Refunds
Need money to cover spring living expenses?
Students who expect to have a credit balance once all anticipated aid is disbursed may apply for a spring living expense refund against the future credit.
Complete a Refund/Cash Advance Request Form
2026-27 Cost of Attendance Budgets
The 2026-27 Cost of Attendance Budget is now available.
We encourage you to review the new budget and compare the standard amounts (housing, food, transportation, books/supplies, personal expenses) to your actual monthly costs
View the 2026-27 Cost of Attendance Budget.
2026-27 Financial Aid Application
The HMS Financial Aid Application for the 2026-27 academic year will be available mid-March.
The 2026-27 FAFSA is available now. Be sure to list “E00472” for the HMS school code. [Address: Harvard University Medical School, Boston, MA].
Deadline: May 1, 2026
Tax Resources
1098-T tax forms will be available through University Student Financial Services by the end of January 2026.
Find out more about the 1098-T form through University Student Financial Services.
The HMS Financial Aid Office is unable to provide tax advice as we are not tax experts, but here are helpful websites and information to assist you with your tax questions.
• Harvard University Tax Website
• Harvard International Office Tax Information for International Students
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
• Massachusetts Department of Revenue
Safety Tips for Tax Season
• Be wary of pressure tactics. Anyone pushing you to act right away, give personal details, or make instant payments is likely trying to scam you.
• Share tax documents only through secure platforms. Avoid sending forms over text, email, or public Wi-Fi. Public networks can expose your private information.
• Report anything that feels off. If you receive a suspicious message or meet a questionable preparer, report it to the appropriate authorities.
Tax season is a prime time for scams, and students are frequent targets. Keep these tips in mind to protect your personal and financial information.
• Be cautious about tax “tips” on social media. Some posts encourage students to claim credits they’re not eligible for or push harmful advice that can lead directly to scammers.
• Ignore suspicious emails or texts about refunds or account problems. The IRS does not contact people through email, text messages, or social media. If a message contains a link or asks for personal information, it’s likely a scam.
• Watch out for “ghost” or fake tax preparers. These scammers may refuse to sign returns, ask for blank signatures, or charge unusually high fees. Always work with a preparer who can verify their professional credentials.
2026-27 FAFSA
The 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available for the 2026-27 academic year.
View details.
The HMS Financial Aid Office will begin importing 2026-27 FAFSA information in March 2026.
Federal Loan Updates
Key Changes to Federal Student Loans
Harvard Student Financial Services has put together an FAQ site to address questions regarding federal student loan changes as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act enacted in July 2025.
The changes to federal student loans will begin July 1, 2026. This impacts the 2026-27 academic year.
View details
Financial Aid Fact
Medical residency loans are available to help MD students in their graduating year meet the costs associated with required medical residency.
These include residency interview and travel expenses, as well as relocation expenses to the residency program.
Loan application time length, amount of loans, interest rate, and loan conditions vary by lender.
View residency loan options.
by Jimmy Chan
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Monthly Highlight
Budget Bites
When rotations run long and study nights stretch late, food can get expensive fast. Below are a few quick, realistic meal ideas to help keep costs down without adding stress to your schedule.
• Rice Cup: Start with a microwaveable rice cup. Add a handful of frozen edamame or peas and a drizzle of soy sauce or sesame oil. Microwave together for 60–90 seconds.
• Tortilla Mini-Pizza: Use a tortilla as the crust. Spread 1 spoon of pasta sauce + cheese + any leftover veggies. Toast or broil for 3–4 minutes.
• Soup: Take a basic can of soup and add a handful of frozen vegetables or beans before heating.
• Yogurt Parfait: Buy a large tub of plain yogurt. Layer with frozen berries and granola.