Eligibility

General ATOM Financial Aid and Direct Loan Eligibility

To be eligible for federal student aid, a student must satisfy all the following criteria:

  • be enrolled as a degree-seeking student in the Master of Oriental medicine (MA) program;
  • be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen;
  • be making satisfactory academic progress towards completion of the degree program as defined in Student Handbook and by ATOM standards and policies;
  • not be in default on a federal student loan at ATOM, or at any other institution;
  • not have borrowed in excess of the aggregate loan limits set for the federal direct loan programs;
  • not owe money on a federal student grant at any institution;
  • certify that he/she will use federal student aid only for educational purposes;
  • if a male born after January 1, 1960, be registered for the Selective Service;
  • have a valid Social Security number;
  • complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa by June 30 of each year;
  • Complete financial aid entrance counseling at the beginning of enrollment;
  • Complete and sign Promissory Notes for all loans, and
  • Complete financial aid exit counseling prior to graduating, withdrawing from the program, or reducing enrollment below half-time.

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Direct Unsubsidized Loan Eligibility

Direct Unsubsidized Loans are non-need-based aid. Therefore, any borrower who meets the requirements outlined above for Direct Loans qualifies for Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

Direct PLUS Loan Eligibility

Direct Plus Loans allow students to borrow funds in excess of the federal Direct Loan limits, up to their Cost of Attendance.  As a result, eligibility for Direct PLUS Loans is restricted to students who do not show an adverse credit history. In addition to the requirements listed above, a borrower must pass a credit check in order to be eligible for Direct PLUS loans.

A student who is interested in applying for Direct PLUS Loans meets with the Financial Aid Manager for advising, and completes a credit check through the Department of Education. Should the borrower’s Direct PLUS Loan application be rejected based on credit history, he/she may be eligible to reapply with an endorser (someone who agrees to repay the loan if the student does not repay it).  For additional information, potential borrowers may visit the Direct Loan webpage.

Military Tuition Assistance

For information on Military and Veterans benefits, click here.

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