Financial Aid for the Brody School of Medicine

For more information regarding financial aid at the Brody School of Medicine, please contact:

Deana Summerlin, Senior Assistant Director, Office of Student Financial Aid
or
Blake Campbell, Counselor, Office of Student Financial Aid

Email them at finaid@ecu.edu
Students should identify in subject line they are medical students and include their ECU Banner ID (i.e. medical student-First & Last Name-refund question)

Phone: 252-328-6610
This phone number is answered by representatives in the Financial Aid Call Center. Students should identify that they are a Brody Medical Student and request to speak with Deana or Blake.

The Financial Aid satellite office at the Health Sciences Student Center is open 8-5, Monday-Friday:

Health Science Campus Financial Aid
1868 Health Science Drive
Room 122
Greenville, NC 27834
Mail Stop 753
Phone: 252-328-6610
Fax: 252-744-5450

Address faxes to Deana Summerlin or Blake Campbell.

Please note to send future scholarship checks and or correspondence to Deana Summerlin or Blake Campbell.

Applying for Financial Aid

If you are planning to use Financial Aid as a means of paying your tuition, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) via the web.  Please indicate that you want your information released to East Carolina University, school code 002923.

If this is your first time applying, you will need to apply for an FSA ID at https://fsaid.ed.gov.  As a medical student, you are automatically considered independent for financial aid purposes. Only your income is used to calculate eligibility for the Federal Stafford Loan programs. BSOM does not require you to report parental income information on the FAFSA.

Students may submit their FAFSA beginning October 1.  BSOM does not enforce a FAFSA deadline. However, students are encouraged to submit as early as possible to secure funding prior to the start of class. BSOM will begin reviewing FAFSAs in March. Financial Aid award offers will be mailed afterwards.

If you need help completing the FAFSA, contact the U.S. Department of Education at: 1-800-433-3243

Award Package

Based on the information you reported on the FAFSA,that information is applied to a formula established by the U.S. Department of Education. The formula calculates you and/or your family’s ability to pay for your educational expenses. The formula is referred to as your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your financial need is the difference between your cost of attendance and your Expected Family Contribution.

This calculation is often expressed as follows:  Cost of Attendance – EFC = Need based eligibility

Your award package may consist of federal student loans and institutional grants and/or scholarship(s) you are eligible to receive. Your total award package cannot exceed the cost of attendance. If you expect to receive any other form of financial assistance, please complete the Additional Aid and Other Resources Form available at https://financialaid.ecu.edu/. Failure to do so can result in a financial aid over award, which may require you to repay funds.

Federal Loan Programs

Federal Direct Loans are long-term, low-interest student loans provided by the U.S. Department of Education rather than a bank or other financial institution. Graduate/Professional students are eligible for the following types of Direct Loans;

Direct Unsubsidized Loan

Not based on financial need; interest accrues during the time a student is in school and during grace and deferment periods. Payment on this loan does not begin until 6 months after graduation or if you drop below half time enrollment. Standard repayment period is 10 years, but can be extended. Information on the current interest rate & origination fees can be found here.

Loan Limits

Graduate Plus Loan

This loan is available to a student who has borrowed the maximum in Unsubsidized loan for the academic year. The Graduate Plus Loan is credit based and requires credit approval. Students may borrow up to the Cost of Attendance minus any other financial aid received for that year. Payment on this loan does not begin until 6 months after graduation or if you drop below half time enrollment. Standard repayment period is 10 years, but can be extended. More information about the Graduate PLUS loan, including interest rate and origination fees can be found here.

To apply, please contact Ms. Deana Summerlin.

Entrance Loan Counseling & Master Promissory Note

If you are borrowing a Direct Loan through BSOM for the first time, you must complete the Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note by logging into www.studentaid.gov our office will be notified electronically when each requirement has been successfully completed.

State Loan Programs

Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS) is a scholarship/loan program administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority. A scholarship/loan means that although it is technically a loan, if you follow the rules and obligations of the program, the amount is forgiven through service and thus becomes a scholarship.

FELS provides financial assistance to qualified students who are committed to working in North Carolina in fields designated as critical employment shortage areas. These programs are related to teaching, allied health, nursing, and medicine programs. BSOM students are eligible to receive $14,000 per year for four years.

Application deadlines vary.

For more information and to apply go to http://www.cfnc.org/FELS.

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance (COA) provides students with an idea of what costs might be incurred as a medical student attending BSOM. There are two types of costs listed: direct costs and indirect costs.

Direct Costs include tuition and fees that are paid directly to the university. The student health insurance plan is also a direct cost for students who choose to purchase the plan.

Indirect Costs are expenses you will likely pay during the academic year. Indirect costs are not billed by the university. Example of indirect costs include; books and supplies, rent, transportation, and personal expenses. Indirect costs are simply estimates. You can control how much you spend. Use our estimates as a starting point and then budget appropriately.  Keep in mind that the Financial Aid Office can only award students with an amount of aid equal to or less than their cost of attendance.

Married students and/or students with dependents should note that your budget only includes living expenses solely for you. The expectation is that the living expenses of your spouse and dependents will be met through spouse’s earnings.

However, students may apply to receive additional loans for child day care costs and for other unusual expenses that affect the student’s ability to pay. Students will be required to provide documentation such as receipts at time of request. These requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Cost of Attendance does not include consumer debts, such as car payments, bank loans, or credit card obligations which students may have established prior to medical school. Students should try to eliminate previous debts before beginning their medical school career.

Cost of Attendance for Academic Year 2024-2025

Return of Title IV Funds

If a Title IV aid (Direct Loan) recipient withdraws before the end of a semester, the institution must calculate the amount of Title IV aid (Direct Loan) the student did not earn. Unearned Title IV funds must be returned to the loan servicer.

The university will assume the responsibility for making the appropriate returns to the Title IV programs on the student’s behalf as well as overpayments received by the university. It is the responsibility of the student to pay the university these overpayments within 90 days from the date of the withdrawal. Failure to repay the university will jeopardize eligibility for future Title IV funding at East Carolina University as well as other institutions of higher education. Students must also complete Exit Loan Counseling. This is a federal requirement of all students who are graduating from ECU, withdrawing, or have dropped below half-time status.

Scholarships & Grants

Various scholarship funds are administered by ECU Medical & Health Sciences Foundation. Awards are based on financial need and/or academic potential as ascertained by the Scholarship Committee. Preference is given to those students who meet the mission of the school and the criteria outlined by each scholarship description. Students will be emailed directly when the scholarship application becomes available each year. Students will apply through ECUAWARD, an on-line web portal where all ECU students complete scholarship application.

How to Apply:

• Select “Sign In”
• Click “Sign in With Your Institution”
• Sign in with your Pirate ID and Passphrase
• Complete the General Scholarship Application, making sure to answer each question fully
• Provide and electronic signature and date
• Click “Finish and Submit”

You may be prompted to answer additional questions or directed to other scholarships that have a manual application. Read all the prompts and directions carefully. Make sure to review all identified opportunities to determine if you should apply.

If you have questions, please contact the Office of University Scholarships at 252-328-5816. The deadline to apply for scholarships for February 15 for the following academic year.

Scholarships opportunities available to BSOM students:

The Andrew Best Scholarship- Awarded to a deserving medical student in honor of this long-standing advocate and supporter of the Brody School of Medicine.

The Brody Scholars Scholarship- A full tuition scholarship for an incoming student to the Brody School of Medicine for all four years, becoming an additional Brody Scholar enjoying all the aspects of the Brody Scholar program. Twelve chosen applicants will be invited in to interview for the Brody Scholarship in early March.

The Chamberlain Scholarship Fund- Provides financial assistance to a Brody School of Medicine student in good academic standing.

The Class of 1992 Scholarship Fund- Assists Brody School of Medicine students with tuition costs and is based on need, merit, or a combination of both.

The Class of 2007 Jasmine A. Peters Scholarship- Helps to support an entering student to the Brody School of Medicine who demonstrates outstanding character and has financial need.

The Connell George Garrenton, MD Scholarship- Assists Brody School of Medicine students who have financial need and, preferably, who show promise in Family Medicine and a willingness to practice in rural North Carolina.

The Dr. and Mrs. Hervy Kornegay, Sr Endowed Scholarship- Awarded to an MD student at the Brody School of Medicine who attended ECU as an undergraduate.

The Dr. and Mrs. Mark MacDonald Medical Scholarship- Awarded to a student at the Brody School of Medicine with academic excellence, financial need, and preferably with prior military service. Recipients may renew the scholarship annually if good academic standing is maintained.

The Dr. Dean H. Hayek Distinguished Scholarship Fund- Honors the academic excellence of an incoming medical student by providing a significant award that approaches or equals 50% tuition for each year, thus it is a four-year commitment to a deserving student. It is a fitting tribute to Dean H. Hayek, PhD, who served the ECU Brody School of Medicine for more than 26 years as the Dean of Admissions.

The Dr. G. Earl and Mrs. Ruth Trevathan Scholarship- Provides needed financial assistance for a deserving first-year medical student enrolled at the Brody School of Medicine.

The Dr. Leon and Sally Davis Scholarship Endowed Fund- Available to any admitted MD student in the Brody School of Medicine that is in good academic standing and demonstrates financial need.

The Dr. Loretta M. Kopelman Endowed Scholarship Fund- Provides a need-based scholarship for a Brody School of Medicine student who has demonstrated initiative in women and leadership issues in medicine. The scholarship is available to current and entering students, and those in good academic standing remain eligible for each of their four years at Brody.

The Dr. Seymour Bakerman Scholarship Fund- Is given to a rising junior or senior at the Brody School of Medicine with financial need.

The ECU Medical and Health Science Foundation Scholarship- Provides support to a student at the Brody School of Medicine and is awarded on academic merit and other criteria determined by the scholarship selection committee.

The Foy & Joyce Goforth Scholarship Fund- Awarded to a medical student who shows promise in primary care medicine and a willingness to serve in Eastern North Carolina. First priority is given to students from Wilson, Greene, or Lenoir Counties with an advantage given to students who are children of alumni of the School of Medicine at East Carolina University.

The Hannah Carpenter Tart Scholarship in Brody School of Medicine- Helps support a Brody School of Medicine student, preferably from Harnett County.

The Haywood M. Phthisic, Sr. & Margaret Chappell Phthisic Memorial Scholarship Fund- Awarded to a Brody School of Medicine student in good academic standing, who has, or is about to receive, a BS degree from East Carolina University. Preference is given (in the following order) to financial need, academic merit, and citizenship (volunteering and meaningful participation in the Eastern NC medical community.) Recipients are eligible all four years of enrollment.

The Irwin S. Johnsrude, MD Scholarship Fund- Provides a needs-based scholarship to a deserving student in good standing. The recipient is a Brody School of Medicine student who serves the university community in a similar fashion as former faculty member, the late Dr. Irwins S. Johnsrude.

The John P. Holt Sr., MD Endowment Scholarship- A need-based award for a Brody School of Medicine student who has demonstrated initiative and interest in health issues that disproportionately affect minorities and disadvantaged groups. The Holt Scholar strives to serve the field of medicine in a similar manner as the late John P. Holt, Sr, MD, served his community. The scholarship is available to current and entering students in good academic standing, and is renewable annually.

Puente Scholarship- Provides a scholarship to a Brody School of Medicine student with academic excellence and financial need, and may be renewed annually if good academic standing is maintained.

The R.O. Slivon Scholarship Fund- Awarded to a Brody School of Medicine student who exemplifies service to others and other factors deemed important by the scholarship committee and donors.

The Rachel Louise Scholarship- Paul and Sydney Cunningham created this Scholarship in memory of their daughter, Rachel Louise. Female students at the Brody School of Medicine with demonstrated financial need and who are from one of the 29 counties of Eastern North Carolina are eligible to be considered for this award.

The Roger G. & Gaile Davenport Taylor Endowed Scholarship Fund- Gives first preference to a Brody School of Medicine student from Nash, Wilson, or Edgecombe counties; secondly, to those from Eastern North Carolina; and finally, to a North Carolinian.

The Rose Pully Scholarship Fund- Awarded to a Brody School of Medicine medical student with financial need, preferably with a rural North Carolina background and a stated interest in Family Medicine. The recipient is eligible all four years of his or her medical education, providing that good academic standing is maintained.

The Samia Scholarship- Provides a scholarship to a first-year student at the Brody School of Medicine on the basis of academic excellence and financial need, and if the student remains in good academic standing, it may be renewed each year.

The Tom and Janie Bass Medical Scholarship- Provides support to a Brody School of Medicine student based on academic excellence and financial need. Recipients may renew the scholarship annually if good academic standing is maintained.

The W.R. Roberson Scholarship Fund- Assists Brody School of Medicine students with tuition costs and is based on need, merit, or a combination of both.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

This policy has been developed to ensure that the Student Financial Aid Program meets or exceeds requirements set forth by federal regulations governing academic standards of progress for financial aid eligibility. This policy applies to those students receiving Title IV financial aid. Federal guidelines require that a policy be determined that is both quantitative (time frame) and qualitative (grades) for financial assistance. A student in “good academic standing” is one who has officially matriculated and is presently pursuing a program of study defined by the University as leading to the satisfactory completion of that program. In addition, the student must be proceeding at a pace which, if continued, will lead to the awarding of a medical degree.

In order to receive federal and other types of financial aid, students must comply with the Brody School of Medicine’s Satisfactory Academic Progress guidelines and financial aid guidelines. Details are available on the Student Grading page.