Working Hours: 8:00 to 5:00 Monday to Friday
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Mrs. Beatriz De León Rivera
Financial Aid Director
Office #15
787 743-3038 Ext. 268
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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Mrs. Frances A. Casillas
Financial Aid Officer
Office #16
787 743-3038 Ext. 206
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
The purpose of Financial Aid Office (FAO) is to aid qualified students to obtain the financial resources they need to pay their cost of attendance. Students may be eligible for the following financial aid options, according to their academic study program:
Financial Aid Programs:
Pell Grant
A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree. The amount you get, though, will depend not only on your financial need, but also on your costs to attend school, your status as a full-time or part-time student, and your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less. The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds a student may receive over his or her lifetime is limited by a new federal law to be the equivalent of six years of Pell Grant funding. Since the maximum amount of Pell Grant funding a student can receive each year is equal to 100%, the six-year equivalent is 600%.
Direct Loans
The U.S. Department of Education’s federal student loan program is the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program. Under this program, the U.S. Department of Education is your lender. The available options under this program are:
- Direct Subsidized Loans - made to eligible undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need to help cover the costs of higher education.
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans - made to eligible undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, but eligibility is not based on financial need. Graduate and professional students may be eligible to receive up to $20,500 per academic year, according to the cost of attendance. Qualified medical students enrolled in an accredited program, may be eligible to receive a maximum of $40,500 in Unsubsidized Loan per academic year.
- Graduate Plus Loan: This is a low fixed-interest loan for graduate and professional students to cover their cost of attendance. The Graduate Plus Loan requires a credit verification.
All loan programs have fixed interest rates and origination fees. As part of the application process, you must submit a master promissory note online, and complete an electronic entrance counseling at StudentLoans.gov.
Important consideration when taking out federal student loans
Before you take out a loan, it’s important to understand that a loan is a legal obligation that makes you responsible for repaying the amount you borrow with interest. Even though you don’t have to begin repaying your federal student loan right away, you shouldn’t wait to understand your responsibilities as a borrower. Be a responsible borrower.
- Keep track of how much you’re borrowing. Think about how the amount of your loans will affect your future finances, and how much you can afford to repay. Your student loan payments should be only a small percentage of your salary after you graduate, so it’s important not to borrow more than you need for your school-related expenses.
- Research starting salaries in your field. Ask your school for starting salaries of recent graduates in your field of study to get an idea of how much you are likely to earn after you graduate.
- Understand the terms of your loan and keep copies of your loan documents. When you sign your promissory note, you are agreeing to repay the loan according to the terms of the note even if you don’t complete your education, can’t get a job after you complete the program, or you didn’t like the education you received.
- Make payments on time. You are required to make payments on time even if you don’t receive a bill, repayment notice, or a reminder. You must pay the full amount required by your repayment plan, as partial payments do not fulfill your obligation to repay your student loan on time.
- Keep in touch with your loan servicer. Notify your loan servicer when you graduate; withdraw from school; drop below half-time status; transfer to another school; or change your name, address, or Social Security number. You also should contact your servicer if you’re having trouble making your scheduled loan payments. Your servicer has several options available to help you keep your loan in good standing.
Other Financial Aid Options
Veteran educational and training benefits
The San Juan Bautista School of Medicine is approved by the Puerto Rico State Approving Agency to provide academic training to students under the various GI Bill® programs.
Validation of prior credit/hours from previous studies:
Applicants applying under the veteran educational benefits who have previous studies at other institutions must request credit validation in accordance with SJBSM’s transfer policy and procedures. SJBSM will ensure that has a result of the validation of credit/hours from previous studies, the cost and duration of the program will be reduced proportionately. The School Certifying Official (SCO) will ascertain that applicants applying under the veteran educational benefits who have previous studies at another institution submit official transcripts from all institutions previously attended, including but not limited to the Joint Service Transcript (JST).
The applicant
Title 38 US Code 3679(e) Section 103 PL 115-407 (31 or 33)
In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679(e) Section 103 PL 115-407, effective August 1, 2019, SJBSM has adopted the following additional provisions for any student using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits:
- Any applicant recipient of veteran educational benefits is responsible for submitting the corresponding documents before the first day of classes. SJBSM will allow enrolled recipients to attend and/or participate in the enrolled courses during the period that begins on the date in which the student provides SJBSM the certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 and ending on the earlier of the following dates:
- The date on which payment from VA is made to SJBSM
- Ninety (90) days after the date SJBSM certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.
Note: A “Certificate of Eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website eBenefits, or, a VAF 28-1905 form for Chapter 31 authorization purposes.
- While payment to the institution is pending from VA, SJBSM will not:
- Prevent the student’s enrollment; o Assess a late penalty fee to the student;
- Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding;
- Deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.
However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:
- Produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class;
- Provide a written request to be certified;
- Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
SJBSM has set in place the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (refer to page 94) which applies to all students enrolled in our institution, regardless of the program and the funds used to pay institutional fees. SAP applies to students utilizing Veteran Education Benefits as defined by the Veterans Administration (VA). In order to meet SAP, students must comply with SAP in terms of approved credits, minimum grade point average, maximum time frame or maximum chronological time as established by each academic program offered at SJBSM.
Failure to do so will result in Veteran Academic Probation (VAP) being placed on the student’s record, restricting open registrations for future terms. Not meeting SAP may eventually restrict a student’s ability to use veteran education benefits at SJBSM.
Veteran Academic Probation (VAP)
A student will be placed on a Veteran Academic Probation (VAP) if the cumulative or term GPA, or if the completion of courses attempted falls below the established SAP of the academic program in which the student is enrolled. The VAP restricts registration, but does not prevent the student from enrolling in a subsequent term. The VAP policy requires that the student contact the School Certifying Official at SJBSM to be advised on the steps to have the VAP removed, and briefed on the possibility of being placed on Veteran Benefit Denial (VBD) if SAP is not met while on VAP status. A student will be allowed to register while on VAP, but will be limited to one term at no more than 6 credits. If the student achieves the required cumulative and term GPA and reaches completion percentage required for all courses attempted, the VAP will be removed, allowing the student to register for future terms without restrictions.
Veteran Benefit Denial (VBD)
If while on a VAP, the student does not meet the minimum cumulative and term GPA and does not successfully complete the required percent of the courses attempted for that term, the student will be placed on a Veteran Benefit Denial (VBD). This action will be reported to the VA by SJBSM, School Certifying Official through the VA’s formal process. Once placed on VBD, the student will be denied the use of any and all VA benefits and will be responsible for payment of tuition and fees. SJBSM will not certify for veteran education benefits under any chapter while
on a VBD. Students on a VBD may continue to take courses at SJBSM via alternate funding sources, such as financial aid. The VBD will be removed and upgraded to VAP when the cumulative and term GPA and completion of the required percentage for all courses attempted is reached, allowing the student once again to utilize veteran education benefits at SJBSM. The institution will retroactively certify these successful courses after the grade is posted.
Appealing a Veteran Benefit Denial (VBD)
A student can appeal a VBD decision with the Office of Veteran Affairs, and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information contact our School Certifying Officer (SCO) Nildalee Meléndez at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit https://benefits.va.gov/benefits/
Vocational Rehabilitation Program: This program seeks to help students with physical or mental disabilities, so that through various phases or stages they can develop their capabilities. The students must contact the regional office corresponding to the area where he/she lives.
National Health Services Corps Scholarship Program: available for students in the primary health care specialties and committed to serving part or their entire career in federally designated health professional shortage area. Learn more about this program at nhsc.hrsa.gov/scholarships/
Military Scholarship Programs: SJBSM is a proud signer of the Department of Defense Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (the DoD MOU). If you intend to use a DoD education benefit (Federal or State Tuition Assistance) you must start this process with your unit Educational Service Officer (ESO) or your military counselor.
Eligibility for the Tuition Assistance program depends on your branch of service. Students must contact the desired program for more information at:
Application Process for Financial Aid
Students interested in applying for federal financial aid, must comply with the following requirements and process:
- Have financial need.
- Be an US Citizen or an Eligible Non-Citizen (present evidence upon request) Have a valid Social Security number (present evidence upon request) § Enroll in an eligible program as a regular student working toward a degree.
- Meet satisfactory academic progress standards
- Register (or have registered) with the Selective Service if you are a male between the ages of 18 and 25
- Certify that they are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a Federal student grant
- Student must not exceed the aggregate loan limit established by the Department of Education
- Comply with the Entrance Interview/Counseling.
- Provide all the documents and information required by the Financial Aid Office and
Admissions Office no later than a week prior to enrollment
- First time applicants at SJBSM must complete an Electronic Entrance Counseling, and a
Master Promissory Note at www.studentaid.gov.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be evaluated for eligibility for federal funds at gov. o Deadline for submission is April 15th o SJBSM School code is G31773. o Enter your name as it appears on your Social Security card.
- Be sure to enter updated information (address, phone number, email, etc.).
- You need an FSA ID to sign your To request an FSA ID, please access http://www.pin.ed.gov.
Need analysis: once you submit your FAFSA, the U. S. Department of Education will send an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) to the Financial Aid Office, which will be used for the evaluation and need analysis.
As part of the analysis, the Financial Aid Office (FAO) will take in consideration the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is the amount that the student should contribute towards his/her cost of education. The need analysis consists of the following basic calculation:
(Cost of attendance) minus (EFC) equals (Financial Need)
The FAO will consider any other expected financial aid (external funds such as Vocational Rehabilitation, military scholarships, and any other grant or scholarship) when calculating the financial aid need. The student cannot receive financial assistance more than the determined financial need.
Notification of Award: the student will receive a Notification of Award with the application forms that must be completed and submitted to the Financial Aid Office. Direct Loan applicants must complete a master promissory note and the electronic entrance counseling at studentaid.gov
Verification Process
Verification is the process by which certain required data reported on the FAFSA is reviewed for accuracy and completeness. The FAO will verify the application selected by the Department of Education, except in the case of an applicant who is eligible to receive only Unsubsidized student financial assistance.
Otherwise, FAFSA applications selected for verification by the Department of Education will be verified in the following items:
- Adjusted Gross Income
- Taxes paid
- Specific untaxed income items from tax return: untaxed IRA distribution, untaxed pensions, education credits, IRA deductions, tax exempt interest) Number in college
- Child support, Food Stamps
- Other items required by the Department of Education
In such cases, the student is required to submit the following documents to the FAO, within a deadline for submission:
- Verification Worksheet (provided by the Financial Aid Office)
- Copy of the corresponding Tax Return
- Copy of the corresponding W-2 form(s)
- Evidence of wages, salaries, tips, etc., reported on FAFSA
- Other documents that may be required
If the student/parents are not required to file an Income Tax Return (IRS), they will be required to complete and sign a Certification of Income, provided by the Financial Aid Office, among other documentation.
Note: Financial aid will not be processed until the verification is completed. Satisfactory Academic Progress Policies
Federal regulations require that every student who receives federal financial aid maintain a satisfactory academic progress toward the achievement of a degree. Progress is measure by the student’s cumulative grade point average and credits earned in relation to those attempted and the length of the academic program. Please, read the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy included in Student’s Manual.
Title IV Federal Programs Funds Reimbursement Policy
This policy will apply to students that participate in the Title IV Federal Programs who, after initiating classes, withdraw, or are dismissed from the school within the sixty per cent (60%) of the semester’s term. This is a mandatory policy in accordance with the changes of the 1998 Reauthorization Law to the Higher Education Act, as amended, and is in force for all withdrawals and dismisses that come about in or after October 7, 2000.
Student Refund Policy: https://www.sanjuanbautista.edu/images/pdf/ExecutiveOrders/99-02.pdf
Federal Funds Reimbursement Policy: https://www.sanjuanbautista.edu/images/pdf/ExecutiveOrders/2001-01.pdf
Electronic Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note:
Students must complete an Electronic Counseling and the Master Promissory Note for DL Loans at studentaid.gov. Students are also required to complete an Electronic Exit Counseling before the student changes his/her status from the school (graduation, withdrawal, or dismissal). More information and instructions regarding this process will be provided to the student with the notification.
Students with loans from other school
Students with loans from other school(s), must contact his/her servicer(s) to request a deferment for the loan(s). To keep track of all your federal loans, access the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) at nslds.ed.gov, the central database for federal student aid. You’ll need to use your FSA ID to access your information.
Important Links and Numbers:
