How should I apply for financial aid?

All students requesting loan assistance must complete and submit The Duke Executive MBA Financial Aid Form to the financial aid office. Once you select a private student lender, complete the lender's online loan application for pre-approval.

When should I apply for financial aid?

Student loan applications must be completed each academic year of your program. International students may begin applying for the private student loan, including the no-cosigner international student loan, in March.

How will I know if my financial aid application is complete?

Generally, we will begin the Financial Aid review in March. Your lender will provide you with a pre-approval notice. The Financial Aid Office usually receives the same confirmation from the lender, requesting that we certify your loan request.

How is financial aid eligibility calculated?

Financial aid eligibility is based on the cost of attendance, income and assets of students, and tuition assistance from employers.

Once my financial aid eligibility is calculated, how much financial aid can I expect to receive?

With a no-cosigner loan, you are eligible to apply for enough student loans to meet up to 100% of the cost of tuition as estimated in the Cost of Attendance (minus other aid; scholarships, sponsorships, other student loans). 
With a cosigner loan, you are eligible to apply for enough student loans to meet 100% of the cost of tuition, fees, books, and related living expenses as estimated in the Cost of Attendance (minus other aid; scholarships, sponsorships, other student loans).

I received my financial aid award, but what if I need additional funds?

Students must request additional loan funds that exceed their cost of attendance in writing. If the request is granted, students can apply for private student loans to help cover the cost of attendance for their program each academic year. Please see the Duke University Recommended Lender List for additional recommendations.

When should I start contacting lenders to apply for student loans?

Since private student loan programs are credit-based, students who anticipate borrowing private student loans may consider contacting lenders during March to make certain that they are creditworthy loan borrowers.

Most of the student loan applications are completed and processed electronically. Therefore, paper applications are unnecessary. Generally, you will visit a lender's website to apply for a loan and electronically complete the promissory note. Subsequently, lenders will transmit your loan request to our financial aid office, so the loan may be certified and processed electronically.

When do I repay my student loans?

Student loans carry a 6-9 month grace period (depending on the lender and loan program). Typically, the grace period begins on the last enrollment date of the program or graduation date. However, the grace period will begin on the date that a student drops below a half time course load and becomes a part-time student or withdraws from school.

Before it is time to start repayment, you should receive a repayment schedule from the lender of your student loans. This disclosure should inform you of the total amount borrowed, current interest rate, and the total amount you will pay over the life of the loan if you follow the repayment schedule.

I received my tuition bill, but my financial aid does not show up.

Financial aid is disbursed to the student bursar accounts no earlier than ten days before the start of each term. The Duke Executive MBA Program Office is aware of this guideline. As a result, students receiving financial aid from guaranteed sources (such as certified private student loans) only need to pay the amount of tuition that their aid does not cover. Students receiving financial aid can review their financial aid award to determine disbursement amounts.

Can I view my financial aid status online?

Admitted students can view their financial aid award online through DukeHub. Your Net ID and password are required to log in.

I am receiving tuition assistance from my employer. How does this affect my financial aid?

Employer Tuition Assistance is considered an additional financial resource and will affect eligibility for student loans.