Stanford institutional scholarship and loan resources are awarded solely on student need. Merit based scholarship is not offered. The school’s policy is that students, (including spouses, if married), and parents, have the primary responsibility for financing the cost of a medical education. Our financial aid program attempts to help students and their families meet the shortfall of funds after family financial resources are calculated.
Students matriculating prior to academic year 2020-21, are considered independent if age 30 as of 12/31/21 . Students matriculating academic year 2020-21 and beyond are not considered financially independent and must provide required application materials, including parental data, to be considered for institutional need-based grant and loans. Students are considered financially dependent upon both biological parents, even if they no longer claim you as a dependent. Your age, marital status, and/or the fact that you may have been self-supporting for a number of years, is not relevant.
Estrangement from Parents
If parent information due to absolute estrangement cannot be secured, applicant may request an Waiver of Parental Information Form; professional third-party verification of circumstances is required. Upon approval, the estrangement waiver will be granted for all subsequent financial aid years.
Separated or Divorced Parents
For the purposes of determining Stanford need-based financial aid, each natural parent must submit financial information and the required tax forms.
The CSS Profile application and parents’ federal income tax returns are used to determine the parental contribution. The formula takes into consideration parents':
- Taxable income (wages or salaries, interest and dividends)
- Untaxed income (social security benefits, veteran benefits, voluntary annual contributions to tax deferred savings, workers compensations)
- Assets (savings, investments of all kind, stocks and bonds, stock options)
- Parent Age
- Number of dependents
- Number of dependents in college*
- Federal and state income taxes paid
- An allowance, which varies by family size.
*SU Scholarship eligibility and or amount may be affected by having sibling(s) in college. During the winter quarter the Financial Aid Office will request verification of sibling enrollment in a degree-seeking program. Failure to submit proof of enrollment may result reduction or cancellation of SU Scholarship.
Donor Acknowledgement
- Institutional scholarship, loan, and MedScholar Fellowship funds exist as a result of generous gifts from alumni or friends of Stanford.
- If awarded these funds, you may be required to write a thank-you letter to the donor(s). Your cooperation is needed and expected to maintain their good will.
- The Stanford Office of Medical Development will contact you in late November if a letter is required for your particular fund.
- Aid recipients who fail to comply by the specified date will lose eligibility for Stanford scholarship or loans — or both and may forfeit institutional aid eligibility in future years
Verification of Sibling/Spouse Enrollment in College
- Only siblings under the age of 26 in a degree seeking program attending college at least half time, a minimum of one semester or two quarters in the current academic year, may be considered on the CSS Profile Application.
- Verification will be required during the winter quarter of the academic year. Failure to provide certification of enrollment by the specified deadline may result in a recalculation of Stanford need-based scholarship and/or loan eligibility.
- Verification may be obtained through the National Student Clearing House (this option is only available if the sibling/spouse's school participates in this program) for a nominal fee or by completing an enrollment verification form provided by the Financial Aid Office.
Graduate Housing Loan Program
If you are moving to off-campus housing and need funds to cover move-in expenses, the University Graduate Housing Loan may help with security deposit, etc. Additional information can be found at Graduate Housing Loan Information. Please contact the Financial Aid Office with any questions.
Stanford University Emergency Grant in Aid
Emergency Grant-in-Aid Funds assist graduate students who experience a financial emergency or unanticipated expenses, causing financial hardship; Graduate Family Grant Website
Stanford University Family Grant
The Family Grant is available to all graduate students. Funds may be used flexibly to cover expenses such as childcare, healthcare, insurance and rent. Please review the program guidelines before completing the application.
Taxes
- SU Scholarship that exceeds total annual tuition and fees may be taxable. Please see IRS Publication 970 for additional information.
- International Students: SU Scholarship and other support may be subject to tax withholding. Please see below for additional information.
- Tax Information Website
