Dollar$ & $ense: May 2024

May 2024

News to Know

Ongoing 2024-2025 FAFSA Delays

There continues to be delays with schools receiving completed 2024-2025 FAFSA submissions. SFS will review student eligibility for Federal student loans once we receive FAFSA data and will continue to update students on changes.

We appreciate students’ understanding while Federal Student Aid (FSA) resolves the issue. Students who have submitted a FAFSA should continue to receive email updates from FSA.

We encourage summer loan borrowers to complete a Summer 2024 PLUS Loan to reduce possible delays with living expense refunds.

Students who have started or will begin the 24-25 academic year soon will receive communication from SFS regarding alternative funding opportunities.


BUMC Housing Fair

Thursday, May 23, 12-2pm

Hosted virtually by BU Off-Campus Services

  • Meet with realtors and property managers
  • Explore housing options
  • Off-campus housing experts will answer questions
  • For more information, contact BUMC Housing Resources; ohr@bu.edu, bumc.bu.ede/ohr/fair

BUMC’s 2024 Housing Guide, built with reviews from current BUMC students, is now available! Find more info on neighborhoods, best values, and landlord/property ratings.


2023-2024 Cost of Attendance Increase Appeal Deadlines

If you have borrowed up to the cost of attendance (COA) and are in need of additional loan funds for education expenses, please carefully review the COA appeal section of the Student Financial Services Website. To have your appeal reviewed by the financial aid committee, please submit the COA Appeal form and any supporting documentation. Supporting documentation may include a full copy of your lease and one month of utility bills. All submitted documentation must be organized and dated during your enrollment period.

Deadline to submit COA request for 2023-2024 academic year:

  • GMS and SPH: April 5, 2024
  • Medical Students
    • M2 and M3: April 1, 2024
    • M1 and M4: April 5, 2024
  • GSDM:
    • DMD3 and DMD4: April 5, 2024
    • Postdoctoral: May 15, 2024
    • All Other Populations: June 1, 2024

Federal Student Loan Exit Counseling for Graduating Students

Graduating Federal Direct Loan borrowers must complete the Federal Student Loan Exit Counseling. This can be done electronically at StudentAid.gov.

Students who received institutional loans will receive more information on completing exit counseling through ECSI.


SPH & GMS Students – Enrolled in Summer?

Looking to borrow loans for the summer semester?


BU Medical Campus Housing Guide 2024

BUMC’s 2024 Housing Guide, built with reviews from current BUMC students, is now available! Find more info on neighborhoods, best values, and landlord/property ratings

Visit our Housing Resources website for housing information, handling roommates and landlords, and living in Boston without ruining the budget


Financial Literacy Spring Series Hosted by Dr. Ned Palmer & HMS Financial Aid Office

These sessions are on Zoom and will provide practical knowledge you can begin to implement as a student. Academically, Dr. Palmer is in the global health faculty at Boston Children’s Hospital, as well as Harvard Medical School in the Center for Bioethics.

May 7 @ 7p.m. – Common Financial Mistakes Physicians Make & How to Avoid Them

May 14 @ 7p.m. – Student Loan Management Through Medical School

May 21 @ 7 p.m. – Rent or Buy? Housing for Medical Students and Residents

May 28 @ 7p.m. – Planning your Financial Transition to Residency


Scholarship Opportunities 

Our Scholarship page includes BU and BUMC specific scholarships, school-specific scholarships, various service-based scholarships such as the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and Military Health Professions Scholarship Programs, and scholarship search sites.


Questions?

Speak with SFS!

We have Zoom virtual office hours available to all BUMC students throughout the week. Stop by Student Financial Services in suite B-401 in the Robinson Building where you can meet with an SFS staff member in-person Monday through Friday.  You can also reach us by phone at 617-358-6550.

AccessLex Financial Education Resources

AccessLex is a non-profit that offers free financial education resources to help students and recent grads manage their finances and loan repayment. Their webinar, The Road to Zero: A Strategic Approach to Student Loan Repayment, provides all the info needed to feel confident about loan repayment. You can also set up free 1:1 meetings with their Accredited Financial Counselors to discuss your specific financial situation and goals.

AAMC First Tools & Webinars for Medical Students

AAMC offers events created specifically to provide medical students with financial resources for your time during and after medical school.

This month’s webinar, Learn About Our Resident Section of the “Guide to Money Management and Student Loans”, will review AAMC’s Student Loan guide and how to succeed financially while in residency. The webinar is at 2 PM EST on January 26. Register for the webinar here.