Tuition and Financial Aid

Office of Financial Affairs

Financial Appeals

If a student has a financial account concern and wishes to appeal the financial decision, a written appeal must be filed with the Office of Financial Affairs within two academic terms from the term in question in order for the appeal to be considered. The Office of Financial Affairs will investigate the situation and will consult with other offices as needed, including the Office of the Registrar, the Office of Student Financial Aid and the student’s program.

A decision will be rendered within one month from the time the appeal was received, and the student will be notified in writing. If the decision is not in the favor of the student, the student may file a written appeal with the Office of the vice provost, Student Affairs. The decision of the vice provost, Student Affairs is final.

Payment of Tuition and Fees

The following is the payment policy for all Rush University students:

Charges should be viewed and payment for tuition, fees and on-campus housing can be completed through the Rush University Portal, the University’s online system. Online payments can be made by credit, debit card or e-check. Students can also mail checks, money orders or cashier’s checks to the Office of Financial Affairs or submit credit or debit card payments by calling the Office of Financial Affairs. There is a 2.5 percent processing fee for any credit or debit card payment. If full tuition payment cannot be made by the first Friday of the term, as listed in the academic calendar located in the Rush University Catalog, satisfactory arrangements for payment must be made with the Office of Financial Affairs. Students may not attend classes until registration is complete. Any exception to this policy must be approved in writing by the senior vice provost, Student Affairs.

Students have the responsibility to complete one, or a combination of, the following courses of action on or before the first Friday of classes each term:

1.  Pay total tuition, fees and on-campus housing charges for the term.
2. Complete a deferred payment plan contract. This plan requires the first payment and a $15 service charge to be paid on or before the first Friday of the term. Additional payments are due every four weeks (up to four payments total). Contact the Office of Financial Affairs via email to set up a payment plan prior to the first day of class.
3. Use the pending financial aid payment option. All students who have financial aid pending will be allowed to defer payment of the portion of tuition and fees that is covered by the anticipated aid. In order to use this option, students must have taken all steps required of them to apply for the aid (e.g., the application for a guaranteed student loan program must have been completed and submitted to the Office of Student Financial Aid, loan entrance counseling, promissory notes and origination forms). In order to avoid a late-fee charge, students must make arrangements for payments of that portion of tuition and fees not covered with pending aid by completing Steps 1 or 2 above.

Failure to follow one of the steps above will result in a $100 late fee. A $50 late payment fee will be assessed for each missed payment to students who choose the deferred payment plan contract and fail to make a payment on the specified due dates.

At the end of the academic term, students who still have outstanding Rush University balances that are not covered by pending financial aid will:

• Receive a hold on their student account
• Not receive transcripts/diplomas
• Lose all University privileges
• Not be allowed to register for the following term

Student Health Insurance

Rush University requires students to be covered by a health insurance plan in order to promote health and well-being while protecting the individual from undue financial hardship that a medical emergency could cause. Non-Rush Medical College students may opt out of the student health insurance by providing proof of existing coverage before registering for their first term and then every fall term thereafter.  All communication from the Office of Financial Affairs regarding student health insurance open enrollment and waiver periods are sent to Rush email addresses. Students are expected to check their Rush email account regularly and take action during those periods regarding submitting waivers or enrolling in the student health insurance.

Students who do not submit proof of alternate coverage will automatically be enrolled in the student health insurance plan and charged the premiums for the term. All students enrolled in degree programs are eligible for the student health insurance plan offered by Academic Health Plans and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois.

For the 2019-2020 school year, the cost of the student health insurance plan is approximately $3,817 per academic year for single coverage. Coverage is also available for dependents at the rate of $3,817 annually per dependent. This plan allows students to choose a primary care physician from a large list of members of the preferred provider organization, or PPO, plan in the greater Chicago area. When using an in-network provider, there is an annual deductible of $250 and coverage of 80 percent for most patient services, including hospitalization and surgery, as well as outpatient services such as office visits, laboratory and X-ray. Preventative care services are covered at 100 percent. When using a pharmacy in the Prime Therapeutics network, there is a $20 co-pay for generic prescriptions, a $50 copay for brand-name prescriptions and an $80 copay for brand-name prescriptions when generic is available.

An optional dental insurance plan is also available to all Rush University students. Details of the plan are available in the Office of Financial Affairs. Dental plan enrollment is available at the beginning of each term.

Student Plan Rates for the 2019-2020 Academic Year

Student accounts will be billed on a per-term basis for a prorated amount of the annual health insurance premiums. For example, the fall premiums will cover September through December and will be billed to your account at the beginning of the fall term.

Plan details are available in the Office of Financial Affairs or online at the Rush University Office of Student Financial Affairs web page.

Rush Medical College Students

A small portion of fees for Rush Medical College students has been allocated to the Medical Student Health Service Program, which is supported by Lifetime Medical Associates. The Medical Student Health Service Program is designed to work seamlessly with Rush University Health Insurance to provide medical students with acute care. By using Rush University Health Insurance, medical students receive an enhanced level of service and minimal billing issues, with a $20 fee per office visit. This will provide the type of student health service familiar to most students.

Additionally, all Rush Medical College students are covered under a blood and bodily fluids exposure rider. This works as a supplemental policy to any health insurance and covers treatment or medications necessary as the result of a needle stick, splash or potentially contagious disease exposure. Together with the basic Rush University Health Insurance policy, the rider will completely cover prophylactic medications or injections.

Rush Medical College students will be assessed a fee for vaccinations, immunizations and documentation. This fee covers any necessary blood tests, vaccinations or updates, as well as costs associated with maintaining the documentation of students’ compliance and communicating that information to the Rush System hospitals and any non-Rush locations that may request certification of immunization and vaccination status.

Tuition Refund Policy

Official withdrawal or dismissal from a course or from the University entitles a student to a refund of tuition according to the schedule below. Fees are not refundable. A student may receive a 100 percent refund if withdrawal occurs during the first calendar week of the term. Otherwise, refunds will be made as follows:

• Second week: 80 percent refund
• Third week: 60 percent refund
• Fourth week: 40 percent refund
• Fifth week: 20 percent refund
• After fifth week: no refund

Alternate Refund/Grading

This alternate refund/grading policy does not apply to Rush Medical College students.

Pure Compressed Weekend Course
(Friday/Saturday/Sunday without any pre-class or post-class work)

• Before first class meeting: 100 percent and will not be transcripted
• After first class meeting: no refund and W grade

Two-Week Course

• Before first class meeting: 100 percent and will not be transcripted
• Week 1: 50 percent refund and W grade
• Week 2: no refund and the grade earned in the course

Five-Week Course

• Before or during week 1: 100 percent and will not be transcripted
• Week 2: 50 percent and W grade
• Weeks 3-5: no refund and the grade earned in the course

Non-Tuition refunds

Student Health Insurance refunds

• Official withdrawal or dismissal from a course or from the University, and if you are enrolled in the student health insurance plan, you are responsible for 100 percent of the insurance charge posted on your student account for that term unless you submit a waiver for that term during the health insurance open enrollment and waiver period (this option is valid only for non- Medical College students).
• Leave of Absence, and if you are enrolled in the student health insurance plan, the Office of Student Financial Affairs, will confirm if you wish to remain enrolled in the student health insurance plan throughout your Leave of Absence. If you choose to remain enrolled in the student health insurance plan throughout your Leave of Absence, the charges will be posted on your student account for the effective terms of your Leave of Absence, and you are responsible for 100 percent of the insurance charge posted on your student account for all respective terms. If you choose not to remain enrolled in the student health insurance plan throughout your Leave of Absence, you will still be responsible for the insurance charge posted on your student account for the latest term attended, unless you provide proof of alternate coverage within the first two weeks of that term.
• Rush Medical students, please refer to the Tuition Refund Policy. However, if you choose to remain enrolled in the student health insurance plan throughout your Leave of Absence, the charges will be posted on your student account for the effective terms of your Leave of Absence, and you are responsible for 100 percent of the insurance charge posted on your student account for all respective terms.

Student Housing refunds

• Official withdrawal or dismissal from a course or from the University, and if you are residing at Tailor Lofts on the Rush floor, you are responsible for 100 percent of the rent charges posted on your student account for all respective terms of your sub-lease agreement.
• Leave of Absence, and if you are residing at Tailor Lofts on the Rush floor, you are responsible for 100 percent of the rent charges posted on your student account for all respective terms of your sub-lease agreement.

Refunds will be shown as credits on the student’s account. A check or direct deposit for the amount of refund, less any amount still owed for other charges, will be sent to the student. Normally, checks are processed within two weeks and mailed to the student’s address listed on the Rush University Portal. Students wishing to appeal the published schedule of refunds must appeal in writing to the vice provost, Student Affairs.

Tuition Waivers

Rush Medical College Students Enrolling in Courses at the Graduate College

Rush Medical College students who take a leave of absence from their MD program may enroll in courses at the Graduate College as part of a formal MS or PhD program, or simply for additional knowledge. Medical students are exempt (tuition waiver) from the additional tuition costs associated with enrollment in these classes.

Doctoral Students in the Graduate College

The Graduate College offers a full tuition scholarship for students enrolled in a doctoral program in the basic sciences (anatomy and cell biology, biomechanics, biochemistry, immunology/microbiology, medical physics, molecular biophysics and physiology, neuroscience and pharmacology). The scholarship is only for tuition. Health insurance and other fees are the student’s responsibility.

To receive this scholarship, students must maintain full-time status. A requirement of at least 12 hours per term is needed to be a full-time student. If a student fails to register for 12 hours each term, the scholarship is rescinded, and the student is responsible for paying the tuition. In addition, most students accepted by the Graduate College receive a stipend. The stipend awarded is a privilege and is contingent upon policies established by individual divisions. Stipends are processed by the Accounts Payable Department as received by the program.

Master of Science Students in the Graduate College

Students enrolled in master’s programs in the basic sciences (anatomy and cell biology, biochemistry, biomechanics, biotechnology, immunology/microbiology, medical physics, neuroscience and pharmacology) pay tuition and fees. Master’s students are generally not eligible for tuition scholarships and are expected to be enrolled full-time (12 hours per term) unless special arrangements have been made.

Third-Party Billing

If the student will not be personally paying their account, it is their responsibility to forward any bills to the appropriate party as soon as possible.

Tuition and Fees (2019-2020)

Tuition and fees for the 2019-2020 academic year are listed below. For estimates of other expenses, see the Office of Student Financial Aid website.

*Students should expect an annual increase in these tuition rates.

Students-at-large pay the per credit rates listed above

Full-Time Tuition Charges

Continuous Enrollment Fee

Admissions Fee

A non-refundable application fee is required of all applicants to offset the expense of processing the application, evaluating credentials and maintaining a library of evaluation aids. This fee does not apply to any other charges such as tuition.

Enrollment Deposit

The enrollment deposit fee holds a place for the student in the entering class. The deposit is non-refundable and is applied toward payment of the first term tuition with the exception of the College of Nursing. A $250 enrollment deposit is required for students in the College of Health Sciences. Rush Medical College students are required to pay $100 prior to matriculation. College of Nursing students and affiliated students must deposit $350 prior to matriculation. The enrollment deposit for PhD in nursing students is $350. The enrollment deposit for all basic sciences and biomedical research programs within the Graduate College is $250.

Late Registration Fee

Students must register during the official priority registration period. An additional $50 late registration fee will be applied to the student’s financial account if the student has not registered by the end of the day, one day prior to the start of the term.

Students who feel there are mitigating circumstances as to why the late registration fee should not be applied must first appeal to their advisor. If the advisor deems the information warrants repealing the late registration fee, the advisor must speak with the program director. If the program director concurs with the advisor, the program advisor will notify the Office of the Registrar in writing. The late fee will then be removed from the student’s financial account by the Office of Financial Affairs.

Continuous Enrollment Fee

Students enrolled in a noncredit residency or academic enrichment program prior to receipt of their degree must be registered for Continuous Enrollment in order to retain their student status. Any degree or certificate student not taking courses but needing to replace an outstanding incomplete grade must register for Continuous Enrollment until the grade is satisfied. This fee also applies to graduate students who have completed all courses but have not had their dissertation accepted.

Hospitalization or physician fees are not covered in this fee. Students auditing a course may be required to register for the continuous enrollment course (see Auditing a Course below).

Returned Checks

A $25 charge will be assessed each time a student gives the University a check that is returned by the bank marked “not sufficient funds,” “payment stopped” or “account closed.”

Rush Medical College Students and Tuition Charges

Rush Medical College students are charged for a maximum of four years of full-time tuition. Medical students needing additional terms to complete degree requirements will be charged the continuous enrollment fee. Though it may be possible for a medical student to complete all degree requirements prior to the spring term of the fourth year, a full four years of tuition charges must be paid prior to graduation.

Auditing a Course

Students who are registered in classes for credit and wish to audit a separate class or classes will not be charged for the audited course(s). If the student only wishes to audit one or more classes and will not be registered in any classes for credit for that term, the student must register in Continuous Enrollment and a charge of one credit hour will be assessed at the student’s normal tuition rate.

Office of Student Financial Aid

Financial Aid Process

Instructions for accessing financial aid information on the Rush University website are emailed to all newly accepted students prior to enrollment. The Student Financial Aid webpage contains in-depth information on policies, procedures and financial aid awarding methodology.

Students starting in a term other than fall should submit financial aid application materials at least two months prior to their start date. Students must be enrolled at least half-time and must be in a degree or approved certificate program to receive financial aid. To receive assistance, all appropriate forms and materials must be on file.

Students should expect to receive the majority of assistance in the form of loans. Because of limited institutional funding, financial aid awards will likely contain loans that accrue interest while the student is in school. For Rush Medical College students and College of Nursing students in the Generalist Entry Master’s program, need-based grant assistance is available through the Office of Student Financial Aid. However, the funds are limited. All Rush Medical College applicants who will be under 30 years old prior to the start of their program must provide parental data and meet the institutional criteria for eligibility. Visit the Office of Student Financial Aid webpage for details: www.rushu.rush.edu/office-student-financial-aid.

Undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s degree may be eligible to receive grant assistance through federal and state need-based programs. Employment through the Federal Work-Study program may be possible throughout Rush University Medical Center. Federal Work-Study will be awarded as part of the financial aid package. It is the student’s responsibility to secure employment. The Office of Student Financial Aid is available to assist students with locating jobs within the Medical Center.

Financial Aid Determination

Financial assistance programs at Rush University are provided to assist students who cannot otherwise afford to pay the full cost of education on their own. In general, financial need is the basic criterion for the awarding of funds. Accordingly, students and their families will be expected to contribute toward educational expenses to the fullest extent possible. The level of the expected contribution is determined by using a standard set of criteria to analyze financial information provided by students and their families.

Submission of parental data for institutional grants and loans is required for Rush Medical College students and any dependent undergraduate students. Complete information about this policy is found on the Office of Student Financial Aid webpage. Student Financial Aid counselors are available to consult with students and parents (with the student’s authorization) about financing a Rush University education. Students and authorized parents are welcome and encouraged to make use of these services.

Financial Aid Awards

After evaluating student and family resources in addition to assistance from outside the University, the Office of Student Financial Aid will award students federal, state and institutional funds they qualify for each academic year. In order to distribute available funds in the most equitable manner, the Office of Student Financial Aid establishes a formula that designates the sequence in which funds are awarded to students and the maximum amount awarded under each program. The formula provides for a specific amount of loans and employment before students are considered for grants. These formulas are applied consistently during any given year among all students at a given class level and in a given college, pending availability of funds. The formulas may be adjusted annually due to differences in the availability of funds from year to year and changes in eligibility requirements.

Veterans Benefits

Rush University participates in federal veterans education benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides tuition, fees, books/supplies and housing assistance to eligible veterans. Tuition and fees are paid directly to Rush by the VA. Tuition and fees assistance is capped at the national maximum of $24,476.79 per academic year (Aug. 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020). Benefit rates vary based on the veteran’s circumstances. Some veterans may be able to transfer their benefits to a dependent.

Yellow Ribbon Program

Effective with the 2012-13 academic year, certain colleges at Rush University participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Veterans entitled to the maximum benefit rate are eligible to apply for additional tuition and fee amounts if their costs exceed the $24,476.79 cap. The amount of additional assistance available and the number of students able to be supported is limited and varies by college.

Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who have received Yellow Ribbon assistance will have preference for these funds in future academic years. Details are available on the VA’s Yellow Ribbon Program information webpage.

Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (MGIB-AD Chapter 30)

A monthly benefit paid directly to the veteran.

Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR Chapter 1606)

A monthly benefit paid directly to the veteran.

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP Chapter 1607)

A monthly benefit paid directly to the veteran.

Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP Chapter 32)

A monthly benefit paid directly to the veteran.

Survivors and Dependents Assistance (DEA Chapter 35)

A monthly benefit paid directly to the survivor or dependent of the veteran.

If a student qualifies for participation in more than one veterans education benefits program, the VA website provides a comparison tool to help determine which benefits might be appropriate.

Veterans interested in using their benefits at Rush for the first time should conduct the following:

1. Apply for benefits through the VA: If the veteran has never used their veterans benefits at an institution before, this step must be completed.
2. Submit form 22-1995 or form 22-5495 (as appropriate) online: If the veteran has used veterans education benefits before but is a first-time benefits user at Rush University, the appropriate form must be submitted.
3. Provide a copy of their eligibility letter from the VA (as well as any change of program forms from step two above) to the Office of Student Financial Aid before benefits can be certified with the VA.

All documents can be mailed, faxed or scanned and emailed to the Office of Student Financial Aid. Please be sure to indicate name and student ID number (or Social Security number) on all documents.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by Congress, mandates institutions of higher education to establish minimum standards of satisfactory progress for students receiving federal financial aid. These standards apply to all federal Title IV aid programs, including the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Stafford Loan, Federal PLUS Loan and Federal College Work-Study programs.

Accordingly, the Department of Education regulations require that Rush University’s Office of Student Financial Aid monitor the academic progress of all financial aid recipients toward the completion of their degree. This process is called Satisfactory Academic Progress, or SAP.

This SAP policy is enforced in conjunction with all other institutional policies and procedures, including the academic progressions policies of Rush University’s colleges and academic programs. For undergraduate and graduate students, the below criteria are checked at the end of each term. For medical students, the below criteria are checked annually at the end of spring term.

The Office of Student Financial Aid will factor in rounding when calculating a student’s eligibility for meeting the minimum pace of completion requirements.

Enforcement

The Office of Student Financial Aid has the primary responsibility in enforcing the SAP policy. The Office of the Registrar and other Rush University offices that maintain student information relevant to the SAP policy shall provide such information, as requested by the Office of Student Financial Aid.

SAP Requirements

SAP requirements vary by academic level (undergraduate, graduate and medical students). Please refer to the appropriate section to find the requirements that fit your academic program.

Undergraduate Students

SAP for undergraduate students is monitored using three factors: maximum time frame measurement, pace of completion and cumulative grade-point average, or GPA. SAP is measured at the end of each academic term once final grades are submitted.

Maximum Time Frame Measurement

Students may attempt up to 150 percent of the credits it normally takes to complete the program. The total allowable attempted hours are calculated by multiplying the hours required to complete the degree at Rush (excluding the general education courses required prior to entry in the program) by 1.5 and rounding down to the nearest whole number. For example, for a program that requires 107 credit hours to receive a degree at Rush (not including the general education courses required prior to entry in the program), a student may attempt up to 160 hours.

Pace of Completion

Students must successfully complete at least 66.667 percent of the courses they attempt. This will be measured cumulatively over the course of the student’s program. For the purpose of this measurement, all of the following are applicable:

• Successful completion is defined as a grade of A, B or C for a letter grade course, or a grade of P for a course that is pass/fail or pass/no pass. These courses are counted in both the attempted and completed hours totals.
• Proficiency credit (K grades) is counted in both the attempted and completed hours totals.
• All other grades, including incomplete grades, are counted in the attempted hours total but not in the completed hours total. If an incomplete grade is later converted to a grade that is considered to be a successfully completed grade, the pace of completion percentage can be recalculated. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Office of Student Financial Aid when an incomplete grade has been converted.
• Students who drop courses but remain enrolled at the University will not have those dropped courses counted in the attempted hours total if they are dropped prior to the census date. Dropped courses after the census date will be counted in the attempted hours total.
• Repeated courses are counted as attempted hours during all attempts.
• Transfer credits that count toward the student’s current academic program count as both attempted and completed hours.

• Students who change majors will only have hours that were previously attempted counted in their cumulative totals if they are applicable to the new academic program.

Cumulative Grade-Point Average

Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Students who have a term GPA of less than 1.0 after their first term at Rush will be immediately placed on financial aid suspension.

Graduate Students

SAP for graduate students is monitored using three factors: maximum time frame measurement, pace of completion and cumulative (GPA. SAP is measured at the end of each academic term once final grades are submitted.

Maximum Time Frame Measurement

Students may attempt up to 150 percent of the credits it normally takes to complete their program. The total allowable attempted hours are calculated by multiplying the hours required to complete the degree at Rush by 1.5 and rounding down to the nearest whole number. For example, a student may attempt up to 169 hours for a program that requires 113 credit hours to receive a degree at Rush..

Please note: Non-degree certificate programs are approved by the U.S. Department of Education for financial assistance at a specific number of credit hours. Regardless of a student’s actual plan of study, maximum time frame is calculated using the number of hours for which the program was approved with the US Department of Education.

Pace of Completion

Students must successfully complete at least 66.667 percent of the courses they attempt. This will be measured cumulatively over the course of the student’s program. For the purpose of this measurement, all of the following are applicable:

• Successful completion is defined as a grade of A or B for a letter grade course, or a grade of P for a course that is pass/fail or pass/no pass. These courses are counted in both the attempted and completed hours totals.
• Proficiency credit (K grades) is counted in both the attempted and completed hours totals.
• All other grades, including incomplete grades, are counted in the attempted hours total, but not in the completed hours total. If an incomplete grade is later converted to a grade that is considered to be a successfully completed grade, the pace of completion percentage can be recalculated. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Office of Student Financial Aid when an incomplete grade has been converted.
• Students who drop courses prior to the close of the published add/drop period each term will not have those dropped courses counted in the total attempted hours.. Dropped courses after the close of the published add/drop period will be counted in the total attempted hours.
• Repeated courses are counted as attempted hours during all attempts.
• Transfer credits that count toward the student’s current academic program count as both attempted and completed hours.
• Students who change majors will only have hours that were previously attempted counted in their cumulative totals if they are applicable to the new academic program.

Cumulative Grade-Point Average

Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students who have a GPA of less than 2.0 after their first term at Rush will be immediately placed on financial aid suspension.

Rush Medical College Students

SAP for Rush Medical College students is monitored using three factors: maximum time frame measurement, pace of completion and grade requirements. SAP is measured at the end of each academic year once final grades are in and at the time of awarding.

Time Limits on Financial Aid Eligibility

The normal time frame for completion of required coursework for the MD degree is four academic years. Due to academic or personal difficulties, a student may require additional time. In such situations, the Rush Medical College Committee on Student Evaluation and Promotion may establish a schedule for the student that departs from the norm and may require repeating a year of study. For the purposes of this financial aid policy, no more than three years may be devoted to the first- and second-year curriculum and no more than three years may be devoted to the third- and fourth-year curriculum, for a maximum time frame of six years. Summer enrollment, if required, is considered part of the academic year for the purposes of this measure. Approved LOAs do not count in this measure.

Completion of Requirements/Pace of Completion

1. First-year students must complete at least 66.667 percent of their first-year curriculum with a grade of Pass or better between the start of the year and the last day of spring term exams. This includes repeated courses.
2. To advance to the second year, students must complete all first-year courses with a grade of Pass or better by the start of the second year.
3. Second-year students must complete at least 66.667 percent of their second-year curriculum with a grade of Pass or better between the start of fall term and the last day of spring exams. This includes repeated courses.
4. To advance to the third year, students must complete all second-year courses with a grade of Pass or better by the start of the CRASH course.
5. A student who is repeating/splitting the first or second year according to a COSEP schedule is considered to be making SAP.
6. Third-year students must complete at least 66.667 percent of the clerkships they attempt with a grade of “Pass” or better.
7. To advance to the fourth year, students must complete all core clerkships with a grade of “Pass” or better.
8. A student who is repeating the third or fourth year according to a COSEP schedule is considered to be making SAP.

Grade Requirements

Rush Medical College academic progress is measured in terms of Honors, High Pass, Pass and Fail grades. A student must complete each required course/clerkship with a grade of Pass or better in order to graduate. A student who fails a course must retake it and earn a grade of at least Pass. A student who receives an Incomplete in a course must complete the course and earn at least a Pass.

Financial Aid Warning

Undergraduate and graduate students are allowed a financial aid warning period. Professional students enrolled at Rush Medical College are not allowed a financial aid warning period.

Undergraduate or graduate students who fail to meet the requirements of this satisfactory academic progress policy will be placed on financial aid warning for one additional term (With the exception of undergraduate students who have a first-term GPA of less than 1.0 and graduate students who have a first-term GPA of less than 2.0. In this case, that student would immediately be placed on financial aid suspension.) Students will be allowed to continue on financial assistance during the warning period. Students placed on financial aid warning will receive a notification through their Rush email account. The notification will include SAP requirements, steps necessary to meet SAP in the upcoming term and the consequences for failing to meet SAP requirements by the end of the warning period.

Students will be placed on financial aid suspension if they fail to meet the standards of this SAP policy after the one-term financial aid warning period.

Suspension of Financial Aid Eligibility

• Professional students enrolled at Rush Medical College who fail to meet the requirements of this SAP policy will be placed on financial aid suspension.
• Undergraduate students who have a first-term GPA of less than 1.0 and graduate students who have a first-term GPA of less than 2.0 will be placed on financial aid suspension.
• Students who still fail to meet the requirements of this policy after their single term on financial aid warning will be placed on financial aid suspension.

Students who are suspended from financial aid eligibility will be notified through their Rush email account.

Appealing Suspension of Financial Aid Eligibility

Under extenuating circumstances, a student may appeal the suspension of their financial aid eligibility. Appeals from other parties on behalf of the student will not be accepted. All appeals should be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Aid in writing or by email to Financial_Aid@rush.edu. Each appeal should include the following items:

• Signed letter from the student indicating the reasons why the standards of this policy were not met and what has changed in the student’s situation that will allow satisfactory progress during the next evaluation period,
• An academic plan for the remainder of the student’s studies,
• Any supporting documentation the student feels would support the appeal (as appropriate).

The Office of Student Financial Aid will review the appeal and notify the student of the appeal review results. Students whose appeals are approved will be placed on a financial aid probationary period for one term or for an appropriate duration depending on the academic plan provided.

If applicable, the probationary period will be defined to include checkpoints that must be achieved in order for the student to remain eligible for financial assistance. Students failing to abide by the terms of their probationary period will be suspended from financial aid after the one-term probationary period or in the case of a multi-term probationary period upon failure to maintain the minimum requirements of the probationary period requirements.

The decision of the Office of Student Financial Aid is final, binding and not subject to further appeal.

Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility

A student’s eligibility for financial aid will be reinstated when the standards of the SAP policy as outlined above have been successfully met.

Educational Assistance Benefits (Tuition)

As part of our commitment to employee development and education, Rush offers the following:

For more details about the programs and policies changes, visit Inside Rush at insiderush.rush.edu, click on “Human Resources,” “Benefits” and then “Educational Assistance Benefits.”