Financial Aid Information

The University of North Texas Health Science Center offers scholarship, grant and loan programs to assist students in meeting the costs of financing their education. Although financial aid is available for eligible students, it should be considered a supplement to a student's own financial resources.

The Office of Financial Aid is dedicated to quality customer service and the prompt delivery of aid program funds. Counselors are available to assist students in the application process to ensure that students receive the information needed to make the best decisions regarding their financial aid options. While financial aid is subject to strict federal and state regulations, the staff strives to help students navigate this complex path in a professional and courteous manner.

Student Eligibility

To be considered for financial assistance, a student must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Must be admitted to an eligible degree program
• Must be enrolled at least half-time student for most programs
• Register with the Selective Service if required to do so
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress
• Certify that he/she does not owe a refund from an over-award on any grant or loan, is not in default on any federal student loan or has made satisfactory arrangements to repay any defaulted loan, and has not borrowed in excess of the loan limits on any federal student aid programs
• Use all funds received as financial aid for educational purposes only

Applying for Financial Aid

Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) electronically at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov to be considered for financial aid. Returning applicants can complete a renewal application with their FAFSA pin number. Students must complete a new FAFSA annually to be considered for financial aid.  Please allow adequate time to complete the FAFSA. Read and answer all questions carefully and accurately. The additional time spent will enhance and ensure a successful application process.

The Office of Financial Aid does not have an application deadline. However, it is highly recommended that applications be submitted as early as possible as some funding is limited. Applications should be received no later than April 1 to facilitate the delivery of aid funds prior to payment deadlines. Students are ultimately responsible for the payment of their tuition and fee charges by stated deadlines and will receive a reimbursement upon receipt of any eligible financial aid funds.

Students selected for verification will be required make corrections to their FAFSA or provide additional documentation. Processing times may increase if selected for verification.

Students may schedule an appointment with a financial aid counselor to discuss eligibility requirements, verification, problems, budgeting of resources, or loan applications by calling (817) 735-2505 or (800) 346-8266.

The Office of Financial Aid is located in the Division of Student Affairs on the second floor of the Educational and Administration building (EAD-247).

Student Financial Aid Counseling

Individual student counseling is available and encouraged. Counselors are available to discuss budgeting and types of financial aid awards. Students receiving federal loans are required to complete electronic loan entrance counseling before the release of the first disbursement of their first loan.

Student Budgets

Student budgets are developed within federal and state guidelines. These budgets are evaluated annually and may or may not change depending on requirements by federal and state law. Budget items reflect an estimated average for the student only (does not include spouse or other dependents). Student budgets are based on the following expenses and may vary by college and/or degree program:

• Tuition and fees
• Books and supplies
• Room and board
• Transportation
• Personal or miscellaneous expenses
• Health insurance

Special circumstances or allowances which could constitute an adjustment to a student's budget may be considered for the following:

• Students with dependents requiring dependent care and meeting specific requirements
• Students with disabilities or requiring special accommodations
• Students with unusual or extenuating educationally-related expenses

Students with special circumstances should contact the Office of Financial Aid promptly and may be required to supply additional information for consideration of such requests. Regardless of the source, the total financial aid received by a student cannot exceed his/her cost of attendance budget.

Financial Aid Programs

Students who complete the FAFSA and meet eligibility requirements will be considered for federal, state, and/or institutional financial aid. In addition to financial criteria, most aid programs require the recipient meet academic standards in order to maintain eligibility. Some programs have limited funds, so early completion of the FAFSA is encouraged. The following are programs for which eligible students may apply:

• Texas Public Education Grant
• UNTHSC Grant
• Texas College Work Study
• Federal College Work Study
• Federal Perkins Loan
• Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students
• Loan for Disadvantaged Students
• Primary Care Loan
• Direct Lending Federal Stafford Subsidized Loan (if applicable)
• Direct Lending Federal Stafford Unsubsidized Loan
• Graduate PLUS Loan
• Private/Alternative Loan
• Various Institutional Loan Programs

We encourage all students to apply early since funding for some financial aid programs is limited. Students may apply through the Health Science Center's Office of Financial Aid for various state, institutional and private scholarship programs. Students may also apply directly to private foundations for scholarship opportunities. Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information or questions they might have regarding financial aid and scholarships. For questions related to financial benefits associated with military service, students should contact their local recruiter.

Financial aid programs are governed by policies and practices of external governmental agencies and are subject to change without notice.

Credit Eligibility

Due to demanding course schedules, holding a part-time job may not be possible. This creates a greater dependence on financial aid to cover living expenses. Some students discover a need to borrow additional funds beyond what the Stafford programs will allow. The source of these additional funds is usually either a Direct Lending Grad PLUS loan or a private/ alternative educational loan.

Credit approval is required to receive a Direct Lending Grad Plus loan or a private/alternative educational loan. A good credit history is important to ensure that any student is able to take full advantage of all funding options.

Insurance for Alternative Loans

Unlike Stafford loans, most alternative loans do not include a death/disability clause. This means that most alternative loans are not forgiven in the event of death or total disability. We recommend that any student planning to borrow money from an alternative loan program consider securing adequate insurance coverage for the loan.

Immigration Documents and Budget

When applying for a new visa document, international students may need to demonstrate sufficient financial support. This will usually be the case if:

• The student is requesting an I-20 upon admission;
• The student is asking for an extension of his/her stay;
• There is a change in funding;
• The student is asking for documentation for the first time for immediate family members and/or;
• Documents in the student's file are more than 12 months old.

The amount of financial support required will vary depending upon the number of dependents the student is supporting. Consult with the International Student Advisor for further information.

Scholarships

The University of North Texas Health Science Center offers several competitive scholarships. Awards are open for competition on departmental/degree plan basis. Students should contact the Scholarship Coordinator in the Office of Financial Aid for subject specific scholarships.

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of a student's academic qualifications. Generally, scholarships range in value from $500 to $5,000. Under current state law, out-of-state and international students who are recipients of university competitive academic scholarships in the amount of $1,000 or more qualify for in-state tuition rate.

The General Academic Scholarship application is located on the student portal at http://my.hsc.unt.edu. It is open to new and current students with a valid UNTHSC student ID number. The current year application deadline is March 5^th.

Additional scholarship opportunities are listed on the Office of Financial Aid department web site at http://www.hsc.unt.edu/departments/financialaid

The university administers many scholarships with applicants being selected based on meeting established criteria and subject to available funding. Listed below are several scholarships currently administered by UNTHSC:

A.E. Brooks Scholarship

Alcon Scholarship in Memory of Joseph DeFaller

Beverly & Stanley Weiss Scholarship

D.M. Richards Endowed Scholarship

DO/PhD Student Scholarship Stipend

Dr. C.W. & J. Spellman Endowed Scholarship

Dallas Southwest Osteopathic Physicians, Inc. Joseph L. LaManna D.O. Scholarship

Division of Student Affairs Scholarship

Dunlap Family Scholarship

Elizabeth Pelsma Levy Scholarship Fund

Elizabeth Reeves Henning Scholarship

Frederick L. Hill, DO Scholarship for Excellence in Primary Care Physicians in Texas

GSBS Endowed Scholarship

GSBS/Yorio 1st Year Scholarship

James O. Royder Endowed Scholarship

Jeremiah G. Mills 1st year Rural Medicine Scholarship

Jeremiah G. Mills 2nd year Rural Medicine Scholarship

Jeremiah G. Mills 3rd year Rural Medicine Scholarship

John F. Gaugl Memorial Fund

Larry L. Bunnell, DO Scholarship

Makasha Colonvega Memorial Scholarship

Moorman Family Scholarship

Osteopathic Health Foundation Scholarship

PA Endowed Scholarship

Physician Assistant Student Association Scholarship (PASA)

Rachel Dauphin Memorial Fund

Ray & Edna Stokes Scholarship

Rural Medicine Scholarship

SPH Alumni Society Scholarship

SPH Dean's Award for Continuing Students

SPH Endowed Scholarship

Street & Williams Endowment Scholarship

Student Affairs Scholarship

TCOM Alumni Association Recognition of Achievement Scholarship

TCOM Alumni Association Scholarship

TCOM Dean's Meritorious Achievement Scholarship

TCOM Memorial Scholarship

Texas Osteopathic Medical Association Scholarship

UNTHSC Hackers Scholarship Fund

W.R. & Constance Jenkins Scholarship

Wayne & Norma Lee Stockseth Scholarship

Weldon Bond, Jr. D.O. Memorial Scholarship

Satisfactory Academic Progress

To maintain eligibility for consideration of all forms of financial aid, students must meet satisfactory academic progress.  Federal satisfactory academic progress standards require a minimum average grade of an overall “C” or grade point average of 2.0 and 75% completion of attempted hours. Students must complete their course of study within 150% of the required hours for that course of study. 

Academic progress requirements which exceed federal standards are also set by each academic program. Students must meet federal and academic program satisfactory academic progress requirements to be eligible for financial aid.  Academic progress is monitored by the Registrar’s Office in conjunction with individual school personnel and is reviewed by the Office of Financial Aid on a term by term basis.  Students not maintaining satisfactory academic progress will be placed accordingly:

1. Financial Aid Warning - eligible for financial aid for one payment term
2. Financial Aid Probation - may be eligible for financial aid for one payment term (requires appeal letter from student to Office of Financial Aid for approval) 
3. Academic Plan - may be eligible for financial aid each payment term if successfully completes set requirements as developed by the individual program

Withdrawing from the University

If you officially withdraw, take a leave of absence, cease attendance, or are administratively withdrawn from UNT Health Science Center, federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to calculate the amount of Federal Title IV funds (aid) “earned” during the term from which you withdrew. Factors considered in this federally mandated calculation include: number of days in the payment period, date of withdrawal/number of calendar days the student attends before total withdrawal, the total amount of Title IV aid eligibility, tuition and fee charges, and class attendance.

The percentage of time spent in attendance is the percentage of federal funds the student has “earned”.  Other funds received are “unearned”.

After the Office of Financial Aid applies the federally mandated calculation, “unearned” Federal Title IV funds (aid) will be returned to the programs from which the money was paid to you in the following order:

Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loans

Subsidized Direct Stafford Loans

Federal Perkins Loans

Graduate PLUS Loans

Other Title IV Programs

Other Federal, State, Private or Institutional Student Aid

It is possible you will owe a repayment of “unearned” financial aid funds to the UNT Health Science Center if you cease attendance prior to the sixty percent (60%) completion point of any payment period for which you received financial aid funds. The completion point is based on the total number of class days in a payment period. If it is determined that you owe a repayment of funds, you will receive notification from the Office of Financial Aid. You can also check your balance owed through the myHSC student portal. Owing a balance to UNT Health Science Center may impact ability to enroll in classes.

This page last modified April 23, 2012

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