Attending a full-time post-baccalaureate premedical program is expensive and likely to be followed by several years of medical school expenses. A financial aid adviser will work with you to help you plan and manage the expenses associated with attending the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program.
Financial Aid Options
Although scholarship support is not currently available from Johns Hopkins University, qualified students may be eligible to receive Federal Direct Loans for 12 months. Many students entering the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program may apply for federal aid as a graduate student – no parental information required.
Scheduled Academic Year Loans
A scheduled academic year for Johns Hopkins University is two semesters—fall and spring. This means that a student may not exceed their annual loan limit in any two semesters. Students may start in the Summer, which will result in financial aid distributed across Summer, Fall, and Spring terms.
For independent students, the annual loan limits are up to $20,500 in an unsubsidized loan. Supplemental borrowing options are also available to cover the total cost of attendance, including living expenses
Federal Direct Student Loans are available for this non-degree program because it is a preparatory program for entrance to medical school. However, federal regulations limit students in preparatory programs to one year of federal student aid. If your program should extend beyond one academic year, you will need to consider alternative funding, such as private loans. Students in the post-baccalaureate program are considered graduate students because the program is a non-degree, preparatory program. Therefore, students in this program are eligible to apply for the Graduate PLUS federal loan program.
Note: Post-Bac students don’t qualify for institutional grant funding or scholarships.
Students who have a valid FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on file and are enrolled at least half-time during the summer semester will receive a financial aid offer that reflects the full annual eligibility* for Federal Direct Student Loans, as follows:
| Student Type | Summer | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent (Summer Start) | $6834 Unsubsidized Loan | $6833 Unsubsidized Loan | $6833 Unsubsidized Loan |
| Independent (Fall Start) | n/a | $10,250 Unsubsidized Loan | $10,250 Unsubsidized Loan |
Student borrowers may view their loan history through The U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid site.
Students may adjust the aid offer through the financial aid portal located within SIS Self-Service.
How to Apply For Financial Aid
- Submit a FAFSA online. Our School Code is E00473. Make sure you use the right code because we are unable to retrieve your MPN and EC if they are sent to another Hopkins division. FAFSA data typically takes 3-5 business days to reach JHU.
- If you were selected for verification by the federal processor, refer to your Hopkins SIS account to review your financial aid To-Do List for any additional documents that may be required.
Read additional information about applying for federal financial aid.
Please note: Post Bac Pre-Med students are charged a one-time $200 matriculation fee. Average Federal Direct loan fees are added to the student budget when a student accepts a Federal Direct loan.
Requirements to Retain Federal Aid
To continue receiving federal financial aid, you must
- enroll at least half-time and
- meet the criteria outlined in the policy for Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Read more about the requirements to retain federal aid.
Tuition, Fees, and Cost of Attendance
Please refer to the Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program Tuition and Fees page for further information regarding tuition, fees, and other cost of attendance budget expenses.
Paying your Bill
All bills are available to view in SIS Self-Service in July for the fall semester and December for the spring semester. Information about payment options can be found on the Office of Student Enrollment and Account Management’s website.
When will I receive my loan funds?
Funds from the Federal Direct Loan Program are credited directly to your student account ten days prior to the start of classes (if you have returned all the required documents). Private loan funds are usually disbursed at the beginning of each term. You should notify the Financial Aid Office regarding the disbursement dates for your private loans.
Common Questions
Is the post-bac program considered a graduate program?
Yes, for financial aid purposes, this is a graduate program. You must check that box on the FAFSA.
When should I turn in my financial aid application?
You should complete your aid application at least two months before you need the funds. You must submit the FAFSA. If you are selected for federal verification, a copy of your IRS Tax Return Transcript, along with any requested federal verification worksheets, may be required.
Have I missed the deadline?
There are no hard deadlines, but you must allow a minimum of two months from submitting your aid application until your loan is disbursed to your account. In the meantime, you are responsible for paying any tuition charges not covered by other sources. If your charges have been paid, you can receive a refund when the loan is credited to your account. Be sure to allow adequate time for your loans to be processed so you don’t run out of money.
Is additional funding available?
Students may apply for private/alternative loans after exhausting eligibility for all Federal Direct Student Loan programs. Learn more about the difference between federal and private loans and what to consider when researching private loans.
The University does not endorse or recommend any lender, nor does the University have any financial interest in any lending institution. Students and their families can select the educational loan provider of their choice. Note: Post-Bac students don’t qualify for institutional grant funding or scholarships.