Office of the Vice Chancellor and DeanAnnouncements
Office closed Wednesdays for 2008-09 application processing
The School of Medicine financial aid office is closed on Wednesdays to all foot and phone traffic so that staff can focus on preparing students' 2008-09 financial aid awards. Thank you to everyone for your understanding and cooperation!
2008-09 financial aid applications
Financial aid applications are being accepted for funding during the 2008-09 academic year (July 2008 through June 2009). The FAFSA filing deadline to receive priority consideration for state and university funding was March 2. However students may file the FAFSA at anytime during the academic year. File the FAFSA online and respond immediately to requests from the financial aid office for additional information.
Special hotel rates available for USMLE Clinical Skills (CS) exams
The Association of American Medical Colleges has negotiated special rates for CS examinees at hotels within close proximity of each of the five exam sites. Examinees can make online reservations (www.aamc.org/meetings, then click on "Clinical Exam Hotel Rates") for safe, convenient and relatively inexpensive stays associated with their Step 2 CS exam at Sheraton hotels in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. The five hotels and their daily rates are as follows:
- Atlanta (Sheraton Gateway Atlanta Airport): $119*
- Chicago (Sheraton Gateway Suites Chicago O'Hare): $139*
- Houston (Sheraton North Houston Hotel at George Bush Intercontinental Airport): $99*
- Los Angeles (Sheraton Gateway Hotel Los Angeles Airport): $135*
- Philadelphia (Sheraton University City): $149*
*All rates are "last-room available." As long as the hotel still has standard rooms available, this rate is available to Step 2 CS examinees.
For help with questions and/or registration difficulties, contact Kirsten Olean at kolean@aamc.org.
NOTE from the financial aid office: The fourth-year transportation budget has been augmented by an expected round-trip flight to Los Angeles for this exam. We did not increase the basic living budget element for lodging costs related to this exam because not every student will exceed the standard living allowance ($807 per month for rent, basic phone and utilities). In addition, many students will likely stay with family or friends when taking this exam.
Federal Direct (Stafford) Loan interest rates: July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008
Federal Direct Loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2007 retain a fixed interest rate of 6.8 percent in accordance with the Higher Education Reconciliation Act (HERA).