ryoung79

Absolutely! Glad to help.

I know this one! I asked the financial aid department this exact question during their zoom office hours as I did not want to miss applying after I received my financial aid package. What I was told was that in the early July time frame, they will send an email with the online application for GradPlus Loans for those who wish to apply. It is submitted online via the financial aid department at that time so we can't do it until the loan application opens. It has to be done within so many weeks/months of school beginning both so they have accurate numbers/amounts for how much can be given via this loan based on estimate of school cost (factoring in any other loan package you receive) plus they want the most accurate credit report as this loan does run a credit check. I plan to check in with the financial aid office around May/June, anyway! Hope that is helpful!

Thank you! I am enrolled! Looking forward to beginning in August.

I was accepted into the AC-AGNP track, if that is helpful to know!

Yes! This was the first time I actually made it to a waiting room to speak to someone (and they came) and not just waiting on a host to show up. And he was very nice and informative, I think very overwhelmed but doing the best they can. Good luck!

I just finished my chat with financial aid zoom office hours. Very nice gentleman who answered my questions. I stayed in the waiting room until my turn came up. I did ask the question that someone on here previously wanted to know about how much institutional aid is given to students, what percentage of students receive awards, and what the average amount is. He really couldn't answer that with any specific numbers as it varies widely year to year and is based on each individual need. He encourages you to simply complete the FAFSA and apply for aid so you can have options available to you. Hope that helps!

OK! Will try again. ? I was there a little before 10am so I thought by 10:20 that no one was coming. I will definitely give it another go! Thank you!

Unfortunately, no one showed up to the 10am financial aid office hour zoom. I waited for 20 minutes and nothing....Sorry! I tried!!

Financial Aid Zoom office hours Tuesday and Thursday Morning Meeting link: 10-11 AM EST https://umassmed.zoom.us/j/99437303091?pwd=ZktUYkJ0NFkwR2VxR2wwVVBoTk1VQT09 Password: 762531 Tuesday and Thursday Afternoon Meeting link: 2-4 PM EST https://umassmed.zoom.us/j/95312921990?pwd=UjhkUmlJTVBZTVpsU2RLVjh4YlJnZz09 Password: 188235 We will see if anyone is there!

If this is helpful to know, both my husband and I work full time (and we file taxes jointly so it shows as a combined income) and I still applied for financial aid for myself. After I was accepted to the program, I received my Financial aid letter very quickly after submitting my FAFSA. I think it can be absolutely worthwhile to do that FAFSA and see what comes back. There are options for loans that are not based on an income limit, such as Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans which are based on other factors and just simply allow you to take the loan through your school at a maximum allowed amount based on certain factors (the program leads to a degree, you are enrolled so many hours, etc). Hope that is helpful!

I have had the same issue trying to reach the financial aid office. I have questions re: applying for the GradPlus Loan and have had no response by email over weeks and no one showed up to the new student zoom. I will try the office hours next week on Tues or Thurs! I am glad it is not just me!

Hi! I have been accepted into the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Track for GEP to DNP beginning Fall 2021! I am looking forward to connecting with everyone starting next August and any current or past students with words of advice/wisdom to share. I am so glad to find this thread! Does anyone have a sense of what the schedule tends to look like Mon-Fri? Thanks!