Grants do not have be repaid. In order to establish eligibility, students should complete the FAFSA application.

The available grants to students are the following:

• Arkansas Health Education Grant (must be an Arkansas resident Dental student)
• Tennessee Black Conditional Grant Program (for African-American students only)
• Tennessee Higher Education Commission Grant (THEC)

The Tennessee Black Conditional Grant and Tennessee Higher Education Commission Grant are contingent upon funding from the state each year. Both of these program required eligible applicants to be certified Tennessee resident. All interested applicants must complete an application and attach the requested documents, in order to be deemed eligible. Students must not have moved to Tennessee in anticipation of attending school, should have attended high school in Tennessee, be a US citizen, or have resided continuously in Tennessee since birth for both grants to certify eligibility.

You can complete the Tennessee Higher Education Commission Grant application by clicking here.

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program provides part-time jobs for graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the recipient’s course of study. Due to the small allocation, FWS funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, until funds are depleted.

Loans are funds that are borrowed and must be repaid. There are several different types of loans for students, including federal and private. Plan carefully if you choose to borrow a student loan. While loans may be necessary in order for you to finance your education while at Meharry, students should borrow conservatively. If you are offered a student loan as part of your financial aid award, you have the option to accept, reduce, or decline the loan.

• Direct Unsubsidized Loans are federal loans available to Graduate students and are not based on need. Interest accrues from date of disbursement.
• Graduate PLUS Loans are federal loans available for Graduate students and eligibility is based on credit. Interest accrues from date of disbursement.
• Private/Alternative Student Loans are also available and based on credit. Meharry works with all lenders. Students are encouraged to do their due diligence in determining the appropriate lender before selecting a private/alternative loan product. Meharry cannot recommend a specific lender.

**No Subsidized loans for graduate students beginning July 1, 2012.