Now that you have been accepted to the MS Program in the Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences at the School of Dental Medicine, it’s time to complete your financial aid application. It is imperative that you follow the instructions and meet all deadlines for financial aid processing. You must complete and submit all documents to the School of Dental Medicine Financial Aid Office by mail or email by June 1, 2024. This deadline was determined in order to have funding available to you by the end of August.
Tuition Rates and Fees at Pitt >
MS degree seeking students who are US Citizens or Permanent Residents are eligible to apply for federal student aid. If you are not a US Citizen or Permanent Resident you are responsible for paying tuition and fees. The Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences Department is not able to offer financial assistance. You are responsible for paying tuition and fees.
Deadline to submit Financial Aid Forms is June 1, 2024.
Eligible students submitting documents after the deadline may not receive their financial aid by the start of the fall term and will need to make other arrangements to pay for tuition and living expenses. Waivers for tuition will not be granted; therefore, the graduate student must pay any late fees and make arrangements for living expenses.
To receive financial aid, interested students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. The school code for the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine is E00750. You must file your FAFSA any time after October 1 of the year before you will be registered for classes. Please remember that if you file a federal tax return, this information will be needed in order to complete the form. Please complete the FAFSA no later than March 30 in order to assure ample time to process this information and generate a Financial Aid Offer Letter for you.
Student Loan Programs
Financing your education can be difficult. Pitt Dental Medicine includes the following information to assist eligible applicants in our OCS Program.
You may borrow up to the amount of your estimated budget for the academic year in which you will be registered for classes.
Federal Direct Student Loan
The Federal Direct Student Loan program is the most widely used student loan program for both undergraduate and graduate students interested in borrowing to help meet educational expenses. Borrowing limits, interest rates and terms of repayment are determined and regulated by the United States Department of Education. The 2023-24 Academic Year interest rate for unsubsidized loans is fixed at 7.05 percent. Repayment begins six months following graduation. This is the initial source of financial assistance for all students, and will be assumed in all award packaging. Maximum loan offer each year is $20,500.
Alternative Loans
If the Direct Loan is not enough to cover all expenses, an Alternative Loan is the next type of loan for consideration. An Alternative Loan can be a Federal Graduate Plus Loan or a Private Loan. The Graduate Plus interest rate for 2023-24 is fixed at 8.05 percent. Private Loans offer both fixed and variable rates; both loans are unsubsidized loans. Terms and conditions vary from lender to lender. It is the student's responsibility to research the loan that best suits their needs.
Student Loan Disbursement
Student loans will arrive in two equal disbursements. Funds will be disbursed approximately a week before the beginning of each term. The funds will be applied to your student account and all tuition and fee charges will be deducted from the loan. If you have a credit balance after all charges have been deducted, you will receive a refund within three to five working days from the day the money was applied to your account.
Graduate Student Research Fellowships
All PhD applications will automatically be considered for Graduate Student Research (GSR) fellowships. GSRs at the OCS program will conform to the Graduate Student Researcher Policy. GSRs fellowships provide stipends, tuition scholarships for up to 15 credits/semester, and health insurance for four years. Stipends for PhD students are based on rates set by the University of Pittsburgh. To be eligible to receive a GSR fellowship, students must maintain full-time status and must be enrolled for minimum of 9 credits of coursework.
For more information about student loans please contact the Office of Student Affairs.