Extended Study and Financial Aid
Extended Study
A student may choose to conduct an extended year of study prior to graduation from the MD program to engage in:
- a Research or Hybrid Flex Year (supervised research/clinical electives/global health/other projects)
- a joint degree program at Yale (MD-MHS, MD-MBA, MD-MPH, etc.)
- a dual degree program at another university
Each student’s financial situation is unique, so we encourage you to contact the Office of Financial Aid regarding your specific financial aid package.
Fees & Tuition
Students enrolled in a Research or Hybrid Flex Year are not charged an additional year of MD tuition. Students enrolled in joint or dual degree programs are charged tuition by the degree program in which they are enrolled. MD program fees are charged based on the type of Extended Study taken.
Tuition and Fees During Extended Year of Study
| Fee Type | Research Flex Year or Hybrid Flex Year | MD–MHS Students | Joint Degree Students at Another Yale School | Dual Degree Students at an Away School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Do I pay any tuition during Extended Study? | See below for options* | Yes, you pay MHS tuition | Yes, you pay tuition at the other Yale school | Yes, you pay tuition at the away school |
| When do I pay the last year of MD tuition? | See below for options* | Fifth chronological year | Fifth chronological year | Fifth chronological year |
| Continuing Registration Fee (CRF) | YES* | NO | NO | YES |
| Student Activity Fee | YES | YES | NO | NO |
| Technology Fee | YES | YES | NO | NO |
| Background Check Fee | YES | YES | NO | NO |
*If you are paying full tuition during the Flex Year, the CRF is billed in the final year. If you are paying split tuition, the CRF is split and billed in both the Flex and Final Year.
Bills are issued in the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.
Research or Hybrid Flex Year Tuition
Most students enrolled in a Research or Hybrid Flex Year have options for when they pay their last year of MD tuition during the final two years of enrollment:
- Full tuition can be billed in the Flex Year and a continuing registration fee billed in the final year.
- One-half the tuition and one-half the continuing registration fee can be charged in each of the two years.
If you choose a Research or Hybrid Flex Year, how and when you pay your tuition affects your eligibility for financial aid during your final two years of enrollment.
Students are eligible for YSM need-based scholarship only if they are being billed for tuition or a portion of tuition in that academic year. Therefore, if you choose to split tuition, you can be considered for YSM need-based scholarship for both the fourth and fifth chronological years.
You also may benefit from splitting tuition if you or your parent(s) are receiving a tuition-based tax deduction, as you/they then may qualify for the deduction for two years rather than one year.
| Options | Research or Hybrid Flex Year | Final MD Year | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Option 1 | • Pay full tuition | • Pay full continuing registration fee* | • Save tuition % increase from years four to five • May qualify for tax benefit in Research or Hybrid Flex year | • Not eligible for YSM need-based scholarship in final year; can only apply for loans that year |
| Option 2** | • Pay ½ tuition + ½ continuing registration fee | • Pay ½ tuition + ½ continuing registration fee | • Spread the tuition costs over two years • May qualify for tax benefits both years • Can be considered for YSM need-based scholarship both years | • Ultimately, pay slightly more in tuition due to % increase from Research or Hybrid Flex Year to final year • Students with higher family contributions may not qualify for scholarship either year due to lower costs when splitting tuition |
*No tuition is paid. Student is not eligible for YSM need-based scholarship and only may apply for loans.
**Option 2 must be selected by April 15 before the Extended Study year begins.
Extended Study/Change of Class Form
Students planning to enroll in Extended Study are required to complete the online Extended Study/Change of Class Form during the spring term of their third year so that the Registrar can bill your tuition appropriately.
If a student is choosing to split tuition for a Flex Year, they must submit this form by April 15 before the Flex Year begins. (Note: Joint and dual degree students do not have the option for split year tuition and are charged the full MD tuition in the fifth chronological year.)
If the form is received after April 15, the student will automatically be billed the full tuition for the Flex Year (your fourth chronological year) and billed the continuing registration fee in the final academic year. Therefore, submitting the form after April 15 will make the student ineligible to receive YSM need-based scholarship in their final year.
Research or Hybrid Flex Year Funding - Impact on Financial Aid
If you are applying for financial aid during a Research or Hybrid Flex Year, please note that the Office of Financial Aid is required to include a research stipend as a financial resource when calculating financial aid awards.
Research stipend funding first replaces loans and/or family contribution, just like an outside scholarship.
Yale scholarship will be reduced ONLY if research stipend funding exceeds your loans AND combined student/family contribution. While paying tuition or a continuing registration fee, you are still considered a full-time student and do not go into loan repayment. The University Registrar reports your enrollment to loan servicers just like any other year.
Learn more about options for funding during a Research or Hybrid Flex Year.