Financial Aid: Surgical First Assistant Program (Minnesota) - Surgical First Assistant Program (Minnesota) - Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science

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Getting started with financial aid at Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences

We are so glad that you are considering the Surgical First Assistant Program at Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences! Use this page as your guide to help you understand the financial aid process.

Applying for financial aid

Now is the time to start thinking about financial aid. The sooner you get started, the sooner we can provide support and guidance should you need any help.

Timeline

1. Complete and submit your FAFSA

Each year the FAFSA becomes available by January 1 for the following academic year. All students need to complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form as early as possible.

When completing your FAFSA you will apply as an undergraduate student. While you may have already received a degree from another institution, for the purpose of completing your FAFSA for the Echocardiography Program, it is considered an undergraduate program.

School codes

The code for Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science is 017114. It is very important to include the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science school code in your application.

Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science: 017114

If you are considering our 3 + 1 option, you will process your financial aid with the affiliated institution. You will want to add that institution’s school code to your FAFSA and not the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science school code.

Minnesota State University - Mankato, MN: 002360
Saint Mary's University - Winona, MN: 002380
University of Minnesota - Rochester, MN: 003969
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, WI: 003919
Winona State University - Winona, MN: 002394

2. Application review and financial aid award letters

During this step, program leadership will review your application and you will receive your program status.

If you are accepted into the Surgical First Assistant Program, we will send out email notifications with your financial aid award letter and next steps.

3. Complete and submit a Mayo Financial Aid Application

If you are accepted into your program, you’ll also need to complete a Mayo Financial Aid Application.

This is an institutional application which we use to determine if you will be receiving any institutional scholarships. We will provide you with this form if you are offered and accepted an appointment to the program.

4. Review your student loan options

Financial aid in the form of student loans is a common source of funding for students. Once you are accepted into the program, we’ll review your unique background and help you navigate your options and get you started down the right path.

5. Explore our financial aid resources

While student loans help cover necessary expenses, it is also common for students to want to better understand their financial landscape - How can I budget now? What will my lifestyle look like when I’m a student? How will repayment of my student loans impact my life after graduation?

Our team has the resources and can work with you to review your questions and come up with short- and long-term ideas and strategies to enhance your financial well-being. Sometimes understanding what the payment looks like can help better illustrate how affordable a higher education program can be.

FAQs

Do I have to reapply for financial aid?

Yes, you will need to submit the FAFSA every year to remain eligible for federal student aid.

After filling it out the first time, you can submit a renewal FAFSA in subsequent years which contains preprinted information from the previous year’s FAFSA. You just need to double-check that everything is still correct. You can also start from the beginning if you need to make significant changes.

How soon do I need to file the FAFSA, and should I still apply if I think my family makes too much money?

The sooner you fill out the FAFSA, the better. The application is free, and it's not just a way to determine how much federal student aid you'll receive. Some colleges and universities use information from the FAFSA to determine what institutional aid you qualify for. Even if your household income is too high for you to qualify for federal grants, the FAFSA is also used to determine federal student loan eligibility. There's no harm in applying, and on average, it only takes about 20 minutes to fill out the FAFSA.

What are some common mistakes students and families make when filling out the FAFSA?

The first mistake you can make is not filling out the FAFSA in the first place! Don't assume that you can't afford college - the FAFSA opens the door to many different opportunities for financial aid. Keep in mind that you don't need to know where you'll be attending school in order to file the FAFSA. You will also have the option to retrieve your IRS data to automatically populate the FAFSA, which simplifies the application process, helps reduce errors and lowers your chances of being selected to verify the information on your FAFSA. When filling out the FAFSA, make sure to take your time to avoid information errors, and do not leave too many spaces blank. Be sure to use your legal name and have official documents you need ready.

Do I need to be admitted before I can apply for financial aid?

No. You can apply for financial aid any time after the FAFSA for the correct academic year has been released by the Department of Education. To receive communication from the financial aid office and actually receive funds, you must be admitted into the program.

What are loan fees?

A fee charged for each federal student loan you receive that is a percentage of the total loan amount you are borrowing (gross amount). The loan fee is deducted proportionately from each disbursement of your loan. This reduces the actual loan amount you receive (net amount).

The specific loan fee that you are charged will be included in a disclosure statement you will receive after the first disbursement of your federal student loan. You will be required to repay the gross amount.