Spending and savings
This year we encourage you to spend time focusing on tracking your spending, increasing your savings, and finding ways to reduce the amount of debt needed. Even a small amount of debt reduction can go a long way. Below you will find information related to the financial aid application process and updated financial literacy information that is specific to your M2 year. This year, you will be provided with an optional opportunity to learn about debt strategies and strategies for the future.
Steps to apply for aid for your second year (M2)
Students who are seeking any form of financial aid for their M2 year need to complete the following documents.
- Complete the 2022/2023 Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at studentaid.gov. The FAFSA opens on October 1, 2021 in preparation for Fall 2022.
Once you have received your financial aid package, please review and complete the following documents if you are accepting loans:
- Apply for Graduate PLUS Loan online at studentaid.gov (be sure to select to apply as a graduate/professional student)
If you have never borrowed federal loans before, you will also need to complete the following documents as well.
- Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) for Graduate/Professional Students online at studentaid.gov
- Complete two master promissory notes: one for the Direct Unsubsidized Loan and one for the Direct PLUS Loan
- Direct Loan Entrance Counseling online at studentaid.gov
Types of aid available
Details about the different forms of aid that may be offered to you each year can be found here.
Payment Due Dates
Payment due dates can be found online through the Student Business Office. Please keep in mind that medical student financial aid does not always closely align to the beginning of each semester. It is important to refer to the disbursement date information provided by the Office of Student Financial Aid to know when your individual financial aid is to be disbursed. Our office will work with the Student Business Office to waive any late fees that may be incurred as a result of the disbursements not aligning with the start of the terms(s).
Cost of attendance/budgets worksheets
As you think about your financial aid and budgeting over the year, please refer to the cost of attendance numbers provided below as a guide to support you with budgeting decisions this year. It is important to note, that your M2 year budget looks slightly different then your first year did. For this year, you can see your full financial aid for the fall and spring terms of your M2 year as well as the first six months of your M3 year which starts in the summer.
If you are currently enrolled in your M2 year, more than likely you have already received your financial aid package. In the event you have not or have not applied for financial aid yet, please use the following estimated financial aid as a guide to better understanding the funding that may be available to you.
A comprehensive downloadable copy of the M2 cost of attendance and estimated financial aid package is provided here.
Application Review/Budget Adjustments
Students who are experiencing unusual financial circumstances are able to petition for an additional review of their application for institutional funding. As a reminder, you can read more about institutional aid here and the application requirements here. To request a petition for review, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid for assistance in terms of what information will be needed. Each student’s situation is different and we prefer to advise you individually on what information we will need. Generally, depending on your individual circumstances, documents such as tax information, parental support status, or court documents may be requested.
Emergency aid
On occasion, unexpected events occur that cause financial hardship. Rush University Office of Student Financial Aid may be able to offer you some additional funding in the form of emergency aid to assist you during a difficult period. Expenses that are directly related to COVID-19 may be considered under this policy as well. You can submit a confidential application online here and provide supporting documentation of your expenses. Our office will review your request and notify you of the status of your request.
Rights and Responsibilities
As a financial aid recipient you have certain rights and responsibilities that are associated with receiving aid from Rush University. Please review the following rights and responsibility sections very carefully. A PDF copy of the Student Rights and Responsibilities can be found here.
Financial literacy
- Topic: Student Individual Appointment
- Goal: review your current student aid debt and discuss strategies with your financial aid counselor to manage your debt for the next two years.
- Timeline: schedule an optional 1:1 appointment with your counselor before the spring semester starts.
- Resources: review your current debt to be able to have an effective conversation with your counselor. Book your appointment online here in September. Review all your federal loans on your Federal Student Aid dashboard online at studentaid.gov.
- Topic: Financial Wellness Event
- Goal: Join Rush Wellness for the November Wellness Workshop and learn about the relationship between finances and your overall wellness. You will learn about how to define financial wellness, become aware of some resources to help you further develop an awareness of your current situation, and explore pathways to improve financial wellness.
- Timeline: November 16, 2021
- Resources: Optional attendance at the virtual session but the event will be recorded for viewing later.