118 Russell Hall     570-484-2344     E-mail your questions to: sfs@lhup.edu       

Master of Health Science/Physician Assistant in Rural Primary Care

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM


The Physician Assistant in Rural Primary Care program is a 24-month graduate curriculum awarding the Master of Health Science (MHS) degree as well as a Physician Assistant certificate in Rural Primary Care. A new class of physician assistant students begins each May. The students attend classes for 24 consecutive months, including summer sessions, earning their Master degrees in May at the end of the second year. (e.g. a student who begins in May 2008 will graduate in May 2010).


Types of Financial Aid

Federal Stafford Loan 

·         3 Loan Terms: 

  1. May through December

  2. January through July

  3. August through May

·         Maximum eligibility is $20,500,  combined subsidized and unsubsidized, per loan term.

Maximum subsidized eligibility, based on information provided on the FAFSA, is $8500 per loan term.

Federal GradPLUS Loan

·         3 Loan Terms: 

  1. May through December

  2. January through July

  3. August through May

·         Maximum eligibility is equal to cost of attendance minus other estimated financial assistance.

·         Students must first apply for their maximum eligibility under the Federal Stafford Loan program.

·         Students with adverse credit histories may apply along with a credit worthy co-signer.

Alternative Loans

               Alternative loan programs offer a variety of financing options to students.  Loan amounts,
      interest rates, and payment options vary depending on the type and level of participation in
      a program.  Students who are interested in additional information should contact the lenders
      listed.  This is not a complete list of such programs, but rather is intended as a sample of
      alternative sources of funding.

University Scholarships

·         University Scholarships are available through the LHU Foundation Office.

·         Students may also acquire specific information on eligibility and the application process via the LHUP Website at www.lhup.edu/foundation/index.htm.

Graduate Assistantships

·     Please direct all assistantship inquiries to the Coordinator of the Physician Assistant Program.
 

The Application Process 

FAFSA

      Every student interested in applying for a Federal Stafford Loan must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

·         Students will complete two FAFSAs during the length of the program (i.e. one prior to enrolling and another the following spring).

Federal Stafford Loan MPN

            ·         New Borrowers (i.e. students who have never borrowed a Federal Stafford
            Loan through before or who have paid in full any prior Stafford Loans)  

If the student indicated on the FAFSA that s/he was interested in student loans, LHUP will automatically pre-certify a Federal Stafford Loan for him or her.  Once the loan is pre-certified, AES/PHEAA will send the student instructions for completing an online Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN).  The student must complete the online MPN soon as possible to ensure timely delivery of loan funds.

Because Federal Stafford Loans through AES/PHEAA are processed most expediently, all students, including those from states other than Pennsylvania, are strongly encouraged to obtain their Stafford Loans through AES/PHEAA.  However, students may elect to obtain their loans through other guarantors.  Students who wish to use another guarantor should contact Student Financial Services for information about the non-AES/PHEAA loan process.

First-time Federal Stafford Loan borrowers must complete an online entrance counseling session before their loans can be disbursed. Students may access the session online at www.aessuccess.org. NOTE: The session may be completed at any time, even before the student enrolls.

If the student indicated on the FAFSA that s/he was interested in student loans, LHUP will automatically pre-certify a Federal Stafford Loan for him or her.  If the student already has a valid AES/PHEAA Master Promissory Note (MPN), no further action is necessary.  Students may contact AES/PHEAA Loan Division at 1-800-692-7392 to determine if they have a valid MPN on file. The MPN can be used repeatedly; therefore, students need only complete one MPN.

Because Federal Stafford Loans through AES/PHEAA are processed most expediently, all students, including those from states other than Pennsylvania, are strongly encouraged to obtain their Stafford Loans through AES/PHEAA.  However, students may elect to obtain their loans through other guarantors.  Students who wish to use another guarantor should contact Student Financial Services for information about the non-AES/PHEAA loan process.