All students enrolled at the UNLV School of Dental Medicine may be eligible for federal and institutional financial aid. The majority of financial assistance available for dental students is through federal unsubsidized loan programs -- dental students are not eligible for subsidized loan or grants. Some school-based funds are available, but limited. Students who meet the qualifying requirements may also apply for educational loans through private lending institutions. International students are not eligible for federal funding, but may apply for and receive funds through alternative sources such as private educational loans and institutional funds.
Financial aid may be used to supplement a student’s financial resources, but its primary purpose is to cover education costs such as tuition, fees, books and supplies. Students are encouraged to borrow only the amount that is necessary.
Dental students are also encouraged to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible.
In order to receive an unsubsidized loan, a student must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The unsubsidized loan is not based on need, so eligibility is not determined by a student’s income. When a student receives an unsubsidized loan, the interest begins to accrue as soon as the loan is disbursed. Students have the option to pay interest while in school, or can wait until they are no longer enrolled.
In addition to the FAFSA, students will need to complete Loan Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note.
- Entrance counseling provides information regarding the terms and conditions of the loan and the student’s rights and responsibilities. Entrance counseling also explains what a loan is, how interest works, options for repayment, and how to avoid delinquency and default. Once the Entrance counseling is complete, a record will be sent to the school that the student has selected and the student will be able to receive the loan funds. Entrance counseling must be completed in one session; it cannot be saved and returned to later.
- The Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document in which a student promises to repay all loan related funds – including the loan itself, any accrued interest, and any fees associated with the loan. The MPN explains the terms and conditions of the loan(s).
- The Master Promissory Note can be used for more than one loan and is good for up to 10 years.
Dental students are eligible to receive up to $47,167 in unsubsidized loans per academic year. Interest rates for unsubsidized loans will vary. The origination fee for unsubsidized loans, which will be paid before the loan disburses, will also vary.
A student may request loans for the entire academic year or for selected semesters. Loan funds will be disbursed to the student account no sooner than 10 days before the beginning of the semester.
In order to receive a Graduate PLUS loan, a student must complete and submit the Graduate PLUS loan application available on the www.studentaid.gov website. The Graduate PLUS loan is a credit-based loan available through the US Department of Education. When a student receives a Graduate PLUS loan, the interest begins to accrue as soon as the loan is disbursed. Students have the option to pay interest while in school, or can wait until they are no longer enrolled.
In addition to the Graduate PLUS loan application, students will need to complete Loan Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note.
- Entrance counseling provides information regarding the terms and conditions of the loan and the student’s rights and responsibilities. Entrance counseling also explains what a loan is, how interest works, options for repayment, and how to avoid delinquency and default. Once the Entrance counseling is complete, a record will be sent to the school that the student has selected and she or he will be able to receive the loan funds. Entrance counseling must be completed in one session; it cannot be saved and returned to later.
- The Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document in which a student promises to repay all loan related funds – including the loan itself, any accrued interest, and any fees associated with the loan. The MPN explains the terms and conditions of the loan(s). The Master Promissory Note can be used for more than one loan and is good for up to 10 years.
The Graduate PLUS loan does not have a maximum amount limit per academic year, and can be used to meet a student’s cost of attendance, minus any other funding or awards she or he may be receiving. Interest rates for the unsubsidized loan will vary. The origination fee for the unsubsidized loan, which will be paid before the loan disburses, will also vary.
A student may request loans for the entire academic year or for selected semesters. Loan funds will be disbursed to the student account no sooner than 10 days before the beginning of the semester.
The Graduate PLUS loan application is typically available for the upcoming academic year mid-April (for example – The PLUS loan application for the 2024-2025 academic year, which starts in fall 2024, will be available in April 2024).
Federal Loans
Contact
UNLV School of Dental Medicine
unlvdentsch@unv.edu