UNSOM Prospective Applicants: Admissions Information: Financial Aid
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University of Nevada School of Medicine
Financial Planning
WHEN YOU FIRST CONSIDER APPLYING TO MEDICAL SCHOOL:
- Minimize any undergraduate student loan debt as much as possible
- Pay off or pay down personal debt
- Maintain a good credit rating - Make sure you check your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com
- Take advantage of employment opportunities and save as much money as possible
- Applicants are encouraged to learn how to manage personal finances, including keeping good records of loans and learning about financial aid
- Keep good records of your undergraduate student loans.
- Request a PIN number for FAFSA (if needed at www.fafsa.gov)
THE YEAR PRIOR TO ANTICIPATED ENROLLMENT IN MEDICAL SCHOOL:
Scholarships
The School of Medicine awards two types of scholarships:
Scholarships are offered to accepted medical students. Merit scholarships are awarded by the admissions committee after review of accepted applicants’ academic achievements, leadership, clinical experiences, and commitment to providing health care to needy communities. The School of Medicine is committed to accepting students representing all of Nevada’s diverse communities and offsetting the cost of medical school for all students. Merit scholarships do not require a separate application the committee awards these scholarships based upon information in the applicant’s admission file.
Need-based scholarships are available for all medical students who qualify. An application is required and is sent to all matriculates after acceptance to medical school. One hundred percent of Nevada students who apply qualify for a need-based scholarship. The average award is $6,515. Nevada students benefit from the generosity of donors to the School of Medicine. Medical students were awarded approximately $1.3 million in scholarships last year.
There is a separate application for the School of Medicine's need-based scholarships that will be e-mailed to you upon admission to the School of Medicine.
Now it's time to research private scholarships. A few days searching the Internet could be very rewarding! You are encouraged to register with FastWEB, a free, reputable, scholarship search at www.fastweb.com.
Get ready to file for Federal Financial Aid immediately after the New Year begins! Check out FAFSA on the WEB at www.fafsa.ed.gov to see what information is needed. It's easy, and the data is edited before it can be submitted - avoiding delays in processing.
THE YEAR YOU PLAN TO BEGIN MEDICAL SCHOOL:
JANUARY
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at fafsa.gov. Students can use estimated income if they have not completed their taxes but must be as accurate as possible. After filing taxes, students must make corrections to the FAFSA (online with PIN number) using the information for the completed 1040. Students should also check the box that they have filed a completed 1040. Students should make copies of “signed” 1040 and W-2 (all) forms in case they are selected for “Verification” by the financial aid office. If a student is selected, it will appear on your “to do list”.
FAFSA filers receive an e-mail notice from the student financial services office when their data is received. Independent students do not need to include their parents’ income; your responses to the questions in step three of the FAFSA will determine if you need to provide parents information. Review financial aid available at the medical schools you are applying for admission. Students are strongly encouraged to pay attention to scholarships that may be offered and consider the average amount and requirements to qualify. In addition, students should research private scholarships, search online for information and students are urged to register with Fast WEB (www.fastweb.com), a free and reputable scholarship search engine.
Because you are an independent student due to your graduate enrollment status, you do not need to include your parents' income information on the FAFSA.
FEBRUARY
Review your “To do list” (at least once a week) on My Nevada for any requested student information. Most of the forms that you may need are located at www.finaid.unr.edu under forms. Review it and return with necessary corrections. If students have a federal PIN number, corrections can be made online. File all financial aid information in a safe place.
MARCH
Review your “To do list” (at least once a week) using your UNR MY NEVADA account to ensure financial aid file is complete. If other documents are required, a request will be sent with instructions and the request will be on your to do list. Respond quickly and be aware of deadlines. Incomplete files are not offered aid. Files completed by March 1 get more consideration. Ask each medical school to provide information on their average student loan debt. Designate a folder for each medical school you are considering and file information regarding financial aid and copies of applications and forms.
APRIL
Review your “To do list” The financial services office will start posting scholarship and aid offers on your MY NEVADA account. If a student is moving for the summer, they should update their address using their MY NEVADA account. The School of Medicine sends accepted students applications for need-based scholarships. Keep checking you’re to do list using you’re MY NEVADA account. Complete the “Reporting Changes” form if you will be receiving any outside aid (military or other type aid like a high school scholarship) and submit to the financial aid office.
JUNE
If a student accepts a Stafford loan, the student will need to complete the entrance counseling and master promissory note (if first time borrower at https://studentloans.gov. Students should also use My Nevada to set up direct deposit with the cashier’s office (will need checking account information to complete process; click on cashier’s link).
JULY
Complete student financial aid office and direct loan paperwork. Review and compete any request on the” To do list”.
University of Nevada School of Medicine
Pennington Medical Education Bldg., #210
Reno, NV 89557
775.682.8358
775.784.6194 (fax)
lrwalker@medicine.nevada.edu
