Duke School of Medicine places a high priority on need-based financial assistance for its students with a particular emphasis on grants and alternative loan programs. Duke maintains a strict policy of selecting candidates without regard to their ability to pay for medical school.
The decision to attend a high-cost private medical school should involve the entire family. For purposes of the schools' need based funds, the student is not viewed as financially independent of parents. Individual students (and spouses, if married) and their parents have the primary responsibility for financing the cost of a medical education at Duke. Parental information will be used to determine grant eligibility each year of enrollment. Duke looks at both natural parents for purposes of determining Duke-need based financial aid for a student with divorced or separated parents.
For more information about Scholarships and Financial Literacy, visit Office of Financial Aid and Student Financial Planning
Third Year Financial Information
Third Year Scholarship Opportunities - Internal and External Scholarship Information
Cost of Attendance
Estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) for Doctor of Medicine Program Year 1
| Term | Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 | Total |
| Months | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| Term Start Date | 7/29/2024 | 1/28/2025 | |
| Term End Date | 1/27/2025 | 7/1/2025 | |
| Direct Cost - Billed by Bursar | |||
| Tuition | $ 35,096 | $ 35,095 | $ 70,191 |
| Health Fee | $ 484 | $ 836 | $ 1,320 |
| Government Dues | $ 63 | $ 62 | $ 125 |
| Graduate Student Activity Fee | $ 18 | $ 19 | $ 37 |
| Graduate Student Services Fee | $ 12 | $ 12 | $ 24 |
| Lab Fee | $ 300 | $ 300 | |
| Drug/Alcohol Screening Fee | $ 125 | $ 125 | |
| Recreation Fee | $ 187 | $ 187 | $ 374 |
| Technology Fee | $ 2,410 | $ 2,410 | |
| Transcript Fee | $ 120 | $ 120 | |
| Total Direct Cost | $ 38,815 | $ 36,211 | $ 75,026 |
| Indirect Cost | |||
| Books & Instruments | $ 200 | $ 200 | |
| Estimated Loan Fees | $ 382 | $ 381 | $ 763 |
| Food | $ 2,820 | $ 2,820 | $ 5,640 |
| Housing | $ 9,012 | $ 9,012 | $ 18,024 |
| Miscellaneous | $ 2,844 | $ 2,844 | $ 5,688 |
| Transportation | $ 1,356 | $ 1,356 | $ 2,712 |
| Total Indirect Cost "Living Expenses" | $ 16,614 | $ 16,413 | $ 33,027 |
| Cost of Attendance | $ 55,429 | $ 52,624 | $108,053 |
| Monthly "Refundable" Expense Breakdown | |||
| Food | $ 470 | ||
| Housing | $ 1,502 | ||
| Miscellaneous | $ 474 | ||
| Transportation | $ 226 | ||
| Total Indirect Cost "Living Expense" | $ 2,672 |
Estimated Cost of Attendance for Doctor of Medicine Program Year 1 $108,053
If a student is billed Health Insurance, this amount will be in added to the Cost of Attendance Budget mid-September. Financial Aid will be re-calculated and an updated financial aid notification will be generated.
First year students will be billed the summer health fee in the spring 2025 term.
Estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) for Doctor of Medicine Program Year 2
| Term | Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Total |
| Months | 5 | 4 | 3 | 12 |
| Term Start Date | 7/29/2024 | 1/6/2025 | 5/5/2025 | |
| Term End Date | 12/6/2024 | 4/25/2025 | 8/22/2025 | |
| Direct Cost - Billed by Bursar | ||||
| Tuition | $ 23,397 | $ 23,397 | $ 23,397 | $ 70,191 |
| Health Fee | $ 484 | $ 484 | $ 352 | $ 1,320 |
| Government Dues | $ 63 | $ 62 | $ 125 | |
| Graduate Student Activity Fee | $ 18 | $ 19 | $ 37 | |
| Graduate Student Services Fee | $ 12 | $ 12 | $ 24 | |
| Recreation Fee | $ 187 | $ 187 | $ 374 | |
| Technology Fee | $ 895 | $ 895 | $ 1,790 | |
| Total Direct Cost - Tuition/Fees | $ 25,056 | $ 25,056 | $ 23,749 | $ 73,861 |
| Indirect Cost | ||||
| Books & Instruments | $ 100 | $ 100 | ||
| Estimated Loan Fees | $ 263 | $ 263 | $ 263 | $ 789 |
| Food | $ 2,350 | $ 1,880 | $ 1,410 | $ 5,640 |
| Housing | $ 7,510 | $ 6,008 | $ 4,506 | $ 18,024 |
| Miscellaneous | $ 2,370 | $ 1,896 | $ 1,422 | $ 5,688 |
| Transportation | $ 1,130 | $ 904 | $ 678 | $ 2,712 |
| Exam Fees | $ 660 | $ 660 | ||
| Total Indirect Cost "Living Expenses" | $ 13,723 | $ 10,951 | $ 8,939 | $ 33,613 |
| Cost of Attendance | $ 38,779 | $ 36,007 | $ 32,688 | $107,474 |
| Monthly "Refundable" Expense Breakdown | ||||
| Food | $ 470 | |||
| Housing | $ 1,502 | |||
| Miscellaneous | $ 474 | |||
| Transportation | $ 226 | |||
| Total Indirect Cost "Living Expense" | $ 2,672 |
ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE FOR DOCTOR OF MEDICINE PROGRAM YEAR 2 $107,474
If a student is billed Health Insurance, this amount will be in added to the Cost of Attendance Budget mid-September. Financial Aid will be re-calculated and an updated financial aid notification will be generated.
Estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) for Doctor of Medicine Program Year 3
| Term | Fall 2024 | Spring 2024 | Summer 2024 | Total |
| Months | 4 | 4 | 4 | 12 |
| Term Start Date | 8/19/2024 | 1/6/2025 | 5/5/2025 | |
| Term End Date | 12/6/2024 | 5/2/2025 | 8/8/2025 | |
| Direct Cost - Billed by Bursar | ||||
| Tuition | $ 23,397 | $ 23,397 | $ 23,397 | $ 70,191 |
| Health Fee | $ 484 | $ 484 | $ 352 | $ 1,320 |
| Government Dues | $ 63 | $ 62 | $ 125 | |
| Graduate Student Activity Fee | $ 18 | $ 19 | $ 37 | |
| Graduate Sutdent Services Fee | $ 12 | $ 12 | $ 24 | |
| Recreation Fee | $ 187 | $ 187 | $ 374 | |
| Technology Fee | $ 1,050 | $ 1,050 | $ 2,100 | |
| Total Direct Cost - Tuition/Fees | $ 25,211 | $ 25,211 | $ 23,749 | $ 74,171 |
| Indirect Cost | ||||
| Books & Instruments | $ 100 | $ 100 | ||
| Estimated Loan Fees | $ 215 | $ 215 | $ 215 | $ 645 |
| Food | $ 1,880 | $ 1,880 | $ 1,880 | $ 5,640 |
| Housing | $ 6,008 | $ 6,008 | $ 6,008 | $ 18,024 |
| Miscellaneous | $ 1,896 | $ 1,896 | $ 1,896 | $ 5,688 |
| Transportation | $ 904 | $ 904 | $ 904 | $ 2,712 |
| Exam Fees | $ 660 | $ 660 | ||
| Total Indirect Cost "Living Expenses" | $ 11,663 | $ 10,903 | $ 10,903 | $ 33,469 |
| Cost of Attendance | $ 36,874 | $ 36,114 | $ 34,652 | $107,640 |
| Monthly "Refundable" Expense Breakdown | ||||
| Food | $ 470 | |||
| Housing | $ 1,502 | |||
| Miscellaneous | $ 474 | |||
| Transportation | $ 226 | |||
| Total Indirect Cost "Living Expense" | $ 2,672 |
ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE FOR DOCTOR OF MEDICINE PROGRAM YEAR 3 $107,640
If a student is billed Health Insurance, this amount will be in added to the Cost of Attendance Budget mid-September. Financial Aid will be re-calculated and an updated financial aid notification will be generated.
Estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) for Doctor of Medicine Program Year 4
| Term | Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 | Total |
| Months | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Term Start Date | 8/19/2024 | 1/6/2025 | |
| Term End Date | 12/6/2024 | 4/25/2025 | |
| Direct Cost - Billed by Bursar | |||
| Tuition | $ 35,096 | $ 35,095 | $70,191 |
| Health Fee | $ 484 | $ 484 | $ 968 |
| Government Dues | $ 63 | $ 62 | $ 125 |
| Graduate Student Activity Fee | $ 18 | $ 19 | $ 37 |
| Graduate Student Services Fee | $ 12 | $ 12 | $ 24 |
| Recreation Fee | $ 187 | $ 187 | $ 374 |
| Technology Fee | $ 1,050 | $ 1,050 | $ 2,100 |
| Total Direct Cost - Tuition/Fees | $ 36,910 | $ 36,909 | $73,819 |
| Indirect Cost | |||
| Books & Instruments | $ 100 | $ 100 | |
| Estimated Loan Fees | $ 375 | $ 375 | $ 750 |
| Food | $ 1,880 | $ 1,880 | $ 3,760 |
| Housing | $ 6,008 | $ 6,008 | $12,016 |
| Miscellaneous | $ 1,896 | $ 1,896 | $ 3,792 |
| Transportation | $ 904 | $ 904 | $ 1,808 |
| Res Application Expense | $ 2,000 | $ 2,000 | |
| Total Indirect Cost "Living Expenses" | $ 13,163 | $ 11,063 | $24,226 |
| Cost of Attendance | $ 50,073 | $ 47,972 | $98,045 |
| Monthly "Refundable" Expense Breakdown | |||
| Food | $ 470 | ||
| Housing | $ 1,502 | ||
| Miscellaneous | $ 474 | ||
| Transportation | $ 226 | ||
| Total Indirect Cost "Living Expense" | $ 2,672 |
ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE FOR DOCTOR OF MEDICINE PROGRAM YEAR 4 $98,045
If a student is billed Health Insurance, this amount will be in added to the Cost of Attendance Budget mid-September. Financial Aid will be re-calculated and an updated financial aid notification will be generated.
Financial Aid Timeline
| Financial Aid Timeline 2024-2025 MED Year 1 | ||
| February | Admissions Offer | |
| April | 8 - 15 | Financial Aid awards emailed to students |
| June | 15 | Deadline to notify Admissions of decision |
| June | 15 | Access to on-line acceptance of aid open to matriculated students |
| July | 1 | Complete all checklist items on DukeHub (ie. entrance counseling, signing the MPN) |
| July | 1 | Sign up for direct deposit on DukeHub |
| July | 19 | Federal financial aid awards for fall term disburse into student's bursar account |
| July | 29 | Fall term classes begin |
| July | 29 | *Refunds are processed during the first week of class for the fall term |
| January | 20 | Federal financial aid awards for spring term disburse into student's bursar account |
| January | 27 | Fall term ends |
| January | 28 | Spring term classes begin |
| January | 28 | *Refunds are processed during the first week of class for the spring term |
| June | 15 | Request for remaining federal loan eligibility due |
| July | 1 | Spring term ends |
| * | Students should add 3 - 5 business days to the "refund - student" transaction date for the refund amount to be deposited into the student's designated direct deposit account |
| Financial Aid Timeline 2023-2024 - MED Year 1 | ||
| February | Admissions Offer | |
| April | Financial Aid awards (early April) | |
| June | 15 | Access to on-line acceptance of aid open to matriculated students |
| July | 15 | Deadline to notify Admissions of decision |
| July | 15 | Complete all checklist items on DukeHub (ie. entrance counseling, signing the MPN) |
| July | 15 | Sign up for direct deposit on DukeHub |
| July | 22 | Federal financial aid awards for fall term disburse into student's bursar account |
| August | 1 | Fall term classes begin |
| August | 1 | *Refunds are processed during the first week of class for the fall term |
| November | 9 | Return of excess loan funds to qualify for 120 days (no interest/no loan fee) - fall financial aid loans |
| January | 21 | Federal financial aid awards for spring term disburse into student's bursar account |
| January | 30 | Fall term ends |
| January | 31 | Spring term classes begin |
| January | 31 | *Refunds are processed during the first week of class for the spring term |
| May | 11 | Return of excess loan funds to qualify for 120 days (no interest/no loan fee) - spring financial aid loans |
| June | 15 | Request for remaining federal loan eligibility due |
| June | 30 | Spring term ends |
| * | Students should add 3 - 5 business days to the "refund - student" transaction date for the refund amount to be deposited into the student's designated direct deposit account | |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How and when should I accept my loans?
A: You will accept your loans through Duke Hub under Financials. After accepting your loans make sure that you have completed mandatory Entrance Counseling and signed your MPN (Master Promissory Note) on the studentaid.gov website to complete the process.
A: In order for the loans to show as anticipated aid on your billing statement, you should accept your aid by the week of June 14. To avoid late fees accept your loans before the billing due date. Once you accept your loans, the Bursar can see that you have anticipated aid and that aid is forthcoming.
Q: My loans are scheduled to disburse after the tuition due date. What should I do?
A: Once you accept your loans, the Bursar can see you have anticipated aid and your billing statement will calculate the amount you need to pay. If you have accepted enough to cover your bill then you will not have to pay the Bursar. The Bursar will send bills for the fall term the week of June 21st with a due date of first business day in August.. For the complete billing schedule visit the Bursar’s website.
Q: What if I don’t know how much loan I need to borrow?
A: Many students do not know what their budget will be at the time loans are accepted. If you are unsure, we recommend you take out the full amount of loan you have been offered. Students have up to 120 days from the date the loan is disbursed to return unneeded funds. There is no interest accrual or penalty if returned within the 120 days. Once you select accept, you may also decrease the amount yourself if you would like to borrow less. Keep in mind the total of your loans will disburse over the number of semesters in your academic year.
Q: How do I return excess loan funds?
A: Email the Office of Financial Aid indicating the amount you would like to return.
Finaid-som@dm.duke.edu Once the loan has been adjusted, you will see the balance due on your Bursar tab-account activity. You can make an e-check payment via the Bursar’s site. https://finance.duke.edu/bursar
Q: What is the contact information for Direct Lending?
A: Sign into your Direct Loan account at https://studentaid.gov/ .
Q: I received an external scholarship. Who do I report this to and what will happen to my current award?
A: You can notify us through DukeHub or email the School of Medicine Financial Aid Office Finaid-som@dm.duke.edu. Please indicate your student ID, the name of the scholarship, the amount of the scholarship, and if the funds will be for the fall term or the academic year. The funds will first reduce loan in your financial aid package and then need-based scholarship if all loans have been replaced.
Q: How do I find out general information about my bill (when is statement mailed, how do I change billing address, and what should I do if I don’t receive a bill?
A: Bursar FAQ.
Q: Who can help me understand my bill?
A: Bills are prepared by the Bursar, you can contact the Bursar’s Office at 919-684-3531 or visit the Bursar’s website.
Q: When will I get my refund?
A: If a student has a credit on their account after all required tuition and fees have been paid, they will be issued a refund. Refunds are processed the first week of class.
Q: What is the quickest way for me to get my refund?
A: We recommend all students sign-up for direct deposit. Direct deposit information can be found under the Forms & Requests tab on your Duke Hub or visit the Bursar’s website.
Q: How long does it take for me to see the refund once I see it has been refunded on DukeHub?
A: It typically takes up to 5 business days for the funds to show in your bank account after it has been issued. It is important to accept your loan, complete the required Entrance Counseling and sign your MPN (Master Promissory Note), and submit the direct deposit form allowing at least a two week window for processing.
Q: I am running out of money, how can I find out when I will receive my next refund?
A: These dates are listed on your Duke Hub account. Look at Financials and then View Financials Aid make sure to select the aid year.
Q: How do I know if anything is missing so there is no delay in my financial aid disbursing?
A: Track this information on your Duke Hub account under your financial aid “To Do” list.
Q: Where can I get a copy of my financial aid letter for my apartment rental application?
A: You can find a copy of your financial aid award letter in Duke Hub or use the original email with your financial aid information.
Q: Does DukeHub have instructions on how to navigate through the portal?
A: DukeHub has a Financial Aid & Bursar “How To” section that is very helpful.
TRANSPORTATION
Q: How does financial aid help with transportation expenses?
A: The cost of attendance includes a monthly amount to assist with transportation expenses.
Q: Can financial aid help with vehicle payments?
A: Federal Regulations prohibit including personal vehicle payments in the cost of attendance budget.
Q: What do I do if the amount of transportation given in the cost of attendance isn’t enough to cover the use of my vehicle?
A: Our office can review your expenses regarding travel by sending you a worksheet to input your vehicle year, make, model, starting address, ending address and the number of days driven during the week. The information will allow us to determine if we can increase the cost of attendance to assist with these expenses.
HOUSING
Q: What is the amount included in the COA for housing?
A: The monthly amount listed for housing for the 2023/2024 aid year is $1,448
Q: What if my portion of the rent or mortgage exceeds the amount listed in the COA?
A: Contact our office to inquire about a possible increase in the housing amount in the COA. Our office will require documentation showing the current amount of housing expense.
OTHER EXPENSES
Q: Are there other circumstances that would allow your office to make adjustments (increases) to the Cost of Attendance Budget?
A: Please review our Professional Judgment Statement and Review Form
Doctor of Medicine - International and Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
The School of Medicine will make available funding for a need-based grant program in 2023-2024 for international and DACA-eligible MD students. Individual grant amount is dependent on the student determined need, number of applicants, and amount of funding available.
Parental or sponsor support- based on need analysis, parents and/or sponsors may be expected to contribute to the student’s cost of education. Parental financial analysis will demonstrate the ability to contribute not necessarily the willingness to contribute which is the same criterion used for U. S. students. Please submit in English the local equivalent of a U. S. tax return from the applicant’s home country if applicable. If this does not exist, you should submit a statement from the employer confirming all income. International and DACA students can then choose to borrow from outside sources to cover this expected contribution.
The grant funding is limited to four years. Students taking extra research years and/or extended fourth years will need to seek funding from private loan sources.
Due Dates: April 1, 2023
- CSS Profile
Required for students applying for need-based scholarship funding. School code 5152 - *Student Non-filing Statement
Required for students applying for need-based scholarship funding - *International Business Supplement
Required for students applying for need-based scholarship funding - *Income Statement Parents Living Abroad
Required for students applying for need-based scholarship funding
*Documents should be sent directly to the financial aid office. The documents can be faxed to 919-684-0251 or emailed to finaid-som@dm.duke.edu.
Caveats to this proposal:
- The School of Medicine cannot guarantee meeting 100% of demonstrated need with Duke funds alone. Students may still need to seek alternative loan programs. Currently we keep a list of recommended lenders (vetted through our process to assure reliability on service, pricing and availability). The School of medicine Grant portion of the financial aid package is dependent upon the number of international/DACA student financial aid applications received from each class. Grant that has been awarded to an incoming student that withdraws is returned to the pool of funding and redistributed to eligible applicants.
- Typically application materials are ready by mid-January for the following academic year of funding. Students must apply by the April 1st deadline.
- All other financial aid policies regarding cost of attendance, outside scholarships and awards will be the same for international/DACA students as for our other students.
For additional information about aid for international or DACA students, please see some websites listed below:
Meet the School's Largest Scholarship Donor
Meet the man behind the single largest commitment for financial aid ever made to the School of Medicine — $30 million to establish an endowment for need-based financial aid for medical students. Dudley Rauch, an alumnus with deep ties to Duke, established the first all-inclusive scholarship in the School of Medicine in 2013. In early 2018 he began discussions with university and school leaders about opportunities to make an even more transformational gift for financial aid. Those talks were cut short when Rauch unexpectedly died in July of 2018. Now, the Rauch Family Foundation has completed the work he began.