IMPORTANT NEWS FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS WHO USE FEDERAL DIRECT LOANS TO FINANCE THEIR EDUCATION.

The Budget Control Act of 2011 passed the US House of Representatives, eliminates subsidized interest on Stafford loans to graduate and professional students, effective for new loans made on or after July 1, 2012. Subsidized interest means the government pays the interest while the student is in an in-school or other authorized deferment period. It does not affect the interest rates for graduate and professional students. Graduate and professional students will still be able to borrow up to $40,500 in Stafford loans, but the loans will be entirely unsubsidized starting with new loans made on or after July 1, 2012.

If you do not find the information you need on the website, please contact the Director of Student Services/Financial Aid at the Brody School of Medicine.

Thanks for visiting our web site.

Kelly D. Lancaster

Director of Student Services and Financial Aid

Office of Student Affairs, Brody 2S20

Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University

Greenville, NC 27834

Telephone: (252) 744-2278
Fax: (252) 744-3250

Hours of Operations: Monday – Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm

The Cost of Attendance (COA) provides students with an idea of what costs might be incurred as a medical student attending BSOM. There are two types of costs listed: direct costs and indirect costs.

Direct Costs are those you pay directly to the university and include tuition and fees.  The student health insurance plan is also a direct cost for those students who choose to purchase the plan.

Indirect Costs are costs you will likely face during the academic year but which are not owed directly to the university. Example of indirect costs include; books and supplies, rent, and personal expenses. Indirect costs are simply estimates. You can control how much you spend. Use our estimates as a starting point and then budget appropriately.  Keep in mind that the Financial Aid Office can only award students with an amount of aid equal to or less than their associated cost of attendance.

The Cost of Education does not include consumer debts, such as car payments, bank loans, or credit card obligations which students may have established prior to medical school.  Students should try to eliminate previous debts before beginning their medical school career.

Married students and/or students with dependents should note that federal regulations stipulate that your budget for the year only include living expenses solely for you. The expectation is that the living expenses of your spouse and dependents will be met through spouse’s earnings.

In exceptional circumstances, students may apply to receive additional funds for child day care costs and for certain other expenses. Students will be required to provide documentation such as receipts at time of request.

COST OF ATTENDANCE FOR academic year 2013-2014

Based on the information you reported on the FAFSA,(income, assets, number of family members, number in college, etc.) it is applied to a formula established by the U.S. Congress. The formula calculates your family's ability to pay for your educational expenses and produces a figure that is referred to as your   Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your financial need is the difference between your cost of attendance, as calculated by the BSOM, and your Expected Family Contribution.  
This calculation is often expressed as follows:

Cost of Attendance – EFC = Need based Eligibility

Your award package may consist of federal financial aid you are eligible to receive and any institutional scholarship(s) or non-institutional (outside) assistance you are receiving. Your total award package cannot exceed the cost of attendance determined by the Brody School of Medicine at ECU. Federal regulations require you to inform the Office of Student Affairs of all educational assistance you may be receiving. Failure to do so can result in a financial aid over award and require you to repay funds. Your award package may need to be recalculated and you may even owe a repayment.

Additional Aid and Other Resources Form

Your award was made on the assumption that you will be enrolled as a full time student in eligible coursework, are not a defaulted borrower of any student loan funds, nor owe a repayment to any student financial aid program and are maintaining satisfactory academic progress. If you are not enrolled fulltime, the Office of Student Affairs must recalculate your eligibility. Your financial aid will be canceled if you are in default, owe a repayment to a student financial aid program or are not meeting satisfactory academic progress guidelines.

All students who borrower a Direct Loan must complete loan entrance counseling prior to the release of loan funds. You will be required to complete an entrance for each type of loan you accept (Subsidized/Unsubsidized) but will only have to complete this step once during your tenure at BSOM. Our office will be notified when the session has been successfully completed.  

Direct Loan Counseling Interview

William D. Ford Direct Loan Program
Direct Loans are low-interest loans for students to help pay for the cost of their education. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education rather than a bank or other financial institution. To apply for a Direct Loan, a medical student is required to a FAFSA, master promissory note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling. The current interest rate is 6.8% 

BSOM students may borrow loans to cover their total Cost of Attendance minus any  other financial assistance they receive.  The aggregate loan limits (maximum outstanding total subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loan debt for medical students is $224,000.  This amount includes loans from undergraduate and graduate study. No more than $65,500 of this aggregate amount may be in the form of subsidized loans. You will however, be charged interest on the unsubsidized portion of the Federal Stafford Loan while you are enrolled in school. Repayment of Federal Stafford Loans begins six months after you graduate or cease to be enrolled at least half time.

Health, Science & Mathematics Loan Program
Due to the repeal of this program by the 2011 North Carolina General Assembly, the 2011-12 academic year was the last for which new recipients were selected. Current recipients will be renewed if eligible; however, beginning with the 2012-13 academic year, new applicants must apply for funding through the Forgivable Education Loans for Service Program (FELS). FELS program details are available at CFNC.org/FELS.

Various scholarship funds are administered by ECU Medical & Health Sciences Foundation.  Awards are based on financial need and/or academic potential as ascertained by the Scholarship Committee.  Preference is given to those students who meet the mission of the school and the criteria outlined by each scholarship description. A scholarship committee member will email students directly when the scholarship application becomes available each year.

Listed below is a sampling of scholarships available;

Bunting Scholarship-Award made to a student in good academic standing and financial need at the BSOM.

Class of 1986 Endowment Fund-Award is made to a student who demonstrates outstanding character and financial need at the BSOM.

Class of 1995 Endowment Fund-Award is made to a graduating M4 student who has demonstrated academic excellence and a commitment to community service.

Goforth Scholarship-Award made to a student interested in primary care and willingness to serve Eastern N.C. First priority is given to students from Wilson, Greene, or Lenoir counties, and advantage given to children of BSOM alumni.

Gray - Truslow Scholarship-Award made to a student with financial need. Preference given to students from Rockingham or Forsyth Counties .

Health Sciences  Golf Classic Scholarship -Award made to M3 and M4 students enrolled at the BSOM.

MacDonald Scholarship-Award made to a student in good academic standing and financial need at the BSOM. Military background preferred.

McLean Scholarship-Award made to a deserving M4 student with financial need, scholastic achievement and interest in primary care.

Meyers Scholarship-Award made to a student in good academic standing and financial need at the BSOM.

Physical Medicine Rehab Scholarship-Award made to a rising M3 who expresses interest in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Puente Scholarship-Award made to a student in good academic standing and financial need at the BSOM.

Samia Scholarship-Award made to a student in good academic standing with financial need.

Slivon Scholarship-Award made to a student with a background in nursing and interest in primary care.

Thompson Memorial Scholarship-Preference given to students from Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin Counties .

Trevathan Scholarship-Award made to any deserving M1 student.

The following scholarships require a nomination from a BSOM official. The nomination process takes place during a students admission interview process.Only students who have been accepted for admission will be considered due to the fact this these awards are renewable for up to 4 years. Nominated students will be contacted by BSOM before matriculation.
 
Board of Governors Medical Scholarship/Loan - 
Due to the repeal of this program by the 2011 North Carolina General Assembly, the 2011-12 academic year was the last for which new recipients were selected. Current recipients will be renewed if eligible; however, beginning with the 2012-13 academic year, new applicants must apply for funding through the Forgivable Education Loans for Service Program (FELS). FELS program details are available at CFNC.org/FELS.

Brody Scholarship – A full scholarship is awarded to 4 incoming medical students each year.  Preference is given to eastern North Carolina residents who demonstrate outstanding academic performance, leadership potential and a sincere interest in primary care medicine.  Upon admittance, the Scholarship Committee recommends students to the Brody Foundation Board of Directors for consideration.  If a student maintains acceptable academic progress, these funds are renewable for up to four years of medical school. For more information please click on the link www.ecu.edu/brodyscholars

The North Carolina Legislative Grant for Minority Medical Students – awarded to an under represented minority that meets mission of school.

Southern Medical Association Scholarship - based on scholastic achievement and financial need, these funds are awarded to one to three third year students by the Medical Student Scholarship Fund of the Southern Medical Association.  Recipients are selected by the ECU Scholarship Committee.

Scholarships that require a separate application.

Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students - is need based funding available to full time health professions students that come from educationally and/or financially disadvantaged backgrounds. Students are required to submit parental income information in order to apply. An announcement will be made when applications are available through BSOM.

National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program - provides tuition, educational expenses and a monthly stipend on an annual basis to students who will serve not less than one year for every year of scholarship support, or two years whichever is greater.  Students must be full time and maintaining satisfactory academic progress. To request an application, call 1-800-221-9393.

Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Programs - Information is available on Navy, Air Force, Army, and North Carolina National Guard Scholarships in the Office of Student Affairs.  These scholarships provide educational expenses and a monthly stipend.  Students who apply and are accepted accrue active military duty on a year-to-year basis, with a minimum of two years service obligation.  There are also grants available during residency.

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), more parents and students will qualify over the next two years for a tax credit, the American Opportunity Credit, to pay for college expenses. The new credit modifies the existing Hope Credit for tax years 2009 and 2010, making the Hope Credit available to a broader range of taxpayers, including many with higher incomes and those who owe no tax. It also adds required course materials to the list of qualifying expenses and allows the credit to be claimed for four post-secondary education years instead of two. Many of those eligible will qualify for the maximum annual credit of $2,500 per student. The full credit is available to individuals whose modified adjusted gross income is $80,000 or less, or $160,000 or less for married couples filing a joint return. The credit is phased out for taxpayers with incomes above these levels. These income limits are higher than under the existing Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits.

For more information, visit: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=205674,00.html

Below is a list of questions related to the Direct Loan Program that should help students understand how this program works.

What is the difference between Direct Loans and the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP)?
The primary difference between Direct Loans and the Federal Family Education Loan Program, (Stafford Loan) is the source of funding.  While FFELP loans are funded through a variety of banks and private lending institutions, Direct Loan funds are borrowed directly from the federal government.  Additionally, with Direct Loans borrowers have a single contact, the Direct Loan Servicing Center, for everything related to the repayment of the loan.

Are there any differences in interest rates and fees between the two programs?
Interest rates for Federal Unsubsidized and Subsidized Loans are the same in both programs-currently 6.8%

Are the terms and condition of the Direct Loans the same as the Federal Stafford Loans?
The grace period, deferments, repayment periods, and alternate repayment plans are identical with FFELP loans.

What will happen to the prior existing loans that I have borrowed with other lenders?  Will I have to repay two different lenders now?
Any loan(s) you borrowed from another lender either here at ECU or at another institution will be maintained by the lender/servicer with whom you signed your original MPN.  Your Direct Loan will be serviced by the Department of Education.  You will receive correspondence and payment information from both the Department of Education and your prior lender/servicer. Once you graduate or choose not to attend school at least half time, you will have the option to combine your existing federal education loans into one new loan with the Federal Consolidation Loan Program.  With a consolidation loan, you will have only one payment to make each month and one lender. 

Where can I get more information?
http://www2.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/DirectLoan/index.html

This policy has been developed to ensure that the Student Financial Aid Program meets or exceeds requirements set forth by federal regulations governing academic standards of progress for financial aid eligibility.  This policy applies to those students receiving Title IV financial aid.  Federal guidelines require that a policy be determined that is both quantitative (time frame) and qualitative (grades) for financial assistance.  A student in “good academic standing” is one who has officially matriculated and is presently pursuing a program of study defined by the University as leading to the satisfactory completion of that program.  In addition, the student must be proceeding at a pace which, if continued, will lead to the awarding of a medical degree. 

In order to receive federal and other types of financial aid, students must comply with the Brody School of Medicine’s Satisfactory Academic Progress guidelines and financial aid guidelines.  

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress:
You must maintain satisfactory academic progress in your program of study in order to receive financial aid.  There will be four Student Review and Promotion Committees representing each of four curriculum years (M-1, M-2, M-3 and M-4).  Each committee will review student performance during the given academic year, and make recommendations concerning students' academic development to the Dean. Each committee is responsible for recommending student promotion to a subsequent year. Details are available at: https://www.ecu.edu/cs-dhs/bsomstudentaffairs/MD_StudentGrading.cfm

Requirements:
Students must be admitted and enrolled as MD degree seeking students on at least a half-time basis as defined by the Dean for Student Affairs and meet the University’s standards for continued enrollment in the MD degree program as specified in the BSOM Survival Manual Chapter 10 (specified in the Student Grading and Promotions Policy as adopted by the School of Medicine faculty, September 23, 1980 and revised March 1999).

The normal timeframe for completion of required coursework for the MD degree is four academic years.  Due to academic or personal difficulties, a student may require additional time.  General requirements are that full time medical students may not exceed the 150% time limitation (6 years) to complete the program for which he or she is enrolled.  If a student is registered full time, he/she should complete the first two years of the curriculum by the end of the third academic year after matriculation. 

A student registering for less than full-time enrollment is calculated based upon a proportion of the actual registered hours since the time of first enrollment.  If a student is re-mediating and repeating coursework, he/she must pass and complete all the re-mediated courses that semester(s). 

The period of time for which a student is registered to pursue a full-time non-credit research fellowship shall be excluded from the maximum time frame in which an individual student will be expected to complete the program. 

Leave of Absence:
A student may be granted a leave of absence for a variety of reasons.  The period of leave for which the student has been approved may be excluded from the maximum time frame in which an individual student will be expected to complete the program.  Financial aid however may be affected by a leave of absence.  Consult your financial aid director if you are thinking about a leave of absence. 

Transfers:
For transfer students, the total years for completion of a degree include time spent at the previous institution.  Hours are applied toward the degree objective at this institution.

Course of Action:
If a student is not making academic progress, the Director of Financial Aid and or Promotions and Review committee will review the student’s record and recommend a course of action which may consists of one of the following;

Financial Aid Probation:  In the event that a student fails to meet any of the above criteria in a particular semester, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Probation. A student in this category may receive financial aid for the upcoming semester although at the end of that semester the student must have completed the designated number of requirements. A student who has not completed the designated number of requirements by the end of the probationary semester will be suspended from the receipt of further financial aid.

Financial Aid Suspension: Normally consists of one semester of an academic year in which you will not receive Title IV federal financial aid because of failure to meet the minimum Good Standing requirement during the Financial Aid Probation period.  You may appeal with evidence of extenuating circumstances.

Appeal of Financial Aid Probation/Suspension:
Students have the right to appeal their Financial Aid Probation/Suspension status. Federal regulations provide limited flexibility based upon appropriate documentation of circumstances. In the case where a student can demonstrate mitigating circumstances which contributed toward his/her inability to achieve satisfactory academic performance (e.g. illness, or death in the family),  the Director of Financial Aid may reinstate the student's financial aid eligibility. Eligibility for subsequent terms would be determined following an evaluation of performance for the reinstated enrollment term.  If necessary, a copy of the letter of appeal may be forwarded to the ad hoc appeals committee for review. All appeal decisions are final.  The student will be notified in writing of the results. If financial aid is suspended, no further aid is disbursed until the student meets requirements.

Conditions of Reinstatement:
A student shall be reinstated for financial aid eligibility at such time as he or she successfully completes sufficient hours and has a sufficient GPA to meet the minimum eligibility requirements as set forth in this policy.  It is the student’s responsibility to present evidence to the Financial Aid Office at the time he/she has met minimum requirements for reinstatement. The student will observe all normal application procedures and deadlines for financial aid consideration.

Financial Aid Appeal Procedure:
A detailed appeal letter must be delivered to the Financial Aid Office for review by the Director of Financial Aid. In making determination to reinstate or not reinstate the student's eligibility for further financial aid, the Director will assess the factors that contributed to the student not complying with the minimum academic requirements. The Financial Aid Director will inform the student of this decision, in writing. If the appeal is granted an agreement for continued financial aid will be included, outlining the conditions of the continuation.

Brody School of Medicine

Office of Student Affairs/Financial Aid

Room 2S-20

Brody Medical Science Bldg

Greenville, NC 27834

Phone: 252-744-2278

Fax: 252-744-3250

Email: lancasterk@ecu.edu

HELP OUR STUDENTS TRAVEL

The HOST Program is designed to connect BSOM medical students with alumni volunteers during the residency interview process. Coordinated by the Office of Student Affairs, HOST will grow the national network of BSOM medical alumni while reducing medical students’ expenses as they travel around the country for residency interviews.  

As an alumni volunteer, you are asked to provide a student or students with a free place to stay during the interview process. You are also in an optimal situation to share your personal residency training experience and insight into the medical center and community in which they are interviewing.

In addition to what you will offer as a volunteer alumni host, this program promises you much in return. You will learn firsthand about the Brody School of Medicine today, the new curriculum, and changes on campus. Also, you will have the opportunity to renew your personal sense of pride as it is reflected in these outstanding students who have met the challenges of a highly demanding medical program.

As an alumni volunteer during the residency placement process, you will be instrumental in welcoming new BSOM residents who will be relocating to your community.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact the HOST Program Coordinator Kelly Lancaster, at (252) 744-2278 or e-mail her at lancasterk@ecu.edu.

Simply fill out the appropriate form below.

• Alumni Response Form
• Student Registration Form

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times can I use the HOST program? We ask that you limit the use of the program to 5 times so that we are able to accommodate as many students as possible. If you have more than 5 requests, we will work with you to try to accommodate, but will do so with other students in mind.

Is my spouse able to stay with me? Many hosts welcome spouses.

Can I stay with a host for more than one day? That is up to the HOST volunteer. We expect that some alumni host students for a week while the student completed several interviews in the region. Other alumni may only host students for 3 days just so the student could get a better travel rate on a Saturday stay over flight. We will work with our alumni volunteers to best suit your travel needs.

Who are the HOST volunteers? All hosts are BSOM alumni - they have attended the Brody School of Medicine formally know as the East Carolina University School of Medicine Medicine for their undergraduate and/or graduate medical education, associated medical sciences or graduate basic sciences.

Where are HOSTs available? There are potentially hosts anywhere you want to travel. If you have a question of whether or not there is a host in an area that you are interested in, please call our office at 744-2278.

What can I expect from the host? We simply ask the alumni hosts to provide overnight accommodations in their home for you, although many hosts go above and beyond by offering transportation to and from interviews and airports, home cooked meals, guided tours of the area and invaluable professional insight on the regional medical community and your prospective medical center.

How do I sign up to utilize the HOST program? Fill out the Student Registration Form to let us know when and where you will be traveling. We ask that you let us know about your travels as soon as possible so we can have as much time as we can to contact and find a host for you.

Do I contact the alumni host? After you have completed the on-line Student Registration Form, we will contact the alumni host and secure their interest and availability. We will then provide you with the alumnus' information. It is then up to you to contact your host and share the details of your travel and interview plans and arrange your stay. We ask that you contact them as soon as we give you their information so they know that you are definitely staying with them. If plans change, you can always contact them again.

How far in advance should I contact my host? Contact your host as soon as we give you their information. If you are matched early, contact your host right away and again when it gets closer to the date of your travel. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!

What do I do if my travel or interview plans change or get canceled? Contact your host as soon as possible and let them know about the change in plans. Also, please inform Kelly Lancaster, HOST Program Coordinator, of the change as soon as you can.

Do I need to do anything after returning from using the HOST program? Yes, we ask that you send a thank you note to the alumnus who hosted your stay.

Who do I contact if I have questions about the HOST program? Please contact Kelly Lancaster at lancasterk@ecu.edu or at 744-2278.

Independent Verification Worksheet

Parent Low or Now Income Verification Form

Request to Consider Additional Cost Form (pending)

Request to Consider Additional Costs for Study Abroad (International) rotations

Additional Aid & Other Resources Form

Student Citizenship Information Form

IRS Form 4506T-EZ