Financial Aid Policy
The Geisel School of Medicine recognizes that medical education is a significant financial commitment for both the institution and its students. We strive to provide financial aid assistance to as many students as possible who demonstrate financial need.
Since the medical school determines financial aid eligibility in the spring, shortly after tuition and fees are finalized, it is essential for applicants to apply for financial aid promptly. Application materials become available in October and we encourage applicants to complete their financial aid file prior to April. Students and their families are primary contributors to our ability to determine a history of financial need. As a result, we do not consider students to be financially independent from their parents when evaluating eligibility for need-based funds. Even if students wish to declare independence, the Geisel School of Medicine, like most U.S. medical schools, requires parental income statements from all applicants. This applies to everyone, no matter age, marital status, or family situation, if they want to be considered for institutional need-based loans and scholarships. Financial aid is awarded to students who would otherwise be unable to enroll without such assistance, within the limits of the school’s resources.
Navigating graduate school financial aid policies and procedures can be complex due to varying school and federal regulations. The Financial Aid Office at the Geisel School of Medicine is here to help. If you have questions or concerns about policies, procedures, or programs, we encourage you to visit, write: Geisel.Financial.Aid@dartmouth.edu , or call (603) 646-5564. Our Financial Aid Office is staffed by: G. Dino Koff, Assistant Vice President and Executive Director of Financial Aid, Michelle Chamley, Assistant Director of Financial Aid, and Margot Gueldenzoph, Financial Aid Assistant.
Student Expense Budgets
Please note the Student Expense Budget is reviewed annually by the Financial Aid Committee and is revised appropriately based upon data collected through a survey of enrolled students.
Determining Financial Need for Institutional Aid
Financial need is defined as the difference between the Medical School's educational costs and the resources that are available from the student/spouse and his/her family to meet these expenses. The Geisel School of Medicine encourages financial aid applicants to complete the school’s application, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the College Board’s CSS PROFILE form, for first time applicants, in order to be considered for institutional need-based aid. Based on the information provided by these forms, as well as supporting documentation, such as student and parent income tax returns and verification, the Financial Aid Office can inform you of your eligibility for need-based aid.
Financial Aid Packages
Financial aid packages consist of loans and, where financial need exists, a Geisel School of Medicine scholarship. The first portion of financial need is met with a base loan, which is composed of federal unsubsidized loan or, for those not eligible for federal funds, a Dartmouth Loan and Geisel loan funds. The base loan totals $42,700. Geisel School of Medicine scholarship is awarded when financial need exceeds the base loan. Geisel will award aid up to full cost of attendance.
Married Students
The financial aid packages of married students are arranged in such a way that the net earnings of the spouse may help to reduce the loan obligation of the student. The spouse's income, less taxes and childcare allowance, where applicable, is considered a resource in determining the overall size of the loan portion of the financial aid package. Scholarship eligibility for married students is determined as if the student were single.
International Students
Federal financial aid programs require that the recipient be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. Therefore, awards to international students may come from private and institutional sources. International students who wish to be considered Geisel funding should complete the CSS Profile application in addition to the school’s application. Additional resources of interest to international students may be found on The International Education Financial Aid Organization website www.iefa.org. This organization provides a free searchable database of scholarships and awards as well as a number of other resources of relevance to international students. Canadian citizens are always encouraged to seek assistance from their home province.
Outside Awards
Students are expected to notify the Financial Aid Office at the Geisel School of Medicine when an outside award is received. Federal regulations and School policy require that the Geisel School of Medicine financial aid award be adjusted when a student receives outside aid. To that end, when a student receives a loan or scholarship award from an outside source, an equivalent deduction is made from the loan portion of the Geisel aid package.
In the case of larger awards, such as Armed Forces Scholarships/National Health Service Corps Scholarships/Indian Health Scholarships, which provide substantial financial support in return for a service commitment, all Geisel scholarship to the student is rescinded.
With all outside awards, additional loans may be obtained only for the difference between the award and the school budget, less the recipient's expected resources. Smaller awards will be used to meet the gap between an award and the cost of attendance, or to lower loan obligations such as the Grad PLUS loan.