FAQ

How is financial need determined?

Financial need is defined as the difference between the annual cost of attendance and the financial resources expected to be available from the student (and spouse, if applicable) and his or her family to meet those expenses. A family's ability to contribute to a student's education is determined by a federally-approved needs analysis system, federal methodology. The student's and family's ability to contribute is called the Expected Family Contribution or EFC. Cost of attendance minus EFC equals need. The medical school uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Need Access Form to assess family resources and determine financial need.

Does Alpert Medical School offer any aid that is not based upon financial need?

Except for scholarships that are awarded to MD/PhD students, all financial aid at Alpert Medical School is awarded on the basis of financial need. 

Do I need to provide parental information to be considered for aid?

No. Students may apply for several types of federal and alternative loans without submitting parent information. If necessary, students may borrow a combination of loans to cover the full cost of attendance each year. The most common loans that do not require parent information are the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan, the Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, and the Graduate PLUS Loan.
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What if I take time off before or during medical school?

Most loan programs offer a six-month grace period during which all payments are suspended.  Additional deferment or forbearance periods may allow for the reduction in or suspension of payments.

In addition, Alpert Medical School students may request Medical Student Fellow status during periods in which they are engaged in medical research under faculty supervision.  During this period, students are certified as full-time students and thus loans do not go into repayment.  The fee for this status is $100 per semester.

Do I need to complete a financial aid application every year?

Yes.  Each year that you want to be considered for financial aid, you must apply anew. The financial aid application includes periods of enrollment from July 1 to June 30.

How do I file the FAFSA?

We urge you to complete and transmit the FAFSA electronically by accessing the FAFSA web site.

Do I have to file electronically?

You may obtain a paper FAFSA from the Financial Aid Office, but be aware that the processing time for a paper FAFSA application is longer than for the electronic application. Be sure to allow the FAFSA center at least two weeks to process your paper application.

What happens if I've forgotten my FAFSA PIN (Personal Identification Number)?

To request that your PIN be sent to you again, or if you believe your PIN has been compromised, go to http://www.pin.ed.gov and follow the links from here.

What is Alpert Medical School's federal code for FAFSA filing?

E00059.

What is the Need Access Application?

The Need Access Application is a supplemental form used by the medical school to determine the contribution that a family (i.e., parents, students and spouse) can make toward a student's education. This document is required each year in order to be considered for Brown loans and Brown scholarships.

Do I have to complete an Alpert Medical School Financial Aid Application in   addition to the FAFSA and Need Access Forms?

Yes.  This form is required of all aid applicants and is available here.

What are the common mistakes students make in applying for financial aid?

1. Forgetting to use Brown's federal code.
2. Forgetting to sign tax forms.
3. Submitting required application documents late.
4. Forgetting to update student status questions on the FAFSA for graduate/medical identification.

What is the application deadline? When will I receive my financial aid award?

The deadline for receipt of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Need Access Form is April 1. The deadline for receipt of all other materials is April 15. Other materials include the Alpert Medical School Financial Aid Application, your federal tax returns and W2 forms (and, if you are married, the same information for your spouse), and your parents' federal tax returns and W2 forms. International students have other application requirements. Please refer to the Financial Aid Guide for a detailed description of the requirements.

If you are a continuing Alpert Medical School student, an incoming Brown-Dartmouth student or an incoming advanced standing student, and you meet these deadlines, you will receive your award notification in mid-May.

Note to Admissions Applicants: If you have been offered admission to the first-year class and you complete your financial aid application by March 1, you will receive your award notification by April 1. If your application is completed by the April 15 deadline date, you will receive your award notification by May 1.  For candidates who are on the waiting list for admission, awards are issued as soon as possible after admission offers are made.