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Financial Aid
The following financial aid information pertains to those students pursuing a DMD or postdoctoral degree. All financial aid matters concerning the Dental Hygiene program should be directed to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, Second Floor, Bruce Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Direct inquires can be made by calling 412-624-PITT.
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded through the Office of Student Services; however, a variety of external sources exist, as well. A complete listing of these sources is available within the Office of Student Services, Recruitment/Financial Aid Area. Applicants are reviewed on the basis of academic status as well as financial need. The amount of each award ranges from $500 to $1,500 per academic year. These scholarships are available to first professional students only.
Loans
Information regarding loan programs is subject to regular revision and should be verified with the Office for Student Services, Recruitment/Financial Aid Area annually.
International students should take note that financial aid may only be awarded to those students who are identified as U.S. citizens or Permanent Alien Residents with I-151 or I-551 cards. Proof of identification may be required. All other students should contact the Office of International Student Services, 725 William Pitt Union, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 or call (412) 624-7129.
Students are eligible to participate in the following loan programs; however, the amount available to each student is determined by financial need. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is used to collect income and asset information, which is calculated into an expected contribution amount. This amount, when subtracted from the educational costs, results in the financial need.
In addition to the FAFSA, the Student 1040/A/EZ from the immediate past calendar year and the Dmed Financial Aid Data Form must be submitted before any financial aid eligibility can be determined. These forms represent the minimum documentation required for any financial assistance. All information is to be returned to the Dental Medicine Recruitment/Financial Aid area by April 15th of the year in which the applicant plans to matriculate.
The first loan of consideration is the Subsidized Stafford Loan (SSL)formerly known as the Guaranteed Student Loan. This loan allows a maximum of $8,500 per academic year. The interest rate is variable on this loan, however, it cannot exceed 8.25% and is paid by the government during at least half-time enrollment.
The Nonsubsidized Stafford Loan (NSL) allows a maximum of $10,000 per academic year and closely parallels the former Supplemental Loan for Students. The interest rate for this loan is also variable and cannot exceed 8.25%; however, the borrower has the option of paying the interest or having it capitalized. Applicants may apply for both the SSL and NSL using the Stafford Common Loan application, which may be obtained from the same lender as any previous Stafford loans. If there is no previous Stafford lender or the previous lender is located outside Pennsylvania, any lender within the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) may be used.
Repayment on both the SSL and NSL begins six months following graduation with a repayment period of ten years. This is the initial source of financial assistance for all students and will be assumed in all award packaging. Further information and applications may be obtained from the lending institution or by contacting PHEAA directly at 800-692-7392.
The Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL/HPL) has an interest rate of 5% which is subsidized while the student maintains at least half-time enrollment status. Award amounts range from $1,000 to $9,000 per academic year and are determined by class costs, financial status, and account balance. Repayment of this subsidized loan begins 12 months after graduation with a maximum repayment period of 10 years. In order to be considered for this loan, supplemental information regarding parental income must be submitted. There are no exceptions to this requirement, regardless of age or marital status. Applicants with SSL applications and complete aid files will automatically be considered for this loan program. No separate application form is needed. This loan is available to first professional students only.
Effective October 1, 1995 the Health Education Assistance Loan (HEAL) ceased to be available to new borrowers. In an attempt to compensate for the loss of this lending source, various independent lending agencies have developed alternative loan programs. The complete listing and parameters of these programs are available in the Office for Student Services. Potential borrowers should note that alternative loans are based primarily on credit history. Therefore, any potential credit problems should be resolved prior to application to avoid processing delays.
NOTE: Additional information concerning financial aid is available upon request by writing the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine, ATTN: Office for Student Services, Recruitment/ Financial Aid, Salk Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261-1945, or by calling (412) 648-8437.
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