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Grants & Loans

GRANTS

These funds do not need to be repaid and are often referred to as “gift aid”.

JABSOM Opportunity Grant

This fund is specific to JABSOM and is awarded on a “first come, first served” basis until depleted. The current award amount for this grant is $3,000 for the academic year.

To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Completed the FAFSA before the February 1st priority deadline

    • The FAFSA must be submitted for each year you wish to be considered for the grant

  • Demonstrate financial need

LOANS

These are borrowed funds to help pay for educational expenses and must be repaid, usually with interest. There are a number of loan programs available to medical students at JABSOM.

Types of Loans

  • The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program consists of loans created to help students finance their post-high educational costs. The lender of these funds is the U.S. Department of Education.

  • New students entering in Academic Year 2026-2027 and beyond are limited to a maximum of $50,000 annually in the Federal Unsubsidized Loan.  
    • Students can borrow up to a lifetime limit of $200,000 for graduate school (when including medical programs).
    • Students have an aggregate lifetime cap of $257,000 for all loans (undergraduate and graduate), which is effective from July 2026.

 

  • For more information about federal student loans, visit the UH Mānoa - Loan page.

  • Private student loans may be used in place of, or to supplement, Federal Direct Loans.  While these loans MAY offer lower interest rates to borrowers with EXCEPTIONALLY strong credit scores, borrowers should be aware that private loans do not qualify for the traditional loan repayment programs available through the federal government/State of Hawaiʻi.
    • Interest rates for 2026-2027 are expected to be roughly 8.07% for the Federal Unsubsidized Loan (and 9.07% for existing MS2-MS4 students under legacy provisions still eligible for the Grad Plus Loan).
  • Students must search for and apply directly with the bank or lender of their choice and may be required to have a loan co-signer.
    • Federal regulation prevents schools from providing a list of lenders.  Students must search and find private student loans themselves.
    • Another place to check is the ELMSelect Search tool to see loans students previously have taken (Note: this may not list medical school-specific loans currently, as the transition to private loans is a new push resulting from a law that takes effect 7/1/2026).
  • Maximum loan amounts per year will be based on the Cost of Attendance.
    • Example Aid package, based on a Cost of Attendance of $73,193 (new incoming MS1 Hawaii resident living off campus):
      • JABSOM Opportunity Grant: $3,000 (requires the FAFSA and is not guaranteed)
      • Federal Unsubsidized Loan: $50,000 (new annual maximum as of July 2026)
      • Private Student Loan eligibility: $20,193
      • TOTAL Aid: $73,193

  • Recommended you start 2 months before you will need the loan (tuition is due in August for the Fall semester).
    • Typically, you apply for a single loan to cover each year's costs.  It is possible to ask only for a one-semester loan, but if you need funds for the year, apply for the full amount from the beginning to avoid excessive credit pulls.

  • Students facing emergency financial hardships may be eligible for a short-term interest-free loan OR a small monetary grant to help them through the situation.

  • Students should reach out to us at medfas@hawaii.edu for assistance.