General Information
Due to the number of applicants to the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, we are unable to answer individual questions regarding financial aid unless you have accepted an offer to attend the School.
Detailed information regarding the financial aid process may be found at: http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/ and in the Financing a Penn Veterinary Medicine Brochure.
PLEASE NOTE: We regret that the University cannot inform you of your eligibility for Perkins and/or Health Profession Loans, should you apply, until you have accepted our offer to attend our School, completed the Student Data Form and all additional forms, and returned your $500.00 deposit.If you apply for Perkins and/or Health Profession Loans and are denied, you may apply for the Federal Direct GradPlus loan program, or any other private/alternative loan of your choice, up to your educational budget.
Other helpful links include:
- U.S. Department of Education
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
There are three types of loans for which you may apply. You may apply for these loans as late as July 1, 2013, although we strongly encourage you to apply as soon as you have accepted the School’s offer for a place in the Class of 2017.
** Federal Direct Loans ($40,500 each year). Each student is guaranteed to receive this funding by completing the FAFSA on line and acceptance into veterinary school.You will receive $40,500 each year, during the four years of your veterinary education.
** Perkins and/or Health Profession Loans (approximately $3,000 - $5,000 each year). Students must have very high need and must submit parent and student tax information. Eligibility is determined by your parent’s assets (income, property, savings), and your assets. Regardless of your age or martial status, if you wish to apply for a Perkins or a Health Profession Loan, you MUST complete the Penn Financial Aid Application Form and provide your parent’s tax information. These forms can be found on the Student Financial Services website at www.sfs.upenn.edu. A copy is also attached for your information.
**Federal Direct GradPlus Loans may be used if your Educational Budget cannot be met by the above loans.
All students MUST submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form between January 1, 2013 and May 1, 2013. You may do this via the website at: www.fafsa.ed.gov. The College Code for the University of Pennsylvania is 003378. Your Grade Level is graduate or professional eligibility. A FAFSA must be completed and filed every year in order to receive Federal Stafford Loans.
If you are applying ONLY for a Federal Direct Loan or Federal Direct GradPlus Loan, you do not need to complete any other form nor provide parent information when you complete your FAFSA. Simply complete the FAFSA form on line; students applying for a Federal Direct Loans or Federal Direct GradPlus Loans are eligible for up to $40,500 each academic year, for a period of four years.
After completion of your FAFSA and your acceptance into the Class of 2017, you will receive further instructions from the University of Pennsylvania’s Office of Student Financial Services and the School advising you of the next steps regarding your financial aid.
If, in addition to your Federal Direct and Federal Direct GradPlus Loans, you wish to have your eligibility determined for Federal Perkins Loan and/or Health Profession Loans, you must return the Penn Financial Aid Application form, with student and parent tax return and W2 and, if applicable, prospective spouse or spouse tax return and W2. For the 2013-2014 academic year, a prospective spouse is someone you are planning to marry before July, 2014. IF YOU WISH TO APPLY FOR PERKINS AND/OR HEALTH PROFESSION LOANS, YOU MUST COMPLETE THE PENN FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION FORMAND SUPPLY PARENT AND SPOUSE INFORMATION REGARDLESS OF AGE OR MARITAL STATUS. These forms are available on the Student Financial Services website at www.sfs.upenn.edu.
Again, every student will receive a Federal Direct Loan ($40,500) each year, for four years, upon completion of the FAFSA. THE FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN IS GUARANTEED TO EACH STUDENT, so you may be assured of receiving this funding upon your acceptance to veterinary school.
We recommend that you read the University of Pennsylvania Student Financial Services website at http://www.sfs.upenn.edu for online options available to help you decrease paperwork and track your loan history. The necessary paperwork takes a minimum of eight weeks; therefore, we recommend you begin the process as soon as you have accepted a place in the Class of 2017. School based scholarship funding is very limited and you should plan on financing your education primarily through loans.
This all seems a bit over-whelming for you now, and we understand your concern regarding paying for your education. When you accept a seat at our School as a member of the Class of 2017, please be assured that we will be available to help you with the process at each step.
Please address all questions and concerns directly to:
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
Office of Student and Curricular Affairs and Financial Aid
Ashra P. Markowitz, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Financial Aid Officer
3800 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 215.898.3525 E-Mail: ashra@vet.upenn.edu
CLASS OF 2017 FINANCIAL AID CHECK-LIST
Step 1: Between January 1, 2013 – and June 1, 2013: (You may apply after this date, but it is *not* recommended as your loans may be delayed)
Apply for your FAFSA:www.fafsa.ed.gov
The FAFSA must be completed each year ~ without this, you are ineligible for any type of Government Student Financial Aid. This gives you eligibility for the Direct and the GradPlus Loan
Step 2: Determine if you wish to apply for Perkins and Health Profession Loans. These loans are for students with very high need and range from $3,000 - $5,000 each.
(General rule: If your parents have a combined income of less than $100,000 annually, you should apply).
If you do wish to apply for the Perkins and Health Profession Loans, go to http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/finaid-checklists/checklists-grad-vet-2013-2014.htm and Click on Forms and Applications. Download the Penn Graduate Student Financial Aid Application form. Provide all necessary tax documents and W2’s as well as the Cover Sheet and Tax I.D./Non-tax Filer Form. These completed documents are faxed directly to Student Financial Services at 215.573.5428.
Step 3: Determine if you wish to apply for a GRADPlus Loan. These loans may be used in addition to your Direct Loan, and any other loans for which you are eligible, to help you meet the entire educational budget. You may apply for the GRADPlus Loans at any time during your veterinary education; there is no specific time limit by which you must apply.
Step 4: In May 2013, you will receive additional information and instructions to apply for your Direct Loan ($40,500) and your GradPlus Loan; the University will inform those students who applied for Perkins/Health Professional Loans of their eligibility in July of 2013.
2013 - 2014 Educational Budgets