Graduate Financial Aid

The Touro University System is committed to helping students afford the opportunity for a valuable education. In order for Touro to determine eligibility for its financial aid programs, all students except international students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Financial aid is provided through college, state, and federal funds for scholarships, grants, loans, and employment. Awards are designed to recognize scholastic achievement, service, and/or demonstrated need. The variety of financial aid programs available allows many students to greatly reduce their educational costs while attending Touro University.

It is the student’s responsibility to request, complete, and submit all forms with necessary documentation for all financial aid programs, including scholarships, in a timely manner. Students who would have otherwise been eligible may not receive funding when they fail to submit documents in a timely fashion. These awards are not granted retroactively and are subject to the availability of funds.

Financial aid awards are not guaranteed and may be reduced or cancelled after being offered or disbursed to students. Financial aid awards are subject to all revisions in federal, state and institutional policies, availability of funds, changes in enrollment, changes in housing status, as well as updates in FAFSA information, failure to meet minimum grade requirements, failure to complete the semester, and failure to timely submit all required documentation.

Students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements at all times in order to receive and retain financial aid.

Because of the nature of federal, state and institutional guidelines affecting financial aid programs, the information contained in this catalog is subject to change. For further information about available financial aid programs and whether you meet eligibility requirements please visit:

https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa - Federal website for submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid

https://studentaid.gov - Federal website for student and parent loan applications and information

https://www.csac.ca.gov/cal-grants - state website for California students to apply for various grants

http://www.isac.org/students/ - state website for Illinois students to apply for various grants

https://www.hesc.ny.gov/ - state website for New York students to apply for various grants

Financial Aid Self-Service

Financial aid is an enabling element in your educational pursuit. To that end, Touro has implemented the Touro One student portal. With this system, you can review your financial aid awards in real-time, accept or reject loan-based financial aid, gain insight into what might be delaying your financial aid, and much more. You can also register and pay your bill via the student portal. Visit https://touroone.touro.edu

Student Administrative Services Help Desk

As part of our Financial Aid Self-Service tool, our student services helpdesk aims to assist all students at the Touro University with their student services questions. To assist you off-campus or for general financial aid inquiries, please contact TouroOne Helpdesk at help@touro.edu, via phone at 844-868-7666 or via Zoom. To schedule a meeting with our specialist, visit https://tcus.service-now.com/sp

Federal Application Requirements and Procedures

All students who wish to apply for financial aid must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA or a Renewal FAFSA) and submit it to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) once for each academic year. The FAFSA can be completed online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Applications become available on October 1 for the upcoming school year that begins with the following summer semester. For example, for the 2025-2026 academic year (which includes the summer 2025, fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters) the FAFSA was available on October 1, 2024.

Financial aid funding is designed to help bridge the gap between the cost of attending a college and the student’s (and parent’s, when applicable) available resources. Most awards are determined by need. Please note: Financial need has no bearing on admission decisions. Touro administers federal, state, institutional and local sources of aid, as detailed in the following pages.

For information on how to fill out the FAFSA, please review the following link: https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out

Students who wish to apply for financial aid, including grants, parent and student loans, work-study, and/or scholarships, are required to complete the FAFSA. The college codes to be used on the FAFSA for Touro’s locations are listed below.

The FAFSA is available online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. For maximum consideration for all types of financial aid, students should file their FAFSA applications as soon as possible after October 1 of each year.

Exit Counseling

Students who are graduating, withdrawing, or dropping below half time enrollment need to complete the Exit Counseling.

Notes on Financial Aid

In reviewing your application, Touro’s Financial Aid Department may request additional documentation.

Loan funds are disbursed directly to the University to cover the cost of tuition. The Bursar’s Office distributes refunds within 14 days of receiving the funds.

Touro’s Financial Aid Department verifies enrollment and satisfactory academic progress before disbursing funds. For information on fund distribution, please contact the Bursar at bursar@touro.edu.

Touro reserves the right to revise its financial aid programs. All programs are subject to change due to modifications in government or institutional policies. Additional criteria and information may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid. Students are responsible for reading the Financial Aid Terms & Conditions before deciding to accept or reject their financial aid. View the disclosures at “View the disclosures” within your account in the Touro One Portal.

Federal Work-Study: Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a need-based program which provides part-time employment for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing you to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to your course of study. 

Funds for this program are awarded to eligible students as part of the financial aid process. Selection and placement for Work Study recipients is determined by student's eligibility, institutional funding, job availability and suitability for the position. Funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis each academic year.

Students may work a maximum of 30 hours/week during the summer semester and a maximum of 20 hours/week during the fall and spring semester at a rate of $20/hour beginning July 1, 2025.

Federal Work-Study Eligibility

• To be eligible for FWS, students must complete a FAFSA.

• Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA (unless such GPA does not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress in their school or program of study) to receive Federal Work-Study.

• Students who fail to make Satisfactory Academic Progress must immediately discontinue Federal Work-Study.

• If you cannot report for work as instructed, or no longer want employment, you must notify your direct supervisor. Failure to do so will jeopardize your future FWS eligibility.

Loans: Undergraduate and Graduate Students

When you apply for financial aid, you might be offered loans as part of your school’s financial aid offer. A loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest.  Student loans can come from the federal government, from private sources such as a bank or financial institution, or from other organizations. Federal student loans usually have more benefits than private loans.

To apply for a federal student loan, you must first complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. Based on the results of your FAFSA form, Touro University will send you a financial aid offer, which may include federal student loans. Touro will tell you how to accept all or a part of the loan.

Before you receive your loan funds, you will be required to

• complete entrance counseling, a tool to ensure you understand your obligation to repay the loan;

• sign a Master Promissory Note, agreeing to the terms of the loan.

Contact the financial aid office at the school you are planning to attend for details regarding the process at your school.

Types of Federal Student Loans

If you would like to learn more about the student loans, please use this link: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans

You must complete exit counseling when you leave school or drop below half-time enrollment. The purpose of exit counseling is to ensure you understand your student loan obligations and are prepared for repayment.

You'll learn about what your federal student loan payments will look like after school. We'll recommend a repayment strategy that best suits your future plans and goals.

You can find your personal loan details through your loan servicer account and your StudentAid.gov account.

Repaying Student Loans "101"

To review important concepts, tips, and recommendations for repaying your student loans please click the following link:  https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/repaying-101

What are the current interest rates?

The interest rates for Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2025, and before July 1, 2026, are shown in the chart below.

Note: The interest rates shown above are fixed rates for the life of the loan.

Have other questions about interest?

• Understanding interest rates and fees—Find out how interest is calculated.

• Information for military members—If you are a member of the military, you may be eligible for special interest benefits relating to your federal student loans.

What are the loan fees?

All Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans have a loan fee. The loan fee is a percentage of the loan amount and is proportionately deducted from each loan disbursement. The percentage for all Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2020, is 1.057%. Loans first disbursed before that date had different loan fees.

Private Loans

In addition to the above loans, students and parents may apply for private loan programs. These loans are not need-based, require a credit check and may require other evaluations of the borrower’s credit-worthiness. Alternative loans may require that the borrower apply with a co-signer.

Students who owe balances from prior years or who are ineligible for federal loans may wish to explore private loan funding. ELM Select is a tool that may aid you in selecting a private educational loan.

Touro is not affiliated with any private educational lender and encourages students to use all federal and state funding prior to seeking funds from private educational lenders. The Office of Financial Aid will offer advice to students on resources to finance their educational expenses.

New York State Awards

Veterans Tuition Award (VTA)

Available for graduate (and undergraduate) programs to eligible veterans and certain dependents.
https://www.hesc.ny.gov/vta (via NYS Grants & Scholarships list)

Master’s in Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship

A full-tuition award for students pursuing a master's degree in education (SUNY/CUNY) who commit to teaching in NYS public schools for five years.
https://newyork.teach.org/aid/nys-masters-education-teacher-incentive-scholarship

NYS Math & Science Teaching Incentive Program

Available to graduate (and undergraduate) students preparing to teach math or science at the secondary level in NYS.
https://www.hesc.ny.gov/find-aid/nys-grants-scholarships/nys-math-and-science-teaching-incentive-program

NYS Regents Awards for Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans

Applicable for graduate students whose parent served and died or became disabled in service.
https://www.hesc.ny.gov/regents

Alternate Sources of Aid

Financial Aid for Consortium Agreements

Touro students who want to attend other institutions in the United States or abroad for a semester or more) may be able to use federal financial aid under a consortium agreement. Students must be approved by their respective academic department prior to attending another institution for the semester(s). At least four weeks prior to the start of the semester(s), students must contact the Office of Financial Aid to complete the Consortium Agreement and to provide documentation of the Cost of Attendance (COA), course registration, contact information at the other school and their Touro academic department’s approval.

Veterans Benefits

Veterans may qualify for additional benefits, including the Yellow Ribbon Program (described below). For more information, contact the following agencies:

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), https://www.va.gov

• GI Bill®, http://www.gibill.va.gov *

• Office of Financial Aid at Touro

* "GI Bill®” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available on the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program

Touro is proud to be a part of the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program. The program is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 and allows degree-granting institutions of higher learning in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed either the Post 9/11 GI Bill® annual cap for private institutions or the resident tuition and fees for a public institution. The participating educational institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses, and the VA will match the same amount as the institution.

Students must be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® at the 100% rate to be considered for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Specific eligibility requirements for the Yellow Ribbon Program may be found online at http://www.gibill.va.gov/.

Eligible students fit the criteria as follows:

• Served an aggregate period of active duty after Sept. 10, 2001 of at least 36 months.

• Were honorably discharged from active duty for a service-related disability and served 30 continuous days after Sept. 10, 2001.

• Are dependents eligible for Transfer of Entitlement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® based on his/her service under the eligibility criteria listed above.

Students who wish to be considered should complete and submit an application form available online at http://www.gibill.va.gov/. The VA will inform students via written notification with an explanation of its decision on program eligibility. If approved, students will receive a Certificate of Eligibility confirming their service meets the requirements of the Yellow Ribbon Program. All Certificates of Eligibility should be presented to the Office of Financial Aid for Touro's records. The Certificate of Eligibility does not guarantee Yellow Ribbon funding as the availability of annual funds for Touro's Yellow Ribbon Program is limited. Student eligibility is determined by the university’s veteran certifying officer. For more information on selection criteria for Touro's Yellow Ribbon Program, contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Withdrawal Policy, Federal Return to Title IV (R2T4)

The Title IV Student Withdrawal Policy is designed to ensure the accurate and timely determination of:

1. The date of the institution’s determination that a student withdrew;

2. The student’s withdrawal date; and

3. The student’s last date of attendance.

The policy maintains the proper disposition of Title IV funds, in accordance with 34 CFR 668.22 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Background

Title IV or federal financial aid is awarded to students based upon the assumption that they will complete their semesters of enrollment and earn satisfactory grades. When students fail to complete their classes, they may lose eligibility for federal funds that they already received or could have received.

When a recipient of Title IV grant(s) and/or loan(s) withdraws (voluntarily or involuntarily) from Touro during a payment period (or semester) in which he/she began attendance, the college must determine the amount of the grant and/or loan assistance earned by the student as of his/her withdrawal date. This policy establishes steps that Touro must take to ensure compliance with federal regulations.

Policy

Touro must always return any unearned Title IV funds that it is responsible for within 45 days of the date Touro determined the student withdrew and offer any post-withdrawal disbursement of loan funds within 30 days of that date. Reference:  Student Financial Aid Handbook, Volume 5; Chapter 1 Withdrawals and Return of Title IV Funds.

Withdrawal Date

A student’s withdrawal date varies depending on the type of withdrawal. Reference: Determining a student’s withdrawal date at a school that is not required to take attendance in the Student Financial Aid Handbook, Volume 5; Chapter 1 Withdrawals and Return of Title IV Funds.

Official Notification Provided

• In a case when the student provides official notification of his/her intent to withdraw, Touro will use the date of notification as follows:

• In the event that a student begins Touro’s withdrawal process,* the date the student begins the process is the date of withdrawal.

• In the event that a student sends written notification of intent to withdraw, the date Touro receives the written notice is the date of withdrawal.

• In the event that a student makes an oral notification to the Office of the Registrar, which is Touro’s designated office for beginning the withdrawal process, the date will be documented by this office. The date of withdrawal will be recorded as of the date of oral notification, unless there is subsequent written notification, in which case the date that Touro receives the written notification may be the withdrawal date.

*To begin the withdrawal process, the student contacts the Office of the Registrar to obtain the appropriate withdrawal form. If the student both begins the withdrawal process and provides a notification to Touro, the earlier of the two dates will be used as the withdrawal date.

Official Notification Not Provided

In a case when the student does not provide official notification of his/her intent to withdraw, Touro may use the midpoint of the payment period as the date of withdrawal, with the following exception:

• When an official notification was not provided by the student because of circumstances beyond his/her control (i.e., illness, accident, grievous personal loss, or other circumstances), the date of the onset of such circumstances will be serve as the withdrawal date as determined by the Office of the Registrar.

Last Date of Attendance

Touro may always use the withdrawal date as the student's last date of attendance at an academic activity reported by a faculty member on a course enrollment roster or final grade sheet. Examples of academic activities are exams, tutorials, computer-assisted instruction, academic counseling, turning in class assignments, or attending a study group assigned by the University. The faculty member will maintain documentation of the last date of attendance.

Date of Institution’s Determination of Student Withdrawal

The date of Touro’s determination that a student withdrew varies depending upon the type of withdrawal. Reference: Determining a student’s withdrawal date at a school that is not required to take attendance, Student Financial Aid Handbook, Volume 5; Chapter 1 Withdrawals and Return of Title IV Funds.

Date of Official Notification Provided

This is the date the student provides official notification to Touro or begins the withdrawal process, whichever is later.

Date of Official Notification Not Provided

This is the date that Touro learns the student has ceased attendance. Touro will perform the Return to Title IV Funds calculation and return any unearned funds no later than 45 days after the end of the payment period determining the withdrawal date. For a student who withdraws without providing notification to Touro, the institution must determine the withdrawal date no later than 30 days after the end of the earliest:

• Payment period or period of enrollment (as appropriate)

• Academic year

• Educational program

Reference: Student Financial Aid Handbook, Volume 5; Chapter 1 Withdrawals and Return of Title IV Funds.

Refund of Unearned Funds to Title IV

If the total amount of Title IV grant and/or loan assistance that was earned by the student is less than the amount that was disbursed to the student as of the withdrawal date, the difference between the two amounts will be returned to Title IV programs and no further disbursements will be made. Funds will be returned as follows:

Refunds by the University

In the event that Touro is responsible for returning funds to Title IV programs, the funds will be returned in the order prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education (listed below) within 45 days of the date of determination of a student's withdrawal.

• Unsubsidized Federal Direct Student Loans

• Subsidized Federal Direct Student Loans

• Perkins Loans

• Federal Direct PLUS Loans

• Federal Pell Grants for the payment period for which a return of funds is required

• Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) for the payment period for which a return of funds is required

• National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART) for the payment period for which a return of funds is required

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) for the payment period for which a return of funds is required

• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH) for the payment period for which a return of funds is required

• Other assistance under Title IV for which a return of funds is required

Refunds by the Student

In the event that the student is responsible for returning grants funds to Title IV programs, Touro will notify the student within 45 days of the date of determination of his/her withdrawal. The student will be advised concerning making arrangements for repayment.

In some cases, both the student and Touro are each responsible for returning funds to the U.S. Department of Education under the R2T4 regulations.

Payment Period or Enrollment Period

Withdrawals and the return of Title IV funds will be based on a payment period for all standard term (or semester) programs.

Documentation

Touro must document a student’s withdrawal date and the date of determination that the student withdrew. The documents will be kept in the student’s academic file in the Office of the Registrar. The Title IV funds calculation and other accompanying documentation will be secured in the Office of Financial Aid.

Additional Financial Aid Policies for Graduate Students

High School Diploma

If you enroll in higher education for the first time on or after July 1, 2012, in order to be eligible for federal student aid, you must have either a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent (such as a General Educational Development certificate (GED) or a home school education). You no longer have the option of becoming eligible for federal student aid by passing an approved test or completing at least six credit hours or 225 clock hours of postsecondary education. This may also apply to state grant and other state funded programs.

Touro also reserves the right to evaluate any high school diploma presented by a student. Touro may, at any time, request a copy of a high school transcript to validate a high school diploma. A high school diploma or recognized equivalent is required to receive federal student aid.

Transfer Students

All students transferring from other institutions will have their credits evaluated. The Office of Admissions will notify the Office of Financial Aid of the number of accepted credits.

The financial aid package will be prepared based on the number of accepted transfer credits. If a financial aid package is prepared prior to the final transfer credit evaluation, federal loans will be awarded based on the grade level for which the transfer credits have been accepted. If additional transfer credits are accepted, the Office of Admissions will notify the Office of Financial Aid. In addition, a student must contact the Office of Financial Aid to determine if he/she is eligible for an increase in federal student loans based on academic grade level.

Financial Aid for Repeated Coursework: Financial Aid Impact

Repeating courses may significantly impact Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and eligibility for Title IV federal financial aid and institutional aid. All course repeats will count as attempted credits and be used in the quantitative and maximum timeframe components of the SAP policy. Students should consult with a financial aid advisor before registering for a repeated course.

The rules regarding repeated coursework will further impact recipients of Title IV federal financial aid funding. Students are allowed to repeat coursework under these circumstances for Federal Financial Aid:

• May repeat a previously passed course only once (and receive aid for the repeated course).

• May repeat a failed course until it is passed (aid eligibility will be limited to one repeat).

• May not repeat a previously passed course due only to a student’s failure to pass other coursework.