FINANCIAL AID POLICY

All financial aid for medical students is processed through the USF Health Office of Financial Aid.

Short Term Loans

An interest-free loan may be available to assist in short-term financial emergencies. The loan takes about 10 days to process and must be repaid within 90 days. Please contact the USF Health Office of Financial Aid for more information.

Impact of a Leave of Absence or Withdrawal on Repayment of Student Loans

For the purposes of financial aid, a leave of absence (LOA) is considered a temporary break in a student’s attendance that cannot exceed 180 days within a 12-month period. If a leave of absence is more than 180 days, the student is treated as a withdrawal for the purposes of financial aid. If a student withdraws from MCOM and received financial aid during their enrollment, a Return to Title IV Programs calculation must be done. As a result, the student may be required to repay aid already disbursed.

Students are strongly encouraged to participate in a financial aid exit interview prior to taking a leave of absence. During this financial aid exit interview, a team member from the USF Health Office of Financial Aid will advise the student about their rights, responsibilities, and loan repayment obligations for the financial aid they have received. MCOM is required to report to the lender(s) that a student is “no longer enrolled” when the leave of absence exceeds 180 days. As a result, the student may be obligated to begin loan repayment.

For further information about financial aid or for assistance, please visit or contact the USF Health Office of Financial Aid