How to Apply for Financial Aid

FAFSA changes

• Going forward, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be available on October 1. In the past, the FAFSA opened on January 1 and the FAFSA used the previous year’s tax data. Now, students will file the FAFSA using tax information from two years prior using income information imported electronically from the IRS, using their Data Retrieval Tool (DRT).

October

• Step 1: Request a FSA ID from the Department of Education here, so you can electronically sign your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  *Only complete this step if you don’t already have an FSA ID.
• Step 2: Complete your 2022 – 2023 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and use the IRS data retrieval process after October 1, 2021, listing: CUNY School of Medicine Title IV institution code: 002688.
• Step 3: Student Aid Report – The Department of Education notifies you that your application was processed and provides you with a Student Aid Report (SAR). Review the SAR carefully for accuracy, and make sure our school code 002688 is listed. There will be a message on your SAR if additional information is needed to complete the process.

March/April

• Step 4: The School of Medicine will send estimated award letters to all future students who completed a FAFSA after October 1, 2021. Actual award notifications will be made available after matriculation.

After Matriculation

• Step 5: Set up your CUNYfirst Account.

After your Seat Deposit is received, you will be provided access to your financial aid account using CUNYfirst. You can learn more about CUNYfirst and Student Self Service here. 

In CUNYfirst you can check your “To-Do List Items” to see if any additional documentation is required to finalize your award package.

• • In CUNYfirst, click the link which provides information on how to view, accept, and decline your awards.
  • If you don’t see an award notification, check the “To-Do List” for instructions.
  • If action is required, respond promptly to avoid packaging and disbursement delays.
  • Accept or decline all financial aid offered and review aid against semester charges.
  • Review your billing statement to make sure that it reflects all of the Tuition and Fee charges for your current semester enrollment status.

• Step 6: Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note

If you accepted student loans, you might be required to complete on-line Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at studentaid.gov. Check your “To-Do List Items” to see if any action is required.

• Step 7: Sign-up for Direct Deposit  – In order to expedite your loan funds; students are strongly encouraged to sign up for Direct Deposit through CUNYfirst.