Financial aid at HSPH may be based on merit, need, or often, a combination of both. Merit-based and combination funding sources are through the individual departments which control the application procedures, criteria, amounts, and decisions. Students may receive tuition awards, stipends, or assistantships (teaching or research).
All applicants for need-based financial aid are required to complete a Harvard School of Public Health Financial Aid Application. For more detailed application instructions, please visit our web site or contact the OSFS for an application. Please note that Health Care Management Program (MS) students are not eligible to apply for federal financial aid. While U.S. Citizens and Eligible Non-Citizens in all other HSPH-degree programs may apply for federal assistance, international students are not eligible. See the sections below that explain financial aid opportunities for both domestic and international students. Please also note that students in joint programs apply for and receive their financial aid through the partner school. (That is, MD/MPH students who attend Harvard Medical School (HMS) should contact the HMS financial aid office. JD/MPH students who attend Harvard Law School (HLS) should contact the HLS financial aid office for support. Please note that JD/MPH students interested in non-federal loans ONLY during the summer term at HSPH may contact the HSPH OSFS.) Students in PhD programs apply for and receive their federal financial aid through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) and should contact the GSAS financial aid office.
US CITIZENS AND ELIGIBLE NON-CITIZENS
FINANCIAL AID ELIGIBILITY
The Office of Student Financial Services determines need-based eligibility according to federal regulations and university policy. A student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is calculated using the information the student reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the HSPH Financial Aid Application, and any other supporting documentation. Financial aid eligibility or need is then determined by subtracting the EFC from the estimated student expense budget. According to federal law, students' need-based awards may not exceed financial need.
| Estimated Student Expense Budget minus Expected Family Contribution = Financial Need/Eligibility |
FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE
The financial aid package is calculated according to financial need, the availability of funds, and other aid awarded from outside the OSFS. The majority of aid offered through the OSFS is in the form of federal student loans. Although every effort is made to offer an applicant an aid package that meets as much need as possible, HSPH is not able to fully meet the financial need of all financial aid applicants due to limited resources. Students with "unmet need" are encouraged to consider alternative means to cover expenses (i.e., reducing living costs, working, attending school less than full-time, or borrowing through alternative loan sources). The total aid offered to a student from all sources, including federal loans, cannot exceed the estimated student budget.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE
WILLIAM D. FORD FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM
Federal Direct Student Loans are low interest loans provided to students with capital from the federal government instead of from a bank. The Direct Loan may be offered as a Subsidized or an Unsubsidized Loan or a combination of both. The subsidized loan is a need-based loan and no interest accrues while the student is enrolled (at least half-time) or during grace and deferment periods. The unsubsidized loan is not based upon need and interest accrues while the student is in school. It is the student’s responsibility to pay the interest as it accrues OR the student may opt to have the interest capitalized (added to the principal balance).
Students are eligible for up to $18,500 in Direct Loans per year. The maximum subsidized portion is $8,500 (depending on financial need). The balance of $10,000 must be unsubsidized. If a student does not meet the financial need criteria, the full $18,500 will be unsubsidized. Full-time students may be eligible for an additional $12,500 per year through the unsubsidized loan program.
The interest rate on the Direct loans is will be fixed at 6.8% for any loans borrowed after July 1, 2007. A 1 % fee is deducted from the proceeds of the loan, at the time of disbursement to the student term bill.
Direct loans are disbursed to the student’s term bill after all required documentation is received, a Master Promissory Note (MPN) is signed, the student is registered, and for first-time borrowers, an Entrance Interview has been completed. Exit Counseling is required for all graduating students as well as those whose enrollment falls below half-time.
Students who wish to access their Direct Loan Accounts, may do so at the website: http://www.dl.ed.gov
FEDERAL CARL D. PERKINS LOAN PROGRAM
The Perkins is a low-interest (5% fixed) federal loan program for students with exceptional financial need. The maximum loan amount per year is $6000. Direct loans are disbursed to the student term bill once all required documentation is received, a Master Promissory Note (MPN) is signed, the student is registered, and for first-time borrowers, an Entrance Interview has been completed. Exit Counseling is required for all graduating students as well as those whose enrollment falls below half-time.
Students may receive in-school, grace and hardship deferments. Cancellation for certain careers (teaching, law enforcement) and service (volunteer and military) may also be possible. Please contact the Harvard University’s Student Loan Office for more information on deferment and cancellation options or visit http://vpf-web.harvard.edu/ofs/sfs/.
FEDERAL WORK STUDY (FWS)
FWS is a federal financial aid program in which the federal government subsidizes approximately 70% of eligible students' earnings. FWS funds are not disbursed to the student’s account, but instead through a weekly paycheck. Pay rates range. Students may work up to 20 hours per week when school is in session and up to 40 hours per week during summer and vacations/school breaks. FWS awards are based on a student's financial need, other financial aid awarded, and availability of funds. The FWS award is the maximum amount a student may earn in the academic year (using the federal subsidy). When a student is within $200 of the ceiling, he/she may contact the OSFS to request a possible increase in the ceiling. Employers are required to pay 100% of a student's earnings that exceed the awarded amount.
Students may work on-campus or for an approved off-campus employer. On-campus employers are those that have a Harvard University payroll account (For example, a student may work for a Harvard professor at Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary. Even though ME&E is geographically "off- campus” the payroll may be through Harvard. Therefore, this would be considered an "on-campus" job.). The student must complete an online On-Campus FWS Referral Form and then the department places the student on the School's "temporary payroll".
Eligible off-campus employers must be non-profit, non-religious, and non-political. The form for off-campus work study jobs must be filled out online.
Students may learn more about Federal Work Study and job opportunities at: http://www.seo.harvard.edu.
FEDERAL GRADUATE PLUS PROGRAM (GradPLUS)
Beginning July 1, 2006, a new federal supplemental loan program will be available for domestic graduate students called Graduate PLUS. This new loan program serves the function of a private loan, and it also has the benefits of a federal loan program, such as deferment, forbearance, consolidation, and death and disability cancellation. As a Harvard University is a participant in the Direct Loan Program, you can borrow this loan through either the Department of Education’s Direct Loan program, or from any other lending agency (FFEL). In reviewing other lenders in the FFEL Programs, we are recommending Citibank. Unlike other federal loans however you must pass a credit check. A master promissory note will be required in order to disburse funds. Please see our website for more information regarding the terms and conditions of PLUS including interest rates which are fixed but differ depending on the lender (government versus private).
SUPPLEMENTAL LOAN SOURCES
Students who are either ineligible for Federal Stafford Loans or looking to supplement their financial aid package with outside sources of private loan funding can contact the Office of Student Financial Services (OSFS) or visit the Supplemental Loan Section.
SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS
To receive Federal/Title IV financial aid, a student must be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress as defined in the 2006-2007 HSPH Student Handbook. As such, the student must
- maintain a GPA of at least 2.70, or be on academic probation as defined by the Registrar if the GPA is less than 2.70;
- satisfy academic degree requirements;
- not have withdrawn from at least 50% of credits attempted and must complete requirements for graduation within 150% of the normal time allotted for students in similar situations;
- be making adequate progress toward degree according to expected graduation date.
This policy applies to students who withdraw, are approved for a leave of absence for longer than 180 days, or are academically dismissed from the institution. Tuition refunds for these students are determined according to the following policy:
1.) The term "Title IV Funds" refers to the federal financial aid programs authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (as amended) and for students enrolled at Harvard School of Public Health includes the following programs: subsidized Direct Loans, unsubsidized Direct Loans, and Federal Perkins Loans.
2.) A student's withdrawal date is:
a) The date the student began the institution's withdrawal process or officially notified the institution of intent to withdraw; or
b) The student's last date of attendance as documented by academically related activity; or
c) The midpoint of the period of enrollment for a student who leaves without notifying the institution.
3.) Determining the amount of Title IV funds to be returned:
- Refunds on all allowable charges including tuition and fees will be prorated on a per diem basis based on the number of days in attendance as a proportion to the number of days in the term or period of enrollment, up to the 60% point in the semester. There are no refunds after the 60% point in time, as the federal regulations view the aid has been "100% earned" after that point in time. A copy of the worksheet used for this calculation and examples can be requested from the Harvard School of Public Health Office of Student Financial Services.
- For the purpose of billing and calculating refunds, the WinterSession is considered part of the spring semester.
- Refunds and adjusted bills will be sent to the student's home address following withdrawal.
- There are no refunds for incomplete independent study or correspondence courses.
- In accordance with federal regulations, the return of Title IV funds is paid in the following order:
- Unsubsidized Direct Loans
- Subsidized Direct Loans
- Federal Perkins Loans
- Other Title IV assistance
- Other Federal sources of aid
- Other state, private, and institutional aid
- The student
4.) Institutional and student responsibilities in regard to the Return of Title IV Funds ¨
- HSPH's responsibilities include:
- Providing each student with the information given in this policy
- Identifying students who are affected by this policy
- Completing the Return of Title IV Funds calculation for students who are subject to the policy
- Returning the Title IV Funds that are due the Title IV programs.
- The student's responsibilities include returning to the Title IV programs any funds that were disbursed directly to the student and for which the student was determined to be ineligible via the Return of Title IV Funds calculation.
The fees, procedures, and policies listed above supersede those published previously and are subject to change at any time.
Students with Federal/Title IV financial aid must notify the OSFS immediately of a pending withdrawal or leave, as Federal refunds must be made within 30 days of the date of withdrawal or leave. Generally, repayments to the Federal Aid Programs will be made first to the Federal Direct loans and then to the Perkins Loan Program. Students have the right to obtain a final calculation of the Return of Federal Funds.
| Students should contact the Registrar's Office for details on procedures for withdrawing or requesting a leave of absence. |
THE TAX PAYER RELIEF ACT OF 1998
The Tax Payer Relief Act of 1998 provides for certain tax benefits for students paying qualified tuition and related expenses. The payment may have occurred as either direct payment from the student or through the use of a student loan. Additionally, tax benefits may be realized when repaying the interest on student loans.
The OSFS is unable to provide tax advice to students. It is suggested that students contact their tax preparer or obtain additional information through the Internal Revenue Service's web site: www.ir.treas.gov (Publication 970). Another helpful source is "Understanding the Tuition and Fees Tax Deduction" which may be accessed at www.NASFAA.org/publications/2004/rtaxdeductionguide051903.html.