Doctor in Clinical Psychology (PsyD)

Ponce Health Sciences University is pleased that you have selected our institution to continue with your academic and professional goals. The Office of Student Financial provides you with the information and tools to assist you in reaching educational goals. Please take your time to navigate through the various links we have provided and feel free to contact the Financial Aid Office if you need more information: psmfinstu@psm.edu

Financial Aid Application Process Links

Important Links (External):

• Financial Aid Education Portal (https://fa.financialavenue.org/fa/login/index.php) (Inceptia): PSHU access code: bw4g33 to setup your account. We recommend taking one of the following courses: COLLEGE AND MONEY or PSYCHOLOGY OF MONEY. PSHU will receive a report of those students accessing this site. This information will help students to be smart borrowers.
• Get your FSA ID (https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm) – this is your electronic signature for federal documents.
• Fill-out your Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) Online (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/)
• View Your Loans History (if applicable to determine available funds) (http://www.nslds.ed.gov/)
• Manage your Federal Student Loans (Entrance & Exit Counseling, Master’s Promissory Note, etc.) (http://www.studentloans.gov/)

Important Links for PHSU application forms and manual

• PHSU Financial Aid Application – click to download the form
• Request for Aid and Loans
• Student Authorization
• Student Financial Aid Manual

Federal Financial Aid Programs

• Direct Unsubsidized Loan: students who meet the requirements established by the US Department of Education may receive a Direct Loan, according to the academic program: graduate and professional students are eligible to receive up to $20,500 per academic year. As an institution that previously participated in the HEAL Programs our MD, Doctorate and PhD in Clinical Psychology, as well as certain Master Degree Programs might be eligible for additional amount of loan. The amount is established annually by Federal Regulations. The Financial Aid Office provides orientation about the application process for student loans, the student’s qualifying requirements and the specifics regarding interest rate, orientation fess, repayment process, etc. The student must submit an agreement form known as a Master Promissory Note, and complete electronic entrance counseling, both on-line: www.studentloans.gov.
• Direct Loan-Plus Graduate Loan: This is a federal fixed-interest loan for graduate and professional students, beyond the DL Unsubsidized award, to cover any additional cost of attendance. The interest rate and origination fee, which is annually fixed by the Federal Government, begins to accrue from the date of the first disbursement. The loan qualifying process requires a credit check verification, on-line entrance counseling and an on-line submission of a Master Promissory Note: www.studentloans.gov
• Private Loans (Alternative Loans). These are credit-based loans that may be used to supplement other types of financial aid programs. The loan amounts vary according to amount requested and approved for the student. The interest rate is variable, accrued while in school and usually based on the current “Prime Rate” plus a lender’s predetermined interest rate. Repayment may be up to 20 years. These Private Alternative Loans provide funds to complete the remaining need after the student is awarded other financial aid. Due to the high interest rate that these loans represent, the student should consider these loans as a last resource to their financial need. PHSU does not recommend any specific lender, the evaluation and selection is a student’s individualized decision.
• Historical Private Lender List
  PHSU does not deny or otherwise impede the student’s choice of an alternative lender or cause unnecessary delay in loan certification of these loans. The following is a list of the three private loans that have been most commonly selected by our students during last two previous academic years, however, we reiterate that the student may select any other lender they esteem will meet their financial need.
  • Discover: www.discover.com/student-loans
  • Sallie Mae: www.salliemae.com
  • Wells Fargo: www.wellsfargo.com/student/graduate-loans/med-school

Other Financial Aid Options:
Military Scholarship Programs: Students interested in a military career may consider apply for one of the scholarships programs for healthcare professions offered by the US Army, the US Air Force, Navy or the National Guard. The students must contact the desired program:

• US Army: 1-800-USA-ARMY www.goarmy.com
• US Air Force: 1-800-423-USAF www.airforce.com
• US Navy: 1-800-USA-NAVY www.navy.com
• US National Guard: 1-800-GO-GUARD www.nationalguard.com

National Health Services Corps Scholarship Program: available for students in the primary health care specialties and committed to serving part or their entire career in federally designated health professional shortage area. Learn more about this program at: nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov

Financial Aid Application Process

Direct Loan Application Process
Students interested in applying for a Direct Loan must comply with the federal requirements and following requirements:

1. Have financial need.
2. Be an US Citizen or an Eligible Non-Citizen.
3. Have a valid social security number.
4. Enroll in an eligible program as a regular student working toward a degree.
5. Meet satisfactory academic progress standards.
6. Register (or have registered) with the Selective Service if you are a male between the ages of 18 and 25.
7. Certify that are not in default on a federal student loan and that do not owe money on a Federal student grant.
8. Student cannot exceed the aggregate loan limit established by the Department of Education.
9. Comply with the Entrance Interview/Counseling.
10. Provide all the documents and information required by the Financial Aid.

Students must fill the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the corresponding academic year, in order to be evaluated to determine eligibility for federal and state funds. It must be submitted on line at www.fafsa.gov no later than last working day of April. The PHSU school code is G24824. Students need a pin number, which can be obtained at www.pin.ed.gov.
Once the student submits the FAFSA, the Department of Education will send an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) to the school, which will be used for evaluation and analysis.

VERIFICATION

Students with a FAFSA application selected for verification by the Department of Education will be required to submit the following documents:

• Complete a Verification Worksheet (provided by the Financial Aid Office)
• Copy of the Tax Return (IRS or PR tax return form) or
• W-2 form(s) (if apply)
• Evidence of wages, salaries, tips, etc., reported on the FAFSA
• Others

If the student (student’s parent or spouse) is not required to file income tax return, he/she will be required to complete and sign a Certification of Income, provided by the Financial Aid Office, among other documentation. Note: No loan will be process until the verification process is completed.

NEED ANALYSIS

As part of the evaluation, the Financial Aid Office will take in consideration the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is the amount that the student should contribute towards his/her cost of education, and it is determined by the Federal Government. The need analysis consists of the following basic calculation: Cost of Attendance minus EFC equals Financial Need. As part of the analysis, it will be considered any other expected financial aid (external funds such as Vocational Rehabilitation, Veteran Administration, military scholarships, and any other grant or scholarship). Note: A student cannot receive financial assistance in excess of the determined Financial Need.

AWARDING AND NOTIFICATION

The next step is the awarding of financial aid amounts by PHSU and preparing the award notification for the student. Once the awarding process is completed, a Notification of Award is sent to each student.

Return Policy and Requirement for Withdrawal and Return of Federal Financial Aid (see PHSU catalog refund policy section)

Suspension of Eligibility for Drug-Related Offenses

If convicted of any offense involving the possession of a controlled substance, a student’s eligibility for Title IV Financial Student Aid Program will be denied for:

• One year after the first conviction
• Two years after the second conviction
• Indefinitely after the third conviction

Eligibility may be restored if the student partakes of an approved Federal Government Rehabilitation Program.

Please refer to the Student Financial Aid Manual for specific information regarding all the dynamics of financial aid as it applies to new and continuing students.

Financial Aid Contact Information:

Financial Aid Personnel:
Mrs. Myrian Gaud Maitín, MBA
Financial Aid Manager
mgaud@psm.edu

Mrs. Nicole Vázquez Colon, MSS
Financial Aid Officer
nivazquez@psm.edu

Ms. Mariannette Cruz Rentas, BS
Administrative Assistant
macruz@psm.edu

Office Hours
Monday to Thursday: 8:00-11:30 am – 1:00-4:30 pm
Friday: Administrative Work (By appointment only)

Financial Aid Office Contact Information
Phone Number: (787) 840-2575 ext. 2134, 2135 or 2136
E-mail: psmfinstu@psm.edu
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7004, Ponce. Puerto Rico 00731
Physical Address: 388 Zona Ind. Reparada 2 Ponce PR 00716-2347