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Student Financial Aid Application Process

Jump to the application steps for:

Undergraduate Student Steps to Apply

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, RN-BSN and Health Care Studies programs are considered undergraduate programs. All other programs at MUSC are considered graduate programs.

The Office of Student Financial Aid processes Federal Direct Student Loans, Pell and SEOG Grants, Work Study and State Scholarships (i.e. LIFE and Palmetto Fellows, SC Need Based Grant) only.

Students working on their first bachelor’s degree may be eligible for Federal Direct Student Loans, Federal Grants, Work Study, and State Scholarships.

Students working on a second bachelor’s degree are limited to Federal Direct Student Loans and Work Study.

All merit-based aid, such as scholarships, is awarded by individual academic departments. Contact your college or department for more information about these programs.

To Apply for Student Loans:

  1. Submit the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), using MUSC's school code 003438 and your FSA ID. If you have a Bachelor’s degree already, you will answer:     
    • On the “Degree/Certificate” question, select “2nd Bachelor’s Degree.”
    • On the “Current Grade Level” question, select “3rd Year Junior”.
    • When asked whether you are working on a Master’s or Doctorate program during 2024-2025, select “NO”.
    • Parental information may be required for FAFSA if you are under age 24, unmarried with no dependents.
  2. Review your cost of attendance to determine how much financial aid you will need for the academic year. You can request maximum or a lesser amount. It is beneficial to borrow conservatively and only request what is needed. The FAFSA will determine if you are a Dependent or Independent Student.
  3. Complete the Federal Loan Request Form.  You may apply for Direct Stafford Loan only on this form. The Direct Graduate PLUS loan is not available to undergraduate students. The maximum amount for Dependent Students is $7,500.00 and Independent Students $12,500.00 per school year.
  4. Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) for Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Stafford. The loan agreement affirms that you will repay the loan and interest back, and outlines the terms and conditions of the loan. Continuing students do not have to submit a new MPN each year.
  5. Complete the Entrance Counseling for Undergraduate students. This online session will explain your loan obligation and your rights and responsibilities as a student loan borrower. All new students must submit Entrance Counseling regardless of whether they’ve completed it at a prior institution.
  6. Students in the Nursing program can apply for the Nursing Loan by submitting the Health and Human Services Programs application. A completed HHS Master Promissory Note (MPN) is required each year.
  7. If you have a gap in financing, consider applying for a Private Student Loan or your parent may apply for a Parent PLUS loan (Dependent Students only).

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Graduate Student Steps to Apply

(Master’s and Doctoral Level Programs)

The Office of Student Financial Aid only processes student loans for graduate level students.

All merit-based aid such as scholarships, grants and graduate research/teaching assistantships are awarded by individual academic departments. Contact your college or department direct for more information about these programs.

To Apply for Student Loans:

  1. Submit the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), using MUSC's school code 003438 and your FSA ID.
  2. Review your cost of attendance to determine how much financial aid you will need for the academic year. You can request maximum or a lesser amount. Since your financial aid is all through loans, it is beneficial to borrow conservatively and only request what is needed.
  3. When completing the Federal Loan Request Form, you should first apply for the maximum in Direct Stafford Loan (lower interest rate) before requesting the Direct Grad PLUS Loan.
  4. Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) for Direct Unsubsidized (Stafford) and Direct Graduate PLUS loans. You must complete a separate Master Promissory Note (MPN) for each loan. The loan agreement affirms that you will repay the loan and interest back and outlines the terms and conditions of the loan. Continuing students do not have to submit a new MPN each year.
  5. Complete the Entrance Counseling for Graduate/Professional Students. All new students must submit Entrance Counseling regardless of whether they’ve completed it at a prior institution. Continuing students do not have to submit new Entrance Counseling each year. *Students denied the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan based on adverse credit history can appeal or apply for the loan with an endorser and will also be required to complete PLUS Credit Counseling.
  6. Students in the Nursing, Dental and Pharmacy Programs can apply for the Nursing Loan or Health Professions Loan by submitting the Health and Human Services Programs application. Parental tax information is required for Dental and Pharmacy Students. A completed HHS Master Promissory Note (MPN) is required each year.
 

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