Master of Dental Science Program

MSDS Student Financial Aid Process

The Office of Student Financial Aid Services at the Storrs campus administers financial aid for the Master of Dental Science (MSDS) program students who attend classes at UConn Health.

MSDS students who are interested in applying for Federal Direct Loans will need to complete each of the following action items:

  1. The 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before June 30, 2025.  Enter the UConn school code (001417) on the FAFSA.
  2. The 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Enter the UConn school code (001417) on the FAFSA.
  3. Register for a minimum of three credits and DENT 6000 for both the summer 2025 and fall 2025 semesters.
  4. After steps one through three are completed, an award notification will be sent to your UConn email address. You will need to login to the Student Administration System to take action on your loan offers.
  5. Continuing MSDS students who have already borrowed the maximum amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan eligibility ($20,500) for the 2024-2025 academic year (or who have reached the aggregate limit) can complete a Graduate Plus Loan application for the summer 2025 semester. The loan period for the summer 2025 semester is May to August 2025.
  6. New students who are Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan borrowers will need to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Loan Entrance Counseling. List the UConn school code (001417).
  7. Students who intend to borrow a Federal Graduate PLUS Loan, will need to complete a Graduate PLUS Loan application. New students who have not applied for a Federal Graduate PLUS Loan with UConn previously, will also need to complete a Graduate PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN). List the UConn school code (001417).
  8. New Graduate students who intend to apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan and have no Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan eligibility remaining, will also need to complete Loan Entrance Counseling.
  9. If you are expect to receive a refund check for living expenses, it is advisable to sign up for Direct Deposit.
  10. When spring 2026 semester registration opens, register for a minimum of three graduate credits and DENT 6000.
  11. When summer 2026 semester registration opens, register for a minimum of three graduate credits and DENT 6000.
  12. Continuing MSDS students who have already borrowed the maximum amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan eligibility ($20,500) for the 2025-2026 academic year (or who have reached the aggregate limit) can complete a Graduate PLUS Loan application for the summer 2026 semester. The loan period for the summer 2026 semester is May to August 2026.

Student Enrollment Requirements:

MSDS students who are interested in applying for financial aid (Federal Loans or Private (Alternative) Loans) are required to register as follows:

  • A minimum of three graduate credits and DENT 6000 for the summer, fall, and the spring semesters.

DENT 6000:

  • All MSDS students (financial aid applicants as well as non-financial aid applicants) must register for DENT 6000 for each semester (summer, fall, and spring). DENT 6000 represents the clinical/practicum component for the certificate portion of the MSDS program. This registration requirement applies to all MSDS students even when registering for continuous registration.
  • IMPORTANT: Register for your graduate level coursework first, and DENT 6000 second.

Continuous Registration:

MSDS students are required to register for continuous registration, (GRAD 5998 or 5999) based on their enrollment plans as follows:

  • Financial Aid recipients:
    • MSDS will need to register for continuous registration (GRAD 5998 or 5999) in the fall and /or spring semesters if the student will not enroll in any other credit-based graduate coursework for their master’s degree during that semester. (Continuous registration is not required in the summer, although DENT 6000 is required.)

If you have any questions about Financial Aid for MSDS students, please contact Vivian Castelli, Financial Aid Officer at Vivian.Castelli@uconn.edu, or 860-486-2821.