarship
• Mobility International USA: Financial Resources for Non-U.S. Residents
• eduPass
• IIE
• International Scholarship Search

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Tips on Applying

Helpful Hints: Applying for Scholarships

Who are you? When looking for external scholarships, you should look for the award funds that best describe you and your interests.

• Think individually, academically, locally and globally
• Consider multiple identities - female, veteran, religious affiliation, LGBTQIA+, fraternity, sorority, service memberships, athlete, differently abled or first generation college student
• Think geographically - where do I have or have had residency?
• Consider your research and academic interests

How much time do you have? You should decide how much time to put into your scholarship search because there is no guarantee that it will yield results.

Get organized. Create an Excel template. Know when scholarships are due.

Get connected.

• Google search
• Financial aid websites at other schools
• Contact your academic advisor or grant managers in your department
• Local library
• Let as many people know that you are looking as you can. Someone may be aware of an opportunity that is perfect for you.

Every little bit counts. Larger scholarships are more competitive. Consider applying for smaller scholarship awards. They tend to be less competitive and are also less likely to use strict cutoffs for grades and test scores.

Have your application ready to go.

• Always have your resume and transcripts ready.
• Spell check is never enough.
• Have your personal statement ready.
• Make it easy for others to help you. When you ask for letters of recommendation, always provide a resume, your most recent transcript and a brief statement of your career goals.

Show gratitude. Be certain to send a thank you note or email to the scholarship committee, as well as to your recommenders for taking the time to write a letter on your behalf.

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The Medical Student Emergency Aid Fund is designed to provide temporary, short-term financial assistance to students enrolled in the MD program who are struggling with unanticipated or emergency financial situations.

Unlike a loan, students are not expected to repay awards from the Medical Student Emergency Aid Fund. Please be aware that this fund is limited and not all requests will be met with financial assistance.

Harvard Medical School works to maintain privacy; however, information may be shared internally on a need-to-know basis.

Possible reasons to apply for the Medical Student Emergency Aid Fund:

• Support for temporary housing, and/or other essential needs such as food, due to displacement by fire, safety concerns, or other unforeseen event
• Travel costs associated with a personal or family emergency, crisis, or death
• Unforeseen medical expenses
• The repair of a damaged laptop up to $500

The list above is not exhaustive for all situations for which a student may seek financial assistance. However, the following situations are not eligible:

• Tuition, fees and living expenses as outlined in the HMS MD program Cost of Attendance
• Expenses related to conferences/professional development
• The purchase of a laptop
• Non-essential expenses (e.g. library fines, gym membership)

Food and/or Housing Insecurity

Students who feel they may be experiencing food and/or housing insecurity are encouraged to apply to this fund. Please be aware that funds are limited, but every effort will be made to work with students on identifying resources to support their needs.

For more information on how food insecurity is defined, visit the USDA website.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• be currently enrolled in the HMS MD program
• have demonstrated financial need
• show financial hardship due to emergency, illness, or other unforeseen event
• complete the application and provide supporting documentation
• meet with the Financial Aid Office/financial aid counselor to discuss the situation

Application

To apply for emergency funding, please send an email to financial_aid@hms.harvard.edu with the subject line “HMS Medical Student Emergency Fund Request.” You will be provided a link to HMS’s secure file transfer to upload supporting documentation for each additional cost you would like us to consider. Use the subject “Medical Student Emergency Aid Fund Request” and detail your request in the text section.

All efforts will be made to review requests in a timely fashion. Applicants will be contacted by the Financial Aid Office to set up an appointment. Please note that at this time, requests over $250 will require additional review. You will be contacted via email with a final decision on funding.

Approval Process

Each request is reviewed individually. A rubric will be utilized in the review process and the following factors will be considered:

• The specific and immediate impacts the emergency may be having on the student’s well-being and academic progress
• The nature and urgency of the emergency and the totality of the student’s hardships
• Other resources or support that the student may have available to them
• Other information provided by third parties at the student’s request, such as advocates or advisors, that may help to illuminate and clarify the student’s situation

Approval will be based on financial need. Every effort will be made to process these requests in a timely manner. Not every request will be met with financial support. Applicants may be asked to provide feedback on the impact of the fund. Please note that awards through this fund may be considered income and subject to federal tax regulations.

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HMSRL (Harvard Medical School Revolving Loan)

The Harvard Medical School Revolving Loan is funded by the income from several endowment funds and the repayments made to the fund by previous borrowers.

The HMSRL program does not require the borrower to fill out a loan application; the student need only sign and return the financial aid award letter (incoming students) or confirm acceptance of the award electronically (returning students) to begin the origination process. Master Promissory Notes for HMSRL loans will be made available for signing by August and September of the first year that a student borrows an HMSRL loan at HMS. Ordinarily, the loan funds will be credited directly to the borrower’s Harvard term bill account within a few days after loan signing; subsequent disbursements will automatically be credited at the start of each term.

Interest Rate

Harvard Medical School Subsidized Revolving Loans carry an interest rate of 5%. No interest is charged during in-school enrollment and the grace period.

Grace Period

All HMS Revolving Loans have a six-month grace period that begins once the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time.

Deferment

During periods of deferment, interest ceases to accrue on subsidized HMSRL loans and the repayment of principal is not required. All HMS Revolving Loans are eligible for deferment if the borrower is one of the following:

• A student enrolled at least half-time at an institution of higher education
• A graduate fellow under an approved fellowship program
• Enrolled in an approved rehabilitation training program (one-year maximum)
• A member of the U.S Armed Forces (three-year maximum)
• A volunteer under the Peace Corps or Domestic Service Act of 1973 (three-year maximum)
• An officer in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S Public Health Service (three-year maximum)
• Conscientiously seeking, but unable to find employment over a twelve-month period
• Temporarily totally disabled or has a spouse who is temporarily totally disabled (three-year maximum)

Forbearance

If a borrower is temporarily unable to meet the repayment schedule for the HMSRL and is not eligible for a deferment, s/he can request a forbearance for a limited and specific period. During periods of forbearance, repayment of principal is postponed or reduced, but interest continues to accrue on the loans. Forbearance is granted on an annual basis and the borrower must submit a request in writing to the Harvard University Student Loan Office.

All HMS Revolving Loans are eligible for forbearance during the following times:

• Periods of serious financial difficulty
• Up to 24 months of internship/residency training

HMS Wolfson Loan

The Wolfson Loan is another HMS institutional loan fund. The fund was established from the bequest of the late Dr. Louis Wolfson. A graduate of Tufts Medical School, Dr. Wolfson had an interest in helping medical students. In the two years before his death, Dr. Wolfson made generous contributions to the medical schools of Harvard, Boston University and Tufts for student loans. Thus, a substantial annual gift in perpetuity for student loans has been assured in Dr. Wolfson’s name.

The Wolfson program does not require the borrower to fill out a loan application; the student need only sign and return the financial aid award letter (incoming students) or confirm acceptance of the award electronically (returning students) to begin the origination process. Master Promissory Notes for Wolfson loans will be made available for signing by August and September of the first year that an MD student borrows a Wolfson loan at HMS. Ordinarily, the loan funds will be credited directly to the borrower’s Harvard term bill account within a few days after loan signing; subsequent disbursements will automatically be credited at the start of each term.

Interest Rate

Wolfson Loans carry an interest rate of 5%. Interest will not be charged during in-school enrollment and the grace period.

Grace Period

All Wolfson Loans have a six-month grace period that begins once the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time.

Deferment

During periods of deferment, interest ceases to accrue on the loan and repayment of principal is not required. All Wolfson Loans are eligible for deferment if the borrower meets one of the following requirements:

• A student enrolled at least half-time at an institution of higher education
• Engaged as an intern, resident or postgraduate fellow (54-month limit)

Forbearance

If a borrower is temporarily unable to meet the repayment schedule for the Wolfson Loan and is not eligible for a deferment, s/he can request a forbearance for a limited and specific period. During periods of forbearance, repayment of principal is postponed or reduced, but interest continues to accrue on the loans. Forbearance is granted on an annual basis and the borrower must submit a request in writing to the Harvard University Student Loan Office.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year, there will be significant changes to federal loan borrowing for students who are beginning enrollment in their current programs. Harvard has created a webpage that summarizes the key changes to federal student loans.

Federal aid programs are commonly administered by the Financial Aid Office. Federal aid comes from the US Department of Education Title IV Aid Programs.

Students eligible to apply must meet one of the following criteria:

• U.S. citizens
• U.S. permanent residents
• Citizens of Freely Associated States
• Refugees
• Persons granted asylum

International and DACA-eligible students are not eligible to receive funds from any federal aid programs below.

Federal Direct Loans

Federal Direct Loans are the most common source of educational loans in the United States. Students apply for these loans by completing the FAFSA form; no separate loan application is required.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

New Graduate Unsubsidized Direct Loan Limits (effective July 1, 2026)

Incoming students and continuing students who have not borrowed a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan at HMS can borrow up to $50,000 per year.

The maximum aggregate lifetime unsubsidized loan borrowing for MD students is $200,000.

The lifetime aggregate borrowing limit for federal programs (undergraduate, graduate, professional, Grad PLUS, Perkins) is $257,500.

Continuing Students

For continuing students who received a Federal Direct Loan in their current HMS program before July 1, 2026, the annual Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan limit is based on the number of months covered in the standard student budget. For students on 12-month budgets, the 2026-27 annual limit is $47,167. Students on 11-month budgets in 2026-27 are eligible for up to $44,944. Students on 10-month budgets in 2026-27 are eligible for up to $42,722. In any case, the student’s total aid (Direct Unsubsidized loans plus all other aid) can never exceed the standard student budget.

Students in the MD/MMSc or MD/SM combined degree programs are eligible to borrow up to $20,500 annually in the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Program during the MMSc or SM portion of the program.

The maximum aggregate Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan limit for MD students is $224,000, less any Direct Subsidized Loans borrowed.

Important note: Continuing MD students who have not borrowed a Federal Direct Loan will fall under the new graduate unsubsidized loan limits.

Origination Fees

The origination fee for loans disbursed prior to October 1, 2026 is 1.057%. This fee is automatically deducted from the loan prior to disbursement.

Interest Rates

The interest rate is set annually each academic year. The 2026-27 interest rate is 8.07%. For prior year rates, please visit Federal Student Aid.

The interest on a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan accrues from the day the loan is disbursed and is always the responsibility of the borrower. Students can choose to let this in-school interest accrue or pay it quarterly. In order to minimize the cost of borrowing, students are encouraged to pay the quarterly interest if at all possible. Unpaid accrued interest will be capitalized (i.e. added to the outstanding principal balance) at the end of the grace period, prior to the onset of repayment.

Master Promissory Notes for Federal Direct Loans will be made available for signing by August/September of the first year that a student borrows via HMS. Ordinarily, the loan funds will be credited directly to the borrower’s Harvard term bill account within a few days after loan signing; subsequent disbursements will automatically be credited at the start of each term.

Grace Period

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan has a six-month grace period that begins once the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time.

Deferment

Under certain conditions, the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan may be eligible for deferment benefits. During periods of deferment, the loan will accrue interest however payment is not required. Students may qualify for deferment if they meet one of the following conditions:

• Experiencing economic hardship
• In a graduate fellowship program
• Enrolled in school at least half-time
• Performing qualifying military service
• A post-active duty service member
• Enrolled in a rehabilitation training program
• Unemployed

Forbearance

During periods of forbearance, the loan will accrue interest however payment is not required. Federal Direct Loans are eligible for forbearance during the entire internship/residency period.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans

Due to the high borrowing limits allowed under the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan program, most HMS MD students will not need to borrow additionally from federal fixed rate loan programs or from private, market-rate loan programs. However, the Graduate PLUS loan is a Federal Direct Loan Program that is offered to eligible continuing MD students who have reached the annual or lifetime maximum Direct Unsubsidized and Subsidized loan limits. This loan program serves the function of a private loan with the benefits of a federal loan program, such as deferment, forbearance, consolidation, and death and disability cancellation. The Direct Graduate PLUS loan program offers a six-month post-enrollment deferment period that begins once the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time. In addition, options to postpone the repayment of a Direct Graduate PLUS loan during a residency program are available. Borrowers must pass a credit check, and as with other federal loan programs, will need to complete a master promissory note to receive the loan funds.

Important note: Due to recently passed federal legislation the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Program will be eliminated on July 1, 2026. Only students continuing in a current HMS program and have borrowed a Federal Direct Loan before July 1, 2026 will be able to borrow through this program for up to 3 more years or until program completion, whichever comes first. New students entering HMS for the 2026-2027 academic year will not be able to access this loan program.

Origination Fees

The origination fee for loans disbursed prior to October 1, 2026 is 4.228%. This fee is automatically deducted from the loan prior to disbursement.

Interest Rates

The interest rate is set annually each academic year. The 2026-27 interest rate is 9.07%. For prior year rates, please visit Federal Student Aid.

Post-Enrollment Deferment Period

Effective July 1, 2008, Graduate PLUS loans are eligible to receive a six-month post-enrollment deferment period that begins once the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time.

Grace Period, Deferment, and Forebearance: Same as Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan above

Debt Limits: Annual maximum equal to student budget less other aid received, no cumulative debt limit

Loans for Disadvantaged Students (LDS)

Congress authorized the LDS Program in 1990. To be considered for this program, students must be MD candidates and meet the federal definition of disadvantaged, either coming from a family whose income falls below specified benchmarks or demonstrating a background of economic, social, and/or educational disadvantage that hinders the pursuit of a medical education. Students who believe they qualify for this program should identify themselves by answering the appropriate questions on the online HMS financial aid application.

Ordinarily, awards are made by the Financial Aid Office following the start of the academic year after reviewing the entire pool of eligible candidates. Funding is very limited and not all eligible students can be assisted. The size of awards varies, and the assistance is used to replace portions of the student’s existing loan package. Students who think their background is particularly compelling are welcome to discuss their eligibility with their Financial Aid Officer.

The Loan for Disadvantaged Students (LDS) carries the following terms:

Interest Rate

All LDS loans carry an interest rate of 5%. No interest accrues during in-school enrollment, the grace period, or periods of deferment.

Grace Period

LDS loans have a twelve-month grace period that begins once the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time.

Deferment

During periods of deferment, interest ceases to accrue on the loans and the repayment of principal is not required. LDS Loans are eligible for deferment if the borrower is:

• In a program of advanced professional training, including internship, residency, and up to 2 years of fellowship
• Serving full-time as a member of a uniformed service (three-year maximum)
• A full-time volunteer under the Peace Corps Act (three-year maximum)
• Engaged in a full-time educational activity at a school that is eligible for participation in the LDS program

The LDS program does not require the borrower to fill out a loan application; the student need only confirm acceptance in writing (incoming students) or electronically (returning students) to begin the loan origination process. Master Promissory Notes for LDS loans will be made available for signing by August and September of the first year that a student borrows a LDS loan at HMS. The loan funds will be credited directly to the borrower’s Harvard term bill account within a few days after loan signing; subsequent disbursements will automatically be credited at the start of each term.

DISCLOSURE: US Department of Education Title IV Aid Programs

Harvard University participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program; the US Department of Education is the lender. Servicing of these loans currently is performed by one of several agencies. The Department of Education selects the servicing agency on behalf of a Direct Loan borrower.

The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the US Department of Education’s central database for federal student aid. It receives data from schools and agencies that guaranty loans, from the Federal Direct Loan Program, and from other U.S. Department of Education programs. NSLDS provides a centralized, integrated view of Title IV loans and grants that are tracked through the entire financial aid cycle; from approval through closure. In order to use the NSLDS Student Access website, the borrower must provide his/her Social Security Number (SSN), the first two letters of the last name, date of birth, and the borrower’s Federal PIN (Personal Identification Number).

Borrowers may log into the NSLDS website to determine to which loan servicer the borrower’s Direct Loans have been assigned. Direct Loan Servicers

Harvard University Private Loans for Graduate and Professional Students

Domestic and international students may apply for private education loans. When selecting a private loan, students should carefully review factors such as:

• Credit Requirements
• Interest rate (fixed or variable)
• Fees
• Repayment incentives
• Deferment and forbearance options (residency/fellowship)
• Repayment timelines and flexibility

Students are not required to use any of the lenders listed on this site. The lenders included here were selected based on accessibility to students, interest rate options, credit criteria, and repayment features. For detailed information, please consult each lender’s website.

Preferred Lender List and Loan Limits

For the 2026–27 academic year, Harvard University has two preferred lenders: Harvard Federal Credit Union (Harvard FCU) and College Ave Student Loans. For more information, please refer to the University-wide Preferred Lender List.

Domestic and international students may borrow up to the total cost of attendance, minus any other financial aid received.

Additional Supplemental Student Loan Options

Beyond Harvard’s preferred lenders, information about other supplemental loan options is available on the Harvard Private Loan website. These loans may not have specific maximum loan limits; however, the total amount of financial aid from all sources cannot exceed the standard student budget.

Residency Loans

Medical residency loans are available to help MD students in their graduating year meet the costs associated with a required medical residency. These costs include residency interview & travel expenses, as well as relocation expenses to the residency program. Students may apply for these loans beginning in their graduating year, up to several months following graduation. Application time length, amount of loan, interest rate, and loan conditions vary by lender. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for more information on these loans.

Extensive research opportunities for students are available in the Medical School Quadrangle, throughout Harvard University, within the Harvard teaching hospitals, and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The HMS Office of Scholarly Engagement (OSE) maintains a database of these potential projects to keep students informed about new and ongoing opportunities at HMS and beyond. Each Academic Society also has two designated Society Fellows who make up the HMS Faculty Committee on Scholarship in Medicine. The Society Fellows help students identify their research interests, advise students on finding appropriate mentors, and review student research funding proposals.

Each summer, many HMS students apply for and receive funding from the OSE. In many cases, funding is shared between the OSE and the laboratories or hospitals in which they work. The OSE also co-funds full-time academic year student research projects. Many MD students who began with summer research projects continue throughout the academic year; several pursue the five-year MD option, applying for a year of full-time funded research from medical and scientific professional societies, independent funders, hospitals, or other Harvard and outside granting agencies.

Funding students receive from the OSE for research projects conducted during a period of enrollment must be disclosed to the Financial Aid Office and incorporated into the student’s aid package. In cases where the student has already been funded up to the total amount allowed in his/her current student budget, a dollar-for-dollar adjustment must be made to the aid package to prevent the student from being overfunded. When making this adjustment to the aid package, the Office of Scholarly Engagement funding is first applied toward replacing the calculated parent contribution. After the parent contribution has been fully replaced, remaining funds will be used to decrease the loans in the aid package, beginning with the least favorable loan. HMS scholarships are decreased only if the Office of Scholarly Engagement funding exceeds the total amount of student loans and parent contribution.

HMS students in the Health Sciences and Technology (HST) Program are able to participate in graduate research and teaching assistantship programs. Teaching and research assistants work in a laboratory or assist in the teaching of a course, and are compensated with a tuition grant and monthly stipend.

In 2025-26, a part-time research assistant (RA) typically received $4,489 in tuition plus $7,575 in stipend payments. Stipends are paid directly to the student on a monthly basis and payroll taxes are deducted. Tuition is credited to the student’s HMS term bill at the end of the semester and applied to the following semester.

As with outside scholarships, funds received from the HST assistantship programs result in a dollar-for-dollar adjustment to the student’s aid package. When making this adjustment to the aid package, the HST funding is first applied toward replacing the calculated parent contribution. After the parent contribution has been fully replaced, remaining funds will be used to decrease the loans in the aid package, beginning with least favorable loan. HMS scholarships are decreased only if HST funds exceed the total amount of student loans.

Recipients of HST funding should notify the Financial Aid Office as soon as their placement is confirmed so they can plan appropriately for the resulting adjustments to the aid package.

As a veteran, you may be eligible for educational benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through one of the many educational benefit programs offered. The Post-9/11 GI Bill® provides funding for tuition, books, housing and required fees to eligible students.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the US Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official US government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Application Process

• Apply for your education benefits through the VA. Once your application and benefits are received and confirmed, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
• In order to process your VA benefits, submit a copy of COE to the HMS Financial Aid Office via the HMS Secure File Transfer Site along with a Notice of Student Enrollment Form prior to the start of the academic year.
• Every year, you will need to submit a Notice of Student Enrollment Form to continue to utilize your benefits. The COE should only be submitted once unless there has been a change in eligibility. If this is the case, contact the VA to receive an updated COE and then submit it to our office using the same process as before.

Harvard Medical School provides qualifying post-9/11 veterans the maximum assistance available through the Department of Veterans Affairs Yellow Ribbon Program. Applicants must receive 100% of the benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and have remaining eligibility for the Yellow Ribbon Program as established by the VA. Under this program, the Department of Veterans Affairs matches school aid contributions made to eligible veterans. Harvard Medical School will contribute the maximum amount to be matched by the VA for all eligible veterans .

Application Process

• Apply for your education benefits through the VA. Once your application and benefits are received and confirmed, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
• In order to process your VA benefits, submit a copy of COE to the HMS Financial Aid Office via the HMS Secure File Transfer Site along with a Notice of Student Enrollment Form prior to the start of the academic year.
• Every year, you will need to submit a Notice of Student Enrollment Form to continue to utilize your benefits. The COE should only be submitted once unless there has been a change in eligibility. If this is the case, contact the VA to receive an updated COE and then submit it to our office using the same process as before.
• Additional VA benefits for veterans provide substantial assistance for living expenses. These benefits should cover academic year living expenses for most Yellow Ribbon recipients. However, Yellow Ribbon recipients may also apply for federal student loans to meet living expenses costs, if needed.

Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31) provides educational funding for students with service-connected disabilities.

Application Process

• Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31) funding through the VA.
• Have the VA submit a Third-Party Billing Form and a Third-Party Letter to the Student Accounts Office.

The Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (Chapter 30) provides up to 36 months of educational funding for students who have served at least two years on active duty.

The Montgomery GI BIll - Selective Reserves (Chapter 1606) provides up to 36 months of educational training for students who are an active reservist with a 6 year service obligation.

The Dependents Educational Assistance Program (DEA)(Chapter 35) provides up to 45 months of educational training for students who are the child or spouse of a Veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or has disabilities.

Application Process

• Apply for your education benefits through the VA. Once your application and benefits are received and confirmed, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
• In order to process your VA benefits, submit a copy of COE to the HMS Financial Aid Office via the HMS Secure File Transfer Site along with a Notice of Student Enrollment Form prior to the start of the academic year.
• Every year, you will need to submit a Notice of Student Enrollment Form to continue to utilize your benefits. The COE should only be submitted once unless there has been a change in eligibility. If this is the case, contact the VA to receive an updated COE and then submit it to our office using the same process as before.
• Funds go directly to the student. Students receiving benefits from these programs are also eligible to apply for need-based aid. Funding through these benefits will be considered as an outside scholarship.

• Students receiving VA benefits may be eligible to receive a monthly housing allowance. Use the BAH/MHA Monthly Rate Calculator to determine your housing allowance .
• Students are eligible for a book allowance for up to $1,000.

• Harvard University Veteran & Military Benefits
• US Department of Veterans Affairs