We finally got the finaid emails, but it ain't over yet.
You log in initially with your SSN student ID and YYMM (birthday) PIN - change it to something you will remember. After clicking on the financial aid link, it will ask for a school year (2005-2006), and then ask you to update your personal info (this page takes forever to load). Then you get the following page (assuming you arenot timed out a thousand times):
"Financial Aid Application
Student Certification
School * Medicine
Year * I
Level * Graduate
Number of Months * 8
Graduation Date * 05-30-2009
Enrollment Dates * 08-29-2005 * - * 04-28-2006
Budget and Award Information
(how much for tuition & books)
...then it asks:
"Please enter funding you expect to receive from external sources (DO NOT LIST STUDENT LOANS AND OTHER FINANCIAL AID AWARDED BY THIS OFFICE)
Loans$
Scholarships$
Grants$
Third Party Payment$
...then you are asked if you want $3000 for a computer
Then it asks if you want a primary care loan.
As this was explained to me, unless it's written in the stars/ a burning bush that you want to do primary care, don't apply for this loan.
They don't explain on this page, but other sources tell me that this loan is very cheap if you stay in primary, BUT if you change your mind the rates SKYROCKET!!
"In order to be awarded a primary care loan you must agree to practice primary health care according to the terms of the program. Primary health care as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services is family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics, preventive medicine, and osteopathic general practice.
I am interested in practicing primary health care: Yes ** No"
So, like I said, say yes to that only after you've researched it extensively, and you are clairvoyant.
Next, they tell you: "Select the budget that represents the best estimate of what your monthly living expenses are for your period of enrollment. Financial Aid funding will not exceed the maximum (AVERAGE BUDGET LEVEL)
*If you need help selecting a monthly living expense, please go to
http://www.utmb.edu/enrollmentservices/prospect/financial_aid/FinancialPlanning.htm. This will provide guidance in developing a budget."
*=> When picking a monthly budget, keep in mind this axiom:
Live like a doctor when you're a student, and you will live like a student when you're a doctor." So choose the best fit for yourself.
Finally, they have another obtuse statement:
"Funding for Remaining Eligibility
*If after being packaged according to UTMB Policy my remaining eligibility is unmet, my remaining eligibility may be funded from one or more of the loan funds discussed in the Financial Assistance for Students at UTMB.
*I need to request financial aid resources to cover the entire budget amount (or) I would like to borrow a lesser amount of * $ "
The best interpretation of this is that if you don't get the money you're eligible for, do you want us to keep looking for more money for you?"
Remember: you do NOT have to take all of the money that you are eligible for, so don't fret about the exact amount you need now. You can pick the first choice, and just not take all of it later.
Then you confirm more stuff, and get a page saying you will get an award letter in a few days.
I hope this helps!
