Frequently Asked Questions

No. Federal student loans are only available to U.S. citizens and eligible permanent residents.

No. Only U.S. citizens and eligible permanent residents are eligible to apply for and receive University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry funded grants/scholarships.

You may be eligible for loans from your own country and some private educational loans through U.S. lenders. Most U.S. lenders will require non-U.S. citizens to have a credit-worthy U.S. citizen co-signer.

No. We are unable to offer loans to international students. We also cannot co-sign a loan for a student.

The student expense budget includes tuition and fees, allowances for living expenses (room and board, personal and medical expenses) allowances for books and supplies, transportation, national board exam fees, loan origination fees, and residency application and interview expenses. Childcare expenses for disabilities may also be included if appropriate.

The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry reviews the student expense budget annually via surveying the student body. Adjustments are made to the student budget based on the results of this annual survey.

Federal regulations mandate that the student expense budget only include education-related expenses. There are many items that students assume can be included in the student expense budget that are prohibited. The most common misconceptions include the following:

• Consumer Debt: Students are advised that the budget will not allow for any consumer debt such as monthly credit card payments. Students are advised to budget wisely during the summer months, and to attempt to pay off all credit card debt before coming to medical school. The Financial Aid Office cannot make allowances for credit card debt.
• Wardrobe: The cost of a professional wardrobe will also not be considered for a budget adjustment. Students are advised that this cost may be considerable and that wise comparison shopping is advisable.
• Moving/Summer Expenses: Moving expenses incurred during the summer preceding your enrollment at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry are not legitimate for increases to the student expense budget. Students are advised to budget accordingly if they will be moving a distance. Additionally, expenses incurred during the summer(s) between academic years are not covered under the student expense budget.
• Board Prep. Materials: Expenses associated with board preparation such as the USLME Qbanks are not allowable under the budget adjustment process. Only required books and educational supplies may be included in the student expense budget. Occasionally, a student may be approved for a budget increase for a Board Review course. However, students need be mandated/required to attend the program in order to continue in the curriculum and/or graduate.

A Word on Savings: It is important that you build up some form of liquid savings that can be used prior to arriving on campus. This will help you cover startup costs such as first month's rent, security deposits, moving expenses, etc., while waiting for your financial aid to disburse to your student accounts and refund checks to be issued.

Students who are accepted and enroll in a degree program at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry should arrive in Rochester with at least one month of living expenses in reserve. The federal loan disbursement process does not take place until the first week of classes, and it may take up to another week for refund checks to be issued.

Expenses for necessary medical (including dental and vision) treatment not covered by insurance may be allowed as an adjustment to the student expense budget if you have already met/exceeded the medical allowance component of your expense budget. If you have a medical expense that is not covered by insurance, please contact our office on how to proceed. We will request documentation of all out-of-pocket expenses prior to an adjustment being approved.

If you have purchased a computer or smartphone/tablet, and would like additional loan funds to offset the purchase, you may request a budget increase. You will need to complete the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Budget Loan Adjustment Form and attach supporting documentation of the computer or smartphone/tablet expenses.

The maximum amount of an increase for a computer purchase is $1,800. Students are permitted only one budget adjustment for a computer during their program at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

The maximum amount of an increase for a tablet/smartphone purchase is $600. Students are permitted only one budget adjustment for a tablet/smartphone (in addition to the computer) during their program at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Please note, you can utilize the request for increase for a tablet OR a smartphone, not both.

Other expenses may be considered for a budget adjustment if they are deemed reasonable, and educationally related. Please schedule a meeting with the Financial Aid Office to discuss your options. You should be prepared to document these expenses (copies of bills, receipts, invoices, etc.).

All loans are disbursed in two parts during the first weeks of each semester. In the fall term it occurs in early-July for third and fourth year medical students and in mid-August for first and second year medical students. The funds will be disbursed directly to your Student Account in the Bursar’s Office.

If you borrowed loans greater than the amount of your University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry tuition and fees charges (and any other outstanding charges), the Bursar’s Office will automatically refund the excess amount to you.

If you completed/submitted all required documents on time and are eligible for a refund, the Bursar’s Office will process your refund check shortly after your Student Account balance is paid in full. This generally occurs each semester during the full first week of classes.

Students may sign up for Direct Deposit via UR Student. If you do not opt for Direct Deposit, refund checks are mailed to University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry mailboxes. Other arrangements for where the check is sent may be made in advance by contacting the Bursar’s Office.

For more information on the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry’s financial aid policies, please refer to the Medical Student Financial Aid Handbook.