Georgetown University Medical Center

Frequently Asked Questions

Section: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an Award Letter?

The financial aid award letter indicates which type(s) of financial aid you are eligible for and is sent to you after your financial aid file has been reviewed. Two copies of the award letter are mailed, one of which MUST be signed and returned prior to the release of any aid. Detailed information on your financial aid is contained in the letter and it should be reviewed very carefully.


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

Please contact the Office of Student Financial Planning (OSFP) for loan programs for medical students (Click Here for OSFP contact information)


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

A student account refund occurs when financial aid is received in excess of tuition and other institutional charges. Refunds are requested through and processed by the Office of Student Accounts.


4. What is an “Emergency Loan?”

An emergency loan is a cash advance against an expected tuition refund and is intended to help students meet their short term financial needs. Emergency loans are only available to students receiving sufficient financial aid to cover their semester’s charges, and who are expecting a tuition refund. The maximum emergency loan is $1,200 applied to your tuition balance. Students are allowed one emergency loan per semester. Emergency loans can be applied for with the Office of Student Accounts.


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 Office of Student Financial Planning and a copy to the Office of Student Accounts. Always bring a copy of your notice with you to registration.


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

Deferment forms are processed by the Medical School Registrar. Most lenders 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 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 its population receiving aid. This ensures that information on the FAFSA is correct and that funds are being awarded to those students who really need them. You will be notified by the Office of Student Financial Planning if you need to complete any additional information for the verification process.


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 students are considered independent for purposes of financial aid. Therefore, students applying only for loans are not required to submit parental data other than direct parental support as requested on the Georgetown Application for Financial Aid.

However, unmarried students must include parent information, and married students must include information on their spouse to be considered for Georgetown-administered scholarships. All students, regardless of marital status, must include parental information to be considered for PCL funds.