QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

QUESTION: "Unless I can get financial aid, I can't afford to attend UTMB. Should I apply for admission even though I may not have enough money to attend if I am accepted?"

ANSWER: Yes. If you have chosen a career in the health professions, don't let financial considerations keep you from pursuing that goal! More than 90 percent of UTMB students who apply for financial assistance receive aid. If you can show a need for assistance (based upon your assets and/or your parents' ability to contribute financially toward your expenses), we can assist you in finding sources of funds.

QUESTION: "If my parents can't contribute toward my educational expenses, can I make it on my own with financial aid only?"

ANSWER: If an analysis verifies that your parents cannot contribute toward your expenses, you will be eligible for most forms of assistance and, with good financial management of resources, you should be able to make it depending solely on financial aid.

QUESTION: "When do I apply for financial aid?"

ANSWER: When you are accepted for admission into a program at UTMB, you become eligible to apply.

QUESTION: "Should I be applying for grants and/or scholarships or investigating sources of loans myself?"

ANSWER: Yes. Enrollment Services will award University funds and federal funds to meet your need; however, you should investigate external scholarship and grant programs for which you may be eligible.

QUESTION: "Can I expect to get grants and scholarships or will I probably have to borrow through a long-term loan?"

ANSWER: Although there are grants and scholarships available, they are limited. Professional education, for the most part, must be financed through long-term loans which must be repaid after graduation.

QUESTION: "What if I get into financial trouble during a semester and can't make it. Will I have to drop out of school?"

ANSWER: No. Enrollment Services will work with you to explore financial avenues available to you at any time during the academic year.

QUESTION: "How do I determine how much money I will need to complete my program-paying for tuition and fees, books, housing, food, transportation and other major expenses?"

ANSWER: You will have to do some careful estimating. The cost of tuition, fees, books, supplies and other expenses associated with your program will be provided to you in our application packet. Your living expenses will be determined by your choices: whether you live at home, share expenses with a roommate, maintain a car, pay for your own health insurance, brown-bag or eat in restaurants. It would be to your advantage to plan a conservative life-style while attending school. All students are encouraged to reduce or eliminate financial commitments (car notes, credit card payments, medical bills, etc.) before enrolling.

QUESTION: "Are there employment opportunities at UTMB?"

ANSWER: Yes. If you establish "Financial Need," you are eligible to work under the Federal Work-Study Program which will be awarded to you as part of your Financial Aid Package.

QUESTION: "What is Financial Need?"

ANSWER: Financial Need is the difference between the Cost of Attendance and the expected Family Contribution (as calculated by the FAFSA).

QUESTION: "What is Family Contribution?"

ANSWER: A verifiable analysis of your household income and assets, plus parents' income and assets if you are dependent, determines the amount of expected Family Contribution.

QUESTION: "Do I have to give my parent's information if I am independent?"

ANSWER: If you would like us to calculate your eligibility for TITLE VII Health Professions Programs and/or institutional funds, parental information is required.  You must submit your parents' federal income tax return (include W-2s, all schedules, and attachments).  You and your parents must also complete, sign and return these forms to Enrollment Services.

Dependent Verification Worksheet

QUESTION: "If I am eligible for veterans benefits, will this affect my financial aid eligibility?"

ANSWER: Funds available to you from the Veterans Administration will be considered part of your assets or resources. You should report these benefits to your advisor.
NOTE: This same answer applies to students who receive assistance through ROTC programs and Reservists who have education benefits.

QUESTION: Do I need to submit an income tax return?"

ANSWER: Yes, if you are selected for "verification." Federal regulations may also require additional verification documents in order to complete and process your application. A Financial Aid Checklist is provided for you to ensure that all necessary documents have been turned in to Enrollment Services.

QUESTION: "As an out-of-state (non-resident) student, will I be eligible for financial aid in Texas?"

ANSWER: Yes. You should be eligible for all forms of financial aid as most programs are federally funded or regulated. You will even be eligible for a percentage of some state-funded programs.

QUESTION: "Do you have to be a U.S. citizen to receive financial aid?"

ANSWER: You must be either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident to be eligible for financial aid. You must furnish verification of your status by providing either a copy of your birth certificate or Alien Registration Card, or by showing your original Naturalization Certificate to The Office of Enrollment Services.

QUESTION: "How can I keep track of my loans after I graduate?"

ANSWER: During your last semester you will have an Exit Interview in Enrollment Services. At that time we will provide you with most of the information you need about amounts and schedules of loan repayments.

QUESTION: " How will UTMB communicate with me?"

ANSWER: By email, if you provide an email address.  At your permanent address, if you do not have an email address.