Financial Aid

Contact

financialaid@osteo.wvsom.edu

304-647-6231

Financial Aid Toolkit

Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements

Our basic eligibility requirements are that you must:

  • demonstrate financial need for need-based federal student aid programs;
  • be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen;
  • have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau);
  • be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program;
  • maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school;
  • maintain satisfactory academic progress according to WVSOM's published standards.
  • provide consent and approval to have your federal tax information transferred directly into your 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, if you’re applying for aid for July 1, of the current year applying, to June 30, of the following year;
  • sign the certification statement on the FAFSA form stating that you’re not in default on a federal student loan, you do not owe money on a federal student grant, and you’ll only use federal student aid for educational purposes
  • show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education.

Free scholarship searches are available at FastWEB and Sallie Mae

Financial Aid Code of Conduct

This code of conduct applies to all WVSOM divisions and to all Board of Governors' members, employees, officers and agents of the school, including without limitation individuals who are employed in the financial aid office or who otherwise have responsibilities with respect to education loans.

View the Financial Aid Code of Conduct

Medical Student Borrower Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the new federal loan borrowing cap for medical students? 

Starting July 1, 2026, new federal loan caps will apply: Annual cap for professional students: $50,000. Total cap for professional loans: $200,000. Lifetime federal loan cap: $257,500.

Q. What is the difference between undergraduate, graduate, and professional students? 

Undergraduate students are working toward a bachelor’s degree (like a BA or BS). This is usually the first level of college after high school. Graduate students have already earned a bachelor’s degree and are now pursuing an advanced degree, such as a master’s or PhD. Professional students are also graduate-level but are specifically enrolled in programs that lead to a licensed profession, such as medicine, law, pharmacy, or dentistry. 

Q. Does the lifetime cap of $257,500 include undergraduate debt? 

Yes. The $257,500 lifetime federal loan cap includes all federal student loan borrowing, which encompasses both undergraduate and graduate/professional debt.

Q. When do these caps go into effect? 

The new loan caps go into effect on July 1, 2026.

Q. I have already borrowed federal loans for my medical degree. How do these caps impact me?

If you borrowed before July 1, 2026, you can continue to borrow under the existing loan limits for 3 additional years or until your expected degree completion date, whichever comes first. The new caps apply to only new borrowers or those who begin borrowing on or after July 1, 2026.

Q. What is happening to the Grad PLUS loan program?

The Grad PLUS Loan Program will be eliminated for new borrowers starting July 1, 2026. 

Q. I’ve already taken out a Grad PLUS loan for my medical degree. How does Grad PLUS elimination affect me?

If you received a Grad PLUS loan before July 1, 2026, you will: Retain eligibility under existing terms. Be allowed to continue borrowing Grad PLUS loans for up to 3 additional years or until your expected degree completion date, whichever comes first.

Q. I need to borrow more than the cap to finance my medical degree. What can I do? 

? If you anticipate needing to borrow more than the new federal loan cap to finance your medical degree, you have several options: If you are already enrolled or are enrolling before July 1, 2026, consider taking out at least one Grad PLUS loan to retain your eligibility and previous caps for up to 3 additional years. Explore service-based scholarship programs such as the National Health Service Corps, Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students, and the Health Professions Scholarship Program. Consult with your financial aid office regarding available private student loan options.

Q. I plan to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program after I graduate. How is that program impacted?

Time in medical residency or internships continues to count toward PSLF eligibility. Although earlier versions of the bill sought to exclude this time, that provision was not included in the final bill—a major advocacy win. Beginning July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS Loan Program will be eliminated for new borrowers. As a result, students may need to rely on private loans, which are not eligible for PSLF. The Department of Education (ED) is developing regulations that may impact which employers qualify under PSLF. The regulations are expected to reflect a March 2025 Executive Order from President Trump, which excludes organizations engaged in activities with a “substantial illegal purpose.” Under proposals released during ED’s July 2025 rulemaking, employees of newly disqualified employers could lose PSLF eligibility and would need to change jobs to remain eligible. The draft regulations will go through a public comment period before being finalized.

Q. What repayment options will be available to me after graduation?

For new borrowers after July 1, 2026, only two repayment plans will be available: A standard repayment plan with fixed monthly payments over 10–25 years based on how much you borrowed. The new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) — an income-based plan with monthly payments tied to your income and family size. 3 If you are a current borrower (with no new loans after July 1, 2026), you can remain on the current Standard, current Income Based (IBR), Graduated, and Extended repayment plans, or switch to RAP if desired.