Refunds
Need money to cover fall living expenses?
Students who expect to have a credit balance once all anticipated aid is disbursed may apply for a living expense refund against the future credit.
Complete a Refund/Cash Advance Request Form
Residency Interviews
NBME Educational Assistance Award
Established in 2024, the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) provides an assistance award in the amount of $680 to 1350 medical students who have registered and taken USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK exam in 2025 to offset the cost of registration fees.
Fall Application: Opens November 24, 2025 & closes January 4, 2026. For details visit https://nmfonline.org/scholarships/nbmenmf-educational-assistance-award-fund/
The HMS cost of attendance budget (COA) does not automatically include residency interview expenses. However, we can increase your COA budget to allow for additional federal loan borrowing to help cover the costs associated with your residency interviews.
Please contact your Financial Aid Counselor for more information at financial_aid@hms.harvard.edu.
IT Perks and Discounts
Harvard students are eligible for free and discounted software and hardware.
For more information visit https://www.huit.harvard.edu/it-perks-and-discounts.
Meal Plan for Graduate & Professional Students
All graduate and professional school students are eligible for GradPlus, a meal plan that provides a 10% discount on purchases at multiple designated Harvard University Dining Services Campus Cafes, including Sebastian's Cafe.
For more information visit: https://www.dining.harvard.edu/graduateprofessional-dining/meal-plans
Student Perks & Discounts
Looking to make your budget stretch further this semester? Discover a range of exclusive discounts and deals designed to help you spend less and get more out of campus life.
Arts and Culture
Harvard students have access to arts and cultural events on and off campus, including 16 free Harvard museums and movie showings at the Harvard Film Archive.
Transportation
Bike Share: students benefit from a discounted yearly membership to Bluebikes.
Zip Car: Students get discounted rates, including a yearly membership for $35 a year.
Free Shuttle Service: Students can ride the Harvard and M2 shuttles for free with a student ID.
For more information visit: https://college.harvard.edu/student-life/residentiallife/cambridge-boston.
Outings & Innings
Harvard students can qualify for discounts and early access events to sporting events such as the Celtics, Red Sox and Bruins.
Students can qualify for discounts to museums such as the MFA, ICA and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
Discounts also include performing arts, movies and more.
View Outings & Innings.
2026-27 FAFSA
The 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available for the 2026-27 academic year.
View details
The HMS Financial Aid Office will begin importing 2026-27 FAFSA information in March 2026.
Federal Loan Updates
Key Changes to Federal Student Loans
Harvard Student Financial Services has put together an FAQ site to address questions regarding federal student loan changes as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act enacted in July 2025.
The changes to federal student loans will begin July 1, 2026. This impacts the 2026-27 academic year.
View details.
Financial Aid
Fact
Federal loan interest is calculated by using a simple daily interest formula:
Interest amount = (outstanding principal balance x interest rate factor) x number of days since last payment.
Interest rate factor is used to calculate the amount of interest that accrues on your loan.
You can find your interest rate factor by dividing your loan’s interest rate by the number of days in the year.
by Jimmy Chan
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Fall Financial Literacy Series
Financial Freedom RX
Dr. Chirag Shah MD, MPH hosted a weekly financial planning series in 4 segments. Dr. Shah is a vitreoretinal surgeon at Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston and the Co-Director of the Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship. He has recently co-authored a book on personal finance for physicians, “Financial Freedom Rx: The Physician’s Guide to Achieving Financial Independence.”
View the fall financial literacy series online at https://hms.harvard.edu/education-admissions/md-program/cost-aid/videotutorials .