Medical Students
The majority of medical students will now attend Johns Hopkins for free, and many will receive support for living expenses.
Beginning in the fall of 2024, Johns Hopkins will offer full cost-of-attendance financial aid packages (including tuition, living expenses and fees) for medical students whose families earn less than $175,000. Additionally, families earning less than $300,000 will receive scholarships that cover the cost of tuition. View additional eligibility requirements.
Below are FAQs for you and your family about this exciting program.
Overview of New Financial Aid Program
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The Johns Hopkins University received a transformational gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies that will make the school of medicine free for many medical students. Beginning in the fall of 2024, Johns Hopkins will offer full cost-of-attendance financial aid packages (including tuition, living expenses and fees) for medical students whose families earn less than $175,000. Students from families earning less than $300,000 will receive scholarships that cover the cost of tuition. Additional eligibility requirements are outlined below.
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This program goes into effect immediately; eligible new and returning medical students are receiving updated financial aid packages that reflect the gift’s impact.
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As with all Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine financial aid, incoming and continuing medical students who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, undocumented or DACA are eligible for the program. M.D./Ph.D. and international medical students have separate funding sources to support their medical education at Johns Hopkins, and are not covered by this program. If extenuating circumstances arise, a student completing the M.D. portion of their dual degree can contact the Office of Financial Aid at [email protected] to explore additional funding possibilities.
To determine financial need, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for federal funding and the CSS Profile application for institutional scholarship funding (parental information required). Additional information on how to apply is available on the Office of Financial Aid website.
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Beginning in the fall of 2024, Johns Hopkins will offer free tuition for students pursuing a medical degree who come from families earning less than $300,000 per year and free tuition plus coverage of living expenses and fees for students who come from families earning less than $175,000 per year. (Families with incomes above $300,000 may qualify for other federal and institutional need-based aid outside of this program.)
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At the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, we consider a family’s total income and typical assets. For more information, please refer to the eligibility requirements on the financial aid website.
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The full cost-of-attendance award includes all direct costs and indirect costs as outlined on the school of medicine financial aid cost-of-attendance webpage. Direct costs (billed directly by Johns Hopkins) include tuition, health/dental insurance, student activity fee, imaging fee, matriculation fee and health services fee. Indirect costs (not billed by Johns Hopkins) include books, supplies, living expenses, transportation, personal expenses and the United States Medical Licensing Exam.
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The portion of the aid package for direct costs will be applied to charges on student accounts. The portion of the aid package for indirect costs will be paid out to students in two equal installments — half in the fall and half in the spring. The funds will be directly deposited into the students’ personal bank accounts. The amount is based on the estimated cost of living in Baltimore City, as determined by surveys of current students.
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Recipients of a full tuition award will not be responsible for tuition, and should see in their award letter the exact amount of tuition that is covered.
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Students will be responsible for their health insurance, student activity fees, imaging fees and indirect costs associated with housing, books, supplies and transportation, as outlined on the financial aid cost-of-attendance webpage.
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Scholarships and grants that cover tuition, fees and required course materials (books and supplies) are not taxable. However, any scholarship support that exceeds these amounts in a given calendar year, such as those used for living expenses, transportation or personal expenses, is considered taxable income by the IRS. It’s important for students to keep records of their expenses and consult with a tax adviser to understand their specific tax obligations.
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We expect most families will qualify for a consistent level of support each year. If family income decreases, the student may see an increase in support. Only in rare situations, in which there is an extraordinary increase in family resources, might the level of support decrease.
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No, students will not have to reapply every year because awards will be automatically renewed and adjusted to reflect the new cost of attendance and tuition fees. Families (parents, current students and spouses) will need to submit tax returns annually to the Office of Financial Aid.
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Yes, award amounts will change to reflect changes to the tuition rate and the total cost of attendance. The award tiers provide full tuition and full cost of attendance; as these costs increase, a student’s award would also increase to reflect the new amount. Any current student who is not in these two award brackets but was eligible for need-based aid will see an increase in their award to reflect any change in the increase to tuition or other fees, to offset rising costs and to avoid the value of their financial aid award diminishing over time.
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The Financial Aid Office has already completed a review of student financial circumstances in light of this new gift, and is sending updated award letters on July 8, 2024. Students who qualify for additional financial aid funding will see these award changes reflected in their new award letters. Students will see the new award reflected in their bill for the fall semester no later than Monday, July 15.
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No. This new gift has been made available for academic year 2024–25 and for future academic years only. All prior expenses students incurred with their Johns Hopkins medical education are the student’s responsibility.
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No, a student who is unable to complete the program would not need to pay the award back. However, students who withdraw in the middle of the semester from the school of medicine are subject to the tuition refund policy.
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The Office of Financial Aid is sending out updated award notifications to all incoming and returning students on July 8, 2024. Students will be able to log in to NetPartner and see their new award.
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The Office of Financial Aid and the Office of Student Enrollment and Account Management are working together to ensure updated financial aid bills are completed and distributed by Friday, July 19. Charges and anticipated aid credits will be visible in SIS as early as Monday, July 15.
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The Office of Financial Aid has already completed a review of students’ financial aid application materials to determine student award eligibility. Students who qualify for the new scholarship funding will receive updated award notices notifying them of the additional scholarship funding.
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The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine commitment to competitive need-based aid awards is an important cornerstone of ensuring all students receive an affordable medical education. If a student’s award did not change, it is because a review of the student’s financial aid documents indicated that their need-based aid award is at a sufficient level of funding consistent with the financial information in the submitted application materials. Students who feel that the funding support they received is not reflective of their current financial circumstances can complete a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for federal funding and CSS Profile application for institutional scholarship funding (parental information required).
Additional information on how to apply is available on the Office of Financial Aid website. The Office of Financial Aid will review newly submitted information to determine if a student qualifies for an award change. Students who submit a new application, or an appeal, will receive a decision within 14 business days (about two weeks) of our receipt of all completed documentation.
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Students who feel that the level of funding support they received is not reflective of their current financial circumstances should contact the Office of Financial Aid via email at [email protected]. You may need to complete a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for federal funding and CSS Profile application for institutional scholarship funding (parental information required). Students will receive a decision regarding their appeal within 14 business days (about two weeks) of our receipt of all completed documentation.
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Family financial circumstances can change. To ensure a consistent level of need-based support to students, the school of medicine financial aid team will require families (parents, current students and spouses) to submit annual tax returns. To get started, students should contact the Office of Financial Aid via email at [email protected]. Students who submit a new application, or an appeal, will receive a decision within 14 business days (about two weeks) of our receipt of all completed documentation.
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Students who submit a new application, or an appeal, will receive a decision within 14 business days (about two weeks) of our receipt of all completed documentation.
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Yes. Students who want to apply for aid for the first time should visit the Office of Financial Aid website to learn about the application process. To determine financial need, students need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for federal funding and the CSS Profile application for institutional scholarship funding (parental information required).
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International medical students have separate funding sources to support their medical education at Johns Hopkins, and are not covered by this additional program.
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Students in the M.D./Ph.D. program have specific funding sources through the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine to support dual degree education that already meet the cost of attendance. If extenuating circumstances arise, a student completing the M.D. portion of their dual degree can contact the Office of Financial Aid at [email protected] to explore additional funding possibilities.
The Office of Financial Aid can answer any questions you have about the new program. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid via email at [email protected].
Jump to a Section
- The Process
- What Determines Federal Fund Eligibility?
- What Determines Scholarship Eligibility?
- How is the Award Packaged Determined?
- Checklist
- Financial Aid for International Students
The Process
All federal and institutional awards administered through the Financial Aid Office are based on demonstrated financial need. To determine financial need, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for federal funding and the CSS Profile application for institutional scholarship funding (parental information required). The 2025-2026 CSS Profile submission deadline is November 15, 2024. It is the intent of the Financial Aid Office to award these funds in an equitable and consistent manner. Students are encouraged to complete the application process in a timely manner to ensure early determination of funding eligibility.
SOM FAFSA School Code: E00235
SOM CSS Profile School Code: 5346
Award Package
Students who qualify are awarded both scholarship and loan as part of their award package. Students are eligible to request additional loan funds if needed.
Financial Aid Application Instructions: Medical Student (PDF)
What Determines Federal Fund Eligibility?
Students are considered independent for federal student aid, which includes student loans and work-study. The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine participates in the Direct Loan William D. Ford Unsubsidized student loan program, the Federal Direct Grad Plus Program and the Federal Work-study Program. Only the income of the student and/ or spouse is considered in determining financial need. You must be a United States citizen or permanent resident to apply for Federal Financial Aid.
Students must follow this process each year:
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). SOM FAFSA School Code: E00235
- Provide federal verification documentation if selected for federal verification
- Meet priority award date of March 1, 2025. For Maryland residents only: The Maryland Higher Education Commission has extended the Maryland financial aid deadline to submit the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to June 1, 2025. However, students are encouraged to submit the FAFSA by the priority deadline of March 1, 2025 to receive notification of eligibility by April 15, 2025.
- Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for Financial Aid
What Determines Scholarship Eligibility?
Although students are considered independent for the federal aid programs, parental information is required for scholarship consideration regardless of age or marital status.
New students must follow this process once in their first year:
- Complete the CSS Profile Application. SOM CSS PROFILE School Code: 5346
- Provide prior year parental federal tax returns and W2 forms submitted through Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC).
- Parent non-tax filing form (if applicable)
- Complete Sibling/Spouse Enrollment Verification (if applicable)
- Meet CSS Profile submission deadline of November 15, 2024
The Medicine program assesses both income and assets using information from the CSS Profile. Significant family assets relative to income level will be factored into the eligibility determination for need-based aid.
Students who do not complete the CSS Profile application but have completed the FAFSA will be considered for federal and institutional loan eligibility only.
How is the Award Package Determined?
First, student and family contributions are calculated based on completion of the FAFSA and CSS Profile applications. Each student is then assigned a Cost of Attendance (COA) budget. The calculated family contribution is subtracted from the budget to determine the student’s “unmet need. The Financial Aid Office will then award the student, through a combination of federal and institutional program funds, to meet the unmet financial need.
Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends, Hopkins can turn to more than 250 individual scholarship and loan funds in preparing packages that help students eager to attend The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine turn their dream into a reality.
Prospective Student
You must be a United States citizen or permanent resident to apply for federal financial aid at The School of Medicine. Please refer to the application/instructions for the academic year for which you are applying for financial aid.
Students may complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile applications beginning October 1.
Note: Information from the parent and student federal tax returns is required to complete the CSS Profile application.
In addition to completing the FAFSA and CSS Profile application to determine aid eligibility, first time students are required to complete an Online Loan Entrance Counseling session and a Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note before any federal loan funds are disbursed.
Maryland State residents may complete the Maryland Graduate/Professional Scholarship Application for consideration of this scholarship award offered through the Financial Aid Office on behalf of the State Scholarship Administration.
Use the checklist below for completing all requirements:
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- CSS Profile Application
- Parent federal tax returns and W2 forms (print student’s name on copies of the parental tax returns and W2 forms and submit through IDOC).
- Parent Non-Tax Filing Form (if applicable)
- Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note
- Sibling/Spouse Enrollment Verification (if applicable)
- Graduate/Professional Scholarship Application (Maryland Residents Only)
Continuing Student
You must be a United States citizen, permanent resident or other eligible non-citizen to apply for federal financial aid at The School of Medicine. Students must apply for federal financial aid each year.
Students may complete the FAFSA applications beginning October 1.
Applications for consideration of the Maryland Graduate/Professional Scholarship are submitted to the Financial Aid Office on behalf of the State Scholarship Administration. For institutional financial aid, families (parents, current students, and spouses) will need to submit tax returns annually to the Office of Financial Aid.
Medical Students: International Students
Financial aid funding is available to all current and newly admitted international medical students. Financial aid assistance will be provided in the form of institutional scholarship. Students may also apply for private loan financing through ELM Select.
To assist medical students from outside the United States to study at Johns Hopkins, Johns Hopkins Medicine International has provided funding to create the JHM International Scholarship Program. Its aim is to help nurture the next generation of health care leaders, in addition to help reduce the financial burden that international students may face when trying to attain medical education funding.