Frequently Asked Questions

Dental student financial aid can come in the following forms:

• Federal Direct Loans (Unsubsidized Stafford and Graduate PLUS)
• Health and Human Services Loans
• Federal Work Study funds
• Institutional scholarships (awarded by the college)
• Private student loans

All graduate level students are considered Independent for financial aid purposes and not required to complete the parents’ section of the FAFSA and provide parent federal income tax information.

However, there is an exception: Students who are interested in applying for Health and Human Services (HHS) funds are required to complete the parents’ section of the FAFSA and submit their parents’ federal income tax information via the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. There is no exception to this requirement. These HHS programs are the following:

• Health Professions Loan
• Loan for Disadvantaged Students

The Stafford and Graduate PLUS loans are non-need-based unsubsidized loans available to graduate level students. Students are eligible for a maximum amount in Stafford each year and can supplement their education expenses with the Graduate PLUS loan (up to the total cost of attendance). The Graduate PLUS Loan requires a soft credit check by the Department of Education. Both types of loans are subject to a loan origination fee assessed by the Department of Education. Unsubsidized loans accrue interest while in school, but students are not required to make any payments while enrolled at least half time. Federal loan interest rates can change each year on July 1st. Repayment of Federal Direct loans begins six months from the date you graduate or cease to be enrolled at least half time. These six months are called a "grace period." There is no penalty for early repayment. For more information, please visit studentaid.gov.

The amount of money a student can request each year depends on your estimated cost of attendance. MUSC’s Office of Student Financial Aid is required to follow federal guidelines in composing your educational cost of attendance. According to federal guidelines, the cost may only include direct educational costs (such as tuition, fees, and student health insurance) and reasonable living expenses.

The cost does not include other financial and familial responsibilities that you may have, including consumer debt such as credit card and car payments.

You may contact your Financial Aid Coordinator to obtain a copy of your estimated cost of attendance. You may request financial assistance up to your estimated cost of attendance. All types of financial aid count toward your total cost of attendance, including loans, scholarships, waivers, and more. We encourage students to construct a budget and review their expenses before completing the loan request form.

All financial aid refunds are processed by MUSC’s Bursar’s Office. The Bursar’s Office also receives scholarship checks and handles tuition and fees billing each semester.

Financial aid is disbursed to the Bursar’s Office each term no earlier than ten days prior to the first day of classes. The Bursar’s Office typically issues student refunds within the first two weeks of each term. MUSC students have the option to receive funds via direct deposit or a paper check in the mail.

For more information on refunds, tuition and fees, billing, or scholarship checks please contact the Bursar’s Office.

Phone: 843-792-2170
Email: studacct@musc.edu

Yes, you may submit application updates after the deadline; however, you must already be marked complete by the deadline.

No, we encourage you to complete and submit your MUSC supplemental application as soon as you can.

• Average DAT: 20 AA/21 DAT
• Average cumulative GPA: 3.65
• Average science GPA: 3.59

Interviews are conducted virtually. The day begins with a welcome session, an overview of MUSC’s campus, and an explanation of the day’s events. Applicants then have two 30-minute interviews with faculty members. There is also a virtual tour of the Charleston area and an opportunity to ask questions of current students.

As the only dental school in South Carolina, we always look for qualified in-state students as well as highly qualified candidates from near and far. Typically, out of the cohort of 78 students, 21 to 23 students will be from out-of-state.

First-year students in the D.M.D. program begin on the first business day in June.

Yes! Guided tours of MUSC for dental students are offered in June and July. There are also materials for a self-guided tour, as well as a virtual tour. Please visit our Recruitment Events page for more information.

The D.M.D. program is a four-year commitment. Applicants must start the program from the beginning.

Early clinics start in the first year. Dental students spend two half-days per week in the clinics.

You can find the college calendar, and a link to the university calendar, on the Academic Calendar page.

Please visit the Services for Students with Disabilities page.

If you are a current student, please go to Life.musc.edu and order a transcript. If you have any questions, please contact Enrollment Management at 843-792-3281.

Contact Michelle Beebe, Office of the Dean, at beebemi@musc.edu.

Please consult the What to Know About Commencement page and reach out to MUSC’s Office of Enrollment Management with any questions.

The Student Resources page contains helpful resources and policies.