Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a Financial Aid Award Notification?

The financial aid award notification lists the type(s) of financial aid for which a student is eligible and is available to view once your financial aid application has been reviewed and processed by the Financial Aid Office.  Award notifications are available on MyAccess (a valid university NetID and password are required).  Students must review their award notification and accept the total amount of financial aid they wish to receive for the academic year before federal student loans and institutional scholarships can be processed for disbursement. 

2. I’ve never borrowed before. How do I choose a lender for my school loans?

The School of Medicine participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan Program.  The federal government is the lender in the Federal Direct Loan Program so it is not necessary for student borrowers to choose a specific lending institution as the provider of their federal student loans.  Additional information concerning the Federal Direct Student Loan Program can be obtained here.

3. How do I get a refund of financial aid for living expenses?

A student tuition account refund occurs when financial aid is received in excess of tuition, fees and other institutional charges. Refunds are requested electronically via the MyAccess system and are processed by the Office of Student Accounts.  Students can opt to have a refund processed via either paper check or electronic funds transfer. 

4. What is an “Emergency Loan?”

An "emergency loan" is a cash advance against an expected financial aid refund and is intended to help students meet their short term financial needs. Emergency loans are available only to students receiving sufficient financial aid to create a credit balance after tuition and fees are paid.  The maximum emergency loan is $1,200 - a charge for the advance is applied to your tuition balance and is paid when financial aid funds disburse; there is no service fee or interest assessed for this advance. Students are allowed one emergency loan per semester. Emergency loans are obtained from the Office of Student Accounts (located in the White-Gravenor Building on the main campus).

5. My tuition is paid by an outside agency (National Health Service Corps, military, etc.). What should I do?

Send a copy of your selection notice to both the Office of Student Financial Planning and the Office of Student Accounts. Incoming students should always bring a copy of their selection notice with them to registration.


6. I have previous educational loans. Who processes my deferment forms?

Deferment forms are processed by the Medical School Registrar. Most lenders, however, participate with the National Student Loan Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse collects enrollment data on each student and sends that information to lenders electronically. Contact your lender to ensure that they are able to receive data from the Clearinghouse. If they are not, please bring your loan deferment forms with you to registration.

7. What is verification?

The federal government requires that financial aid offices verify information on a certain percentage of students receiving financial aid. This ensures that information on the FAFSA is correct and that funds are being awarded to the students who really need them. You will be notified by the federal processor if your FAFSA has been selected for verification.  The Office of Student Financial Planning will provide you with the required verification forms but it is your responsibility to ensure that you complete and submit all required documents to complete the verification process.  Financial aid funds cannot be disbursed until the verification process has been completed.


8. I’m an independent student. Do my parents have to fill out anything and, if so, why?

As of July 1, 1993, all graduate/professional students are considered independent for purposes of federal financial aid. Students applying only for federal student loans are not required to provide parent financial information other than direct parental financial support as requested on the Georgetown Application for Financial Aid. 

Unmarried students, however, must include parent financial information on both the FAFSA and Georgetown Application for Financial Aid to be considered for Georgetown-administered scholarships.  Married students with a spouse who is currently employed must include financial information on their spouse.  Married students with a spouse who is not currently employed must provide parent financial information to be considered for Georgetown-administered scholarships.