MUA Student Consumer Information

Student Consumer Information

Download the Medical University of the Americas Student Consumer Information Document. This consumer information download provides in-depth disclosures.

This Student Consumer Information document provides prospective and current students with clear and transparent information about our medical programs, costs, policies and student outcomes. It is intended to help students make informed decisions about their education and future career.

Annual Notice of Availability of Consumer Information

In accordance with the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), and 34 CFR 668.41 through 668.43, Medical University of the Americas (“MUA”) provides this document as its annual notice of the consumer information available to enrolled and prospective students. This document, together with the disclosures below, describes the institution, its academic programs, its cost of attendance, its refund and withdrawal policies, the federal student aid programs in which the institution participates, and the rights and responsibilities of students receiving Title IV assistance. Paper copies of any disclosure referenced in this document are available upon request from the Office of Financial Aid using the contact information listed above.

In accordance with 34 CFR 668.43(a)(8) and 668.44, MUA has designated the following individuals as available on a full-time basis to assist enrolled and prospective students in obtaining the institutional and financial assistance information described in this document: the Director of Financial Aid and the staff of the Office of Financial Aid, reachable at (978) 862-9500, option 4 then 1, or at finaid@mua.edu. Upon request, this information will be made available to a prospective student prior to the student’s enrolling or entering into any financial obligation with the institution.

Financial Aid Department: +1 (978) 862-9500, option 4 then 1 | finaid@mua.edu

About the Institution

Accreditation and Approvals

Medical University of the Americas is accredited by the ACCM, whose standards the U.S. Department of Education has found comparable to U.S. medical school accreditation, and holds approvals in New York, California, Florida, and Kansas. Documents describing our accreditation and approvals are available on request.

Information about the bodies that accredit, approve, and license the institution, with documents available for review on request.

https://www.mua.edu/why-mua/accreditation-and-approvals

Documents describing the institution’s accreditation, approval, or licensing may be reviewed by any enrolled or prospective student upon request to the Office of Admissions.

Professional Licensure and USMLE

Our MD program prepares graduates for medical licensure. Students are eligible to take the USMLE, and graduates who pass the required examinations can pursue licensure in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries. Requirements vary by state, so verify the rules in the state where you plan to practice.

How the MD program prepares graduates for licensure, USMLE eligibility, and the institution’s ACCM accreditation and approvals, with documents available for review on request.

The MUA MD program prepares graduates for medical licensure. MUA is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools as meeting Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) eligibility requirements, which allows students to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). MUA students who fulfill their academic requirements are eligible to sit for USMLE Step 1 (after Basic Science) and Step 2 CK (after Clinical Medicine rotations). Graduates who successfully complete the requisite licensing examinations and all applicable requirements are eligible to pursue licensure to practice medicine in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries. Licensure requirements vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change; students are strongly encouraged to verify the current requirements of the state or jurisdiction in which they intend to practice. Information regarding the institution’s approvals and recognitions, including its Recognized Accreditation by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM) and its state approvals, is available at https://www.mua.edu/why-mua/accreditation-and-approvals.

Academic Programs, Facilities and Faculty

Learn about our degree program, campus facilities, faculty and academic calendar.

Where to find information about the degree program, campus facilities, faculty, and academic calendar.

In accordance with 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5), information about the institution’s academic programs, including current degree programs and other educational and training programs; the instructional, laboratory, and other physical facilities related to the academic program; and the institution’s faculty and other instructional personnel is available at the following locations:

Any plans by the institution to improve its academic programs are described in the academic catalog and institutional publications.

Services for Students with Disabilities

We describe the services and accommodations available to students with disabilities and how to request them.

The services and accommodations available to students with disabilities and how to request them.

In accordance with 34 CFR 668.43(a)(7), MUA makes available a description of the services and facilities available to students with disabilities, including students with intellectual disabilities. Students seeking reasonable accommodations should contact the Office of Student Support Services at (978) 862-9500 or through https://www.mua.edu/academics/student-support. Information regarding student support services, including academic support and counseling resources, is available at https://www.mua.edu/academics/student-support. Requests for accommodations are reviewed on an individualized basis, and supporting documentation may be required. Information regarding the institution’s technical standards for admission and continued enrollment is available at https://www.mua.edu/admissions/technical-standards.

Written Arrangements for Clinical Training

Clinical rotations are completed at affiliated teaching hospitals; a list of clinical affiliates is available on request.

Clinical rotations are completed at affiliated teaching hospitals; the published affiliate information is linked in this section.

In accordance with 34 CFR 668.43(a)(12), MUA discloses that portions of the Clinical Medicine curriculum are provided under written arrangements with affiliated teaching hospitals and clinical training sites in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Clinical clerkships are completed at these affiliated sites under the oversight of the Office of the Associate Dean, Clinical Medicine. A list of current clinical affiliates, including the portion of the educational program provided at each site and the method of delivery, is available upon request from the Office of the Associate Dean, Clinical Medicine, and at https://www.mua.edu/academics/programs/4-year-md-program/clinical-medicine. Estimated additional costs associated with clinical training, including elective clerkship surcharges, are described in Section B.

Study Abroad

Enrollment in an approved study abroad program may count as enrollment for federal aid purposes; the MD program itself is delivered at our campus and affiliated clinical sites.

How enrollment in an approved study abroad program is treated for federal student aid purposes.

In accordance with 34 CFR 668.43(a)(9), a student’s enrollment in a program of study abroad approved for credit by the home institution may be considered enrollment at the home institution for the purpose of applying for assistance under the Title IV, HEA programs. MUA does not currently operate a separate study abroad program; the MD program itself is delivered at the institution’s campus and at affiliated clinical training sites as described in Section L.

Costs, Refunds and Withdrawal

Cost of Attendance

The estimated cost of attending for the 2026-2027 year, semester by semester, for new students and for continuing students eligible for the federal interim exception. The COA sets the maximum financial aid you can receive.

The estimated cost of attendance for 2026-2027, semester by semester, for new students and for continuing students eligible for the federal interim exception. The COA sets the maximum financial aid a student may receive.

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of a student’s educational expenses for the period of enrollment and is developed in accordance with section 472 of the HEA. Components include tuition and fees; books, course materials, supplies, and equipment; housing and food; transportation; miscellaneous personal expenses; and federal loan fees. The COA establishes the maximum amount of financial aid, from all sources combined, that a student may receive for the award year. The following tables present the estimated COA for the 2026-2027 award year. Consistent with the institution’s published tuition schedules, the first table applies to students in the MD program beginning in September 2026, and the second table applies to students who matriculated prior to September 2024. Current tuition and fee schedules are available at https://www.mua.edu/admissions/tuition-and-fees.

MUA Cost of Attendance 2026-27 (for students in the MD program beginning in September 2026) (New Students) 2026-27 Award Year
SemesterBasic ScienceClinical Medicine
12345678910TOTAL
Tuition$13,750$13,750$13,750$13,750$13,750$16,500$16,500$16,500$16,500$16,500$151,250
Admin Fees$4,900$4,900$4,900$4,900$4,900$4,900$4,900$4,900$4,900$4,900$49,000
Visa Fee$210         $210
Books & Supplies$1,968$2,270$1,568$1,544$678$1,200$1,200$1,200$1,200$1,200$14,028
Housing & Food$10,600$10,950$10,950$10,950$10,950$14,550$14,550$14,550$14,550$14,550$127,150
Utilities$950$950$950$950$950$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$9,750
Phone and Internet$880$880$880$880$880$880$880$880$880$880$8,800
Malpractice Insurance     $295$295$295$295$295$1,475
USMLE Exams    $1,000  $1,000  $2,000
Transportation$1,200$1,200$1,200$1,200$1,200$1,600$1,600$1,600$1,600$1,600$14,000
Personal Expenses$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$10,000
Graduation Fee         $500$500
Loan Fees*$265$265$265$265$265$265$265$265$265$265$2,650
Total$35,723$36,165$35,463$35,439$35,573$42,190$42,190$43,190$42,190$42,690$390,813
MUA Cost of Attendance 2026-27 (Continuing Students Entering Fall 2024 through Summer 2026, Eligible for the Federal Interim Exception) 2026-27 Award Year
SemesterBasic ScienceClinical Medicine
12345678910TOTAL
Tuition$13,750$13,750$13,750$13,750$13,750$16,500$16,500$16,500$16,500$16,500$151,250
Admin Fees$4,900$4,900$4,900$4,900$4,900$4,900$4,900$4,900$4,900$4,900$49,000
Visa Fee$210         $210
Books & Supplies$1,968$2,270$1,568$1,544$678$1,200$1,200$1,200$1,200$1,200$14,028
Housing & Food$10,600$10,950$10,950$10,950$10,950$14,550$14,550$14,550$14,550$14,550$127,150
Utilities$950$950$950$950$950$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$9,750
Phone and Internet$880$880$880$880$880$880$880$880$880$880$8,800
Malpractice Insurance     $295$295$295$295$295$1,475
USMLE Exams    $1,000  $1,000  $2,000
Transportation$1,200$1,200$1,200$1,200$1,200$1,600$1,600$1,600$1,600$1,600$14,000
Personal Expenses$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$10,000
Graduation Fee         $500$500
Loan Fees*$1,174$1,193$1,163$1,162$1,168$1,448$1,448$1,490$1,448$1,469$13,163
Total$36,632$37,093$36,361$36,336$36,476$43,373$43,373$44,415$43,373$43,894$401,326
MUA Cost of Attendance 2026-27 (Continuing Students Entering Prior to Fall 2024, Eligible for the Federal Interim Exception) 2026-27 Award Year
SemesterBasic ScienceClinical Medicine
12345678910TOTAL
Tuition$15,700$15,700$15,700$15,700$15,700$23,006$23,006$23,006$23,006$23,006$193,530
Admin Fees$7,201$7,201$7,201$7,201$7,201$5,644$5,644$5,644$5,644$5,644$64,225
Visa Fee$210         $210
Books & Supplies$1,968$2,270$1,568$1,544$678$1,200$1,200$1,200$1,200$1,200$14,028
Housing & Food$10,600$10,950$10,950$10,950$10,950$14,550$14,550$14,550$14,550$14,550$127,150
Utilities$950$950$950$950$950$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$9,750
Phone and Internet$880$880$880$880$880$880$880$880$880$880$8,800
Malpractice Insurance     $295$295$295$295$295$1,475
USMLE Exams    $1,000  $1,000  $2,000
Transportation$1,200$1,200$1,200$1,200$1,200$1,600$1,600$1,600$1,600$1,600$14,000
Personal Expenses$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$1,000$10,000
Graduation Fee         $500$500
Loan Fees*$1,354$1,373$1,343$1,342$1,348$1,754$1,754$1,796$1,754$1,775$15,593
Total$41,063$41,524$40,792$40,767$40,907$50,929$50,929$51,971$50,929$51,450$461,261

*Estimated federal loan fees are based on Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan borrowing at a 1.057 percent origination fee. Borrowers eligible for the federal interim exception who borrow Graduate PLUS Loan funds incur a 4.228 percent origination fee on those funds. Actual amounts vary by borrower. Estimated loan fees for interim-exception borrowers reflect the 1.057 percent origination fee on $10,250 of Direct Unsubsidized borrowing per term, plus the 4.228 percent origination fee on Graduate PLUS borrowing up to the remaining Cost of Attendance.

Note:

  • Students may incur additional surcharges for elective clinical clerkships as part of the Clinical Medicine portion of the program. Elective clerkships conducted at certain hospitals may require a surcharge to be paid by the student. While many elective clinical clerkship sites do not require a surcharge, those that do currently range from $50 to $550 per week.
  • Before students choose clinical sites for their clinical rotations, they will be provided a list detailing all surcharges per hospital, in order to ensure that all students can make informed decisions. This list is also available to all students upon request from the Office of the Associate Dean, Clinical Medicine.
  • While Cost of Attendance budgets include an estimate for the surcharges, it is possible, based on the elective rotations selected by students, that the actual charge may exceed these estimates and thus not be included in financial aid budgets.

Refund Policy

How tuition is refunded on withdrawal, including the refund available before the first day of the semester, the seat deposit rules, and the refund schedule after classes begin.

Tuition and fees shall be refunded in full, less an administrative fee of U.S. $100 and, if applicable, the U.S. $500 acceptance deposit and the U.S. $500 deferment fee, if notice of withdrawal is received prior to the first day of enrollment. Before any refund can be initiated, a withdrawal form must be completed and submitted to the Dean of Basic Sciences. Tuition will be refunded according to the following schedule:

  • Prior to the first day of the semester: 100%
  • During the first week of the semester: 93%
  • During the second week of the semester: 87%
  • During the third week of the semester: 80%
  • After the third week of the semester: No refund

All refunds will be made within 30 days of the withdrawal date. No fee or tuition paid by or owed by a student for the semester in which the student is separated from the university for disciplinary reasons shall be refunded or forgiven. If the student is readmitted before the close of the semester in which the disciplinary action is imposed, no additional tuition or fees shall be required of the student during that semester. Students completing the Basic Science semesters or concluding studies for any reason are required to complete a Financial Clearance Letter from the university administration office. Current tuition payment and refund policies are published at https://www.mua.edu/admissions/tuition-and-fees.

Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4)

If you withdraw during a semester, federal law determines how much of your federal aid you have earned and how much must be returned. This explains the calculation and what it means for your account.

When a student withdraws during a semester, federal law determines how much federal aid has been earned and how much must be returned.

Federal law and 34 CFR 668.22 specify how Medical University of the Americas (“MUA”) must determine the amount of Title IV program assistance that a student earns if the student withdraws from school. See Section E for specific information regarding leaves of absence and the withdrawal process. The Office of Financial Aid is responsible for calculating R2T4 and the Business Office is responsible for transferring the funds. The Office of Financial Aid uses worksheets and software provided by the U.S. Department of Education to calculate R2T4 amounts. All unearned funds must be returned within 45 days of the date of the institution’s determination that the student withdrew. If you have questions about your Title IV program funds, you can call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). TTY users may call 1-800-730-8913. Information is also available at https://studentaid.gov.

When a student withdraws during a payment period, the amount of Title IV program assistance that has been earned up to that point is determined by a specific formula. The date of withdrawal is the earlier of the date the student notified the Registrar or Program Director of the intent to withdraw or the date the student submitted the withdrawal form. If the student received (or the school received on the student’s behalf) less assistance than the amount earned, the student may be able to receive those additional funds. If the student received more assistance than was earned, the excess funds must be returned by the school and/or the student.

The MUA attendance policy is described in the university catalog and the student handbooks. All Basic Science courses have a minimum 90% attendance requirement (for some courses the minimum requirement may be higher), and full attendance is required at clinical clerkships. Students who do not meet the attendance requirements are reported to the university’s Registrar, who notifies the student’s Program Director of the lack of attendance. The Program Director will consult with the student’s faculty to verify the last date of attendance. Without an official Withdrawal Form, the university will use the last date of attendance to compute the R2T4 formula.

In the case where a student notifies the Program Director or a faculty member of the intent to withdraw, the student must be informed of the need to complete the Official Withdrawal Form. The Program Director or faculty member must document the date the student provided notification and share that information with the university Registrar. Should the student fail to file the Withdrawal Form, or should there be a lag between the notification and the filing of the form, the earlier date of notification will be used in calculating the R2T4 formula. In the event a student receives all failing grades for a semester, the Program Director will contact the faculty members to determine whether the failing grades were earned or represent a lack of attendance. If it is determined that those grades were the result of lack of attendance, the Program Director and faculty will attempt to determine the last day of attendance and use that date in the R2T4 calculation. If the exact date cannot be determined, the university will assume 50% attendance and use the midpoint of the payment period as the last date of attendance. Students who do not attend even one class are ineligible for Title IV funds, and all loan proceeds will be returned.

The amount of assistance earned is determined on a pro rata basis. The payment period is the semester for which the loan was certified, and the percentage earned is calculated by dividing the number of calendar days attended by the total number of calendar days in the payment period. For example, if the student completes 30% of the payment period, the student has earned 30% of the assistance the student was originally scheduled to receive. Once the student has completed more than 60% of the payment period, all the assistance that the student was scheduled to receive for that period is considered to have been earned. If the student did not receive all of the funds that were earned, the student may be due a post-withdrawal disbursement. If the post-withdrawal disbursement includes loan funds, the student may choose to decline the loan funds so that additional debt is not incurred. The Office of Financial Aid will use the R2T4 worksheets provided by the U.S. Department of Education to determine how much of the loan may be retained and how much must be returned.

MUA may automatically use all or a portion of a post-withdrawal disbursement (including loan funds, if the student accepts them) for tuition, fees, and institutionally contracted housing and food charges. For all other school charges, the school needs the student’s permission to use the post-withdrawal disbursement. If the student does not give permission, the student will not be offered the funds. However, it may be in the student’s best interest to allow the school to keep the funds to reduce the debt owed to the school.

There are some Title IV funds that a student may have been scheduled to receive that cannot be disbursed once the student withdraws because of other eligibility requirements. If the student receives (or the school receives on behalf of the student) excess Title IV program funds that must be returned, the school must return a portion of the excess equal to the lesser of:

  • The institutional charges multiplied by the unearned percentage of the funds, or
  • The entire amount of excess funds.

The school must return this amount even if it did not keep this amount of the Title IV program funds. If the school is not required to return all of the excess funds, the student must return the remaining amount. Any loan funds that must be returned by the student are repaid in accordance with the terms of the promissory note; that is, scheduled payments are made to the loan holder over a period of time. Students who have received a refund of their loan proceeds before withdrawing may be required to return part or all of those funds.

Title IV funds will be returned in the following order:

  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
  • Federal Direct PLUS Loans (Graduate PLUS, for borrowers eligible under the federal interim exception)

The requirements for Title IV program funds when students withdraw are separate from any refund policy that the school may have. Therefore, the student may still owe funds to the school to cover unpaid institutional charges. The school may also charge the student for any Title IV program funds that the school was required to return. Students may receive a copy of the refund policy from the Business Office.

Leaves of Absence and Withdrawals

MUA grants academic leaves of absence, which are treated as withdrawals for federal aid purposes. Before requesting a leave, meet with Financial Aid to review the effect on your loans, grace period, and future eligibility.

The institution grants academic leaves of absence, which are treated as withdrawals for federal aid purposes. Meet with the Office of Financial Aid before requesting a leave.

Important notice for Title IV loan recipients: MUA grants academic leaves of absence. An academic leave of absence does not meet the conditions of an approved leave of absence for Title IV purposes under 34 CFR 668.22(d). Accordingly, any leave of absence granted by MUA is treated as a withdrawal for Title IV purposes as of the date the leave begins, is reported to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) as a withdrawal, and requires a Return of Title IV Funds calculation. A leave of absence also ends a borrower’s eligibility for the federal interim exception described in Section G. Students considering a leave of absence should meet with the Office of Financial Aid before submitting a request so that they fully recognize the consequences for loan repayment, grace period exhaustion, and future borrowing eligibility.

For Title IV purposes, an approved LOA is a temporary interruption in a student’s program of study during which the student is not in attendance and will return to complete the program. Students returning from an LOA are not required to re-apply for admission but must re-register for their courses.

A school may grant a student an LOA that does not meet the conditions to be an approved LOA for Title IV purposes (for example, for academic reasons). Any LOA that does not meet all of the conditions for an approved LOA is considered a withdrawal for Title IV purposes. As stated above, all leaves of absence granted by MUA are academic leaves and are treated as withdrawals for Title IV purposes.

A withdrawal refers to a student’s intent to completely terminate studies at an institution with no expectation of return. Students who subsequently decide to return to their studies must re-apply for admission through the university’s Office of Admissions.

An unofficial withdrawal is one where the school has not received notice from the student that the student has ceased or will cease attending the school. When MUA determines that a student has unofficially withdrawn, the institution will determine the withdrawal date in accordance with 34 CFR 668.22 and complete the required R2T4 calculation.

Note: Students who withdraw from courses or the program receive a grade of “W” on their transcript. The grade is considered the same as an “F” grade in calculating the quantitative component of the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards and may affect the student’s future eligibility for financial aid.

The form required by MUA to request an LOA or a withdrawal is available on the campus website and from the Registrar. The institution’s Leave of Absence policy and request form are available from the Office of the Registrar and the Office of Financial Aid.

For general reference, federal regulations provide that an LOA qualifies as an For general reference, federal regulations provide that an LOA qualifies as an approved LOA for Title IV purposes only if all of the following conditions are met:

  • All requests for LOAs must be submitted in writing to the Program Director and include the reason for the student’s request. The form must be signed and dated by the student and specify the dates the student wants the LOA to begin and end.
  • Students must apply in advance for an LOA unless unforeseen circumstances prevent the student from doing so.
  • The reason for the LOA must be generally non-academic in nature and must be one that leads to a reasonable expectation that the student will return from the LOA within the allowed time frame.
  • The LOA, together with any additional leaves of absence, must not exceed a total of 180 days in any 12-month period, including days in which school is not in session.

All requests for LOAs will be reviewed by the Program Director, the university Registrar, and the Director of Financial Aid. The student will be notified in writing by the Program Director of the university’s decision. Because MUA grants only academic leaves of absence, every approved leave request is processed as a withdrawal for Title IV purposes.

During any leave, the institution will not assess the student any additional institutional charges, the student’s financial need will not increase, and the student will not be eligible for any additional disbursements of federal student aid.

Because a leave of absence at MUA is reported as a withdrawal, the institution must report the student’s change in enrollment status to NSLDS as of the withdrawal date. The student’s grace period begins on the withdrawal date, and a student who is away from the program for longer than the grace period will enter repayment. Prior to granting a leave of absence, MUA will inform a student who is a Title IV loan recipient of the possible consequences a withdrawal may have on the student’s loan repayment terms, including the exhaustion of the student’s grace period.

If a student does not return to the school at the expiration of a leave, the student’s withdrawal date remains the date the student began the leave, and the student must re-apply for admission in accordance with institutional policy.

Financial Aid

Federal Student Aid at MUA

Eligible U.S. students may borrow Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans; Grad PLUS Loans is available only to borrowers who qualify for the federal interim exception. Canadian students use Canadian federal and provincial aid.

As a foreign institution, MUA participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Eligible U.S. students in the MD program may borrow Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. Graduate PLUS Loans are available only to borrowers who qualify for the federal interim exception described below. Students attending a foreign institution are not eligible for Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Direct Subsidized Loans, or Federal Work-Study. Canadian students are not eligible for U.S. Title IV assistance and are directed to Canadian federal and provincial student aid processes through the Financial Aid Canada office; see https://www.mua.edu/admissions/financial-aid/canada. Information about institutional scholarships is available at https://www.mua.edu/admissions/mua-scholarships. Complete information about U.S. federal financial aid at MUA is available at https://www.mua.edu/admissions/financial-aid/united-states. Whenever MUA provides information on the availability of federal student loans, it also includes materials published by the U.S. Department of Education, including federal student aid publications and tools available at https://studentaid.gov.

Federal Loan Changes Effective July 1, 2026 (OB3)

Federal law changed loan limits and eliminated Grad PLUS for new borrowers effective July 1, 2026. Your borrower category, confirmed by the Financial Aid office, determines your limits.

Effective July 1, 2026, federal student loan rules changed under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act (formerly the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, OB3/OBBBA, P.L. 119-21). These changes affect federal borrowing limits and the availability of Graduate PLUS Loans for students in professional degree programs, including the MD program. Two federal borrower categories apply:

  • Borrower eligible for the federal interim exception: As of June 30, 2026, the student was enrolled in the MUA MD program and had a Federal Direct Loan disbursed for that program before July 1, 2026. These borrowers may remain eligible for the prior loan limits and Graduate PLUS Loans during their applicable expected time to credential, subject to all federal eligibility requirements.
  • Borrower subject to the new professional-student loan limits: The student does not qualify for the federal interim exception. This includes students who were not enrolled in the MUA MD program as of June 30, 2026, or who did not receive a Federal Direct Loan disbursement for that program before July 1, 2026. Borrowers in this category may borrow Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans up to $50,000 per year and $200,000 in the professional aggregate, within a $257,500 lifetime limit on total federal student loan borrowing. Borrowers in this category are not eligible for Graduate PLUS Loans.

For borrowers eligible for the federal interim exception, the prior loan limits apply: a Direct Unsubsidized Loan annual limit of $20,500; Graduate PLUS Loan eligibility up to the Cost of Attendance minus other financial assistance; and a Direct Loan aggregate limit of $138,500, which includes undergraduate borrowing. The new lifetime limit does not apply during the exception period. The interim exception lasts through the earlier of three academic years (ending no later than June 30, 2029) or the borrower’s remaining expected time to credential, and it requires continuous enrollment at least half-time in the same program. The $257,500 lifetime limit applicable to borrowers under the new professional-student limits includes prior Graduate PLUS borrowing. Undergraduate loans do not count toward the $200,000 professional aggregate but do count toward the $257,500 lifetime limit.

Eligibility for the federal interim exception is not automatic; the Office of Financial Aid must review and confirm each student’s borrower category, with enrollment history certified by the Office of the Registrar. A withdrawal, a break in at least half-time enrollment, or a leave of absence (which MUA reports as a withdrawal; see Section E) ends a borrower’s eligibility for the federal interim exception. For full details, including the borrower comparison chart, eligibility requirements, transition rules, and frequently asked questions, see https://www.mua.edu/admissions/financial-aid/united-states.

Loan Terms, Applying and Disbursement

Current interest rates, origination fees, how to apply with the FAFSA (school code G39003), how awards are determined, when funds are disbursed, and your right to cancel or reduce a loan.

The Doctor of Medicine (MD) is a professional degree. There is no requirement to demonstrate financial need for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, and the borrower is responsible for interest at all times. For loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, and before July 1, 2027, the interest rate for Direct Unsubsidized Loans for graduate and professional students is 8.07%, and the interest rate for Graduate PLUS Loans for eligible interim-exception borrowers is 9.07%. Interest accrues during all periods, including while the student is enrolled at least half-time, in deferment, or in forbearance, and in certain instances, it is capitalized. Borrowers may pay interest as it accrues, even when payments are not required.

For loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2020, and before October 1, 2027, the origination fee for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan is 1.057%, and the origination fee for a Graduate PLUS Loan is 4.228%. The applicable origination fee is deducted proportionally from each loan disbursement; as a result, the amount credited to the student’s account will be less than the amount borrowed.

Direct Unsubsidized Loans typically have a six-month grace period after the borrower graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time enrollment. Principal payments are not required during the grace period, but interest continues to accrue and remains the borrower’s responsibility. Graduate PLUS Loans do not have a grace period; however, an eligible graduate or professional student borrower generally receives an automatic deferment while enrolled at least half-time and for six months after graduating, leaving school, or dropping below half-time enrollment.

Repayment plan eligibility depends on the borrower’s loan types and whether the borrower receives a new Federal Direct Loan or obtains a Direct Consolidation Loan on or after July 1, 2026. Borrowers who receive a new Direct Loan or a consolidation loan on or after that date generally must repay their eligible Direct Loans under either the Repayment Assistance Plan or the Tiered Standard Repayment Plan. Borrowers may review available federal repayment plans at https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment and compare estimated payments using the Loan Simulator at https://studentaid.gov/loan-simulator/. The borrower’s federal loan servicer handles billing, payment processing, and questions about individual loans. A borrower participating in a qualifying medical or dental internship or residency program may qualify for mandatory forbearance and should contact the federal loan servicer.

Borrowers may qualify for deferment of repayment under conditions established by federal law, including enrollment at least half-time at an eligible institution, active-duty military service, unemployment, economic hardship, and service in the Peace Corps or under a comparable full-time volunteer service program. Borrowers may also qualify for discretionary or mandatory forbearance under conditions established by federal law. Deferment and forbearance are requested through the borrower’s federal loan servicer, and complete information on eligibility conditions is available at https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/lower-payments/get-temporary-relief.

To apply for a Federal Direct Loan, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov for the applicable award year. MUA’s FAFSA school code is G39003. Students who do not already have an FSA ID will need one to sign the FAFSA and loan documents. The information provided on the FAFSA is used by MUA to determine the aid the student is eligible to receive. Students should submit the FAFSA and all required documents as early as possible, and no later than the start of the payment period, to ensure aid is in place when the semester begins. To be considered for Federal Direct Loan funds, a student must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or eligible noncitizen who is eligible to receive Federal Direct Loans;
  • Have a valid Social Security number;
  • Be admitted to or enrolled in the eligible MUA MD program as a regular student;
  • Be enrolled at least half-time, as defined by MUA, to receive Federal Direct Loan funds;
  • Complete the FAFSA for the applicable award year and provide all required consent and approval for the retrieval and use of federal tax information;
  • Not be in default on a federal student loan and not owe an unresolved overpayment on a federal grant or loan; and
  • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress under MUA’s federally compliant SAP policy (see Section F).

As a foreign institution, MUA is exempt from the verification requirements of 34 CFR Part 668, Subpart E; however, the Office of Financial Aid may request documentation as needed to resolve conflicting information before certifying or disbursing aid.

Loan eligibility is determined based on the student’s Cost of Attendance for the loan period, less other estimated financial assistance, up to the applicable annual, aggregate, and lifetime loan limits. Effective July 1, 2026, annual loan limits are prorated for students enrolled less than full time, in proportion to the student’s enrollment intensity. For students enrolled less than full time, all Cost of Attendance components, direct and indirect alike, are likewise adjusted proportionally to the credits (Basic Science) or clinical weeks (Clinical Medicine) in which the student is enrolled. Financial aid is awarded and disbursed by payment period; at MUA, the payment period is the semester. After the applicable semester begins, once MUA confirms that all required financial aid documents have been completed, and while the student remains eligible and enrolled at least half-time, eligible Federal Direct Loan funds will be credited to the student’s account. The student will receive an electronic notification when a loan disbursement is posted. A student has the right to cancel or reduce all or a portion of a loan disbursement; a student who wishes to do so should notify the Office of Financial Aid within 14 days of the disbursement notification.

Title IV funds are applied to tuition, fees, and institutionally contracted housing and food charges. MUA obtains the student’s written authorization before applying Title IV funds to any other charges on the student’s account, and the student may rescind that authorization at any time.

If Title IV funds credited to the student’s account exceed allowable institutional charges, a Title IV credit balance is created. MUA will pay the credit balance as soon as possible and within the federally required timeframe: if the credit balance is created on or before the first day of classes, it will be paid no later than 14 calendar days after that date; if it is created after the first day of classes, it will be paid no later than 14 calendar days after the credit balance is created. Refunds are issued by check unless the student has enrolled in direct deposit with the Office of Student Accounts.

Counseling, NSLDS and Private Loans

Entrance and exit counseling requirements, how your loans are reported to the National Student Loan Data System, and what to know before borrowing a private education loan.

Before receiving the first Direct Loan disbursement, a first-time student Direct Loan borrower must complete Entrance Counseling at https://studentaid.gov/entrance-counseling/ and have the appropriate valid Master Promissory Note (MPN) on file. A student borrowing a Direct Unsubsidized Loan must complete the Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan MPN. A student eligible to borrow a Graduate PLUS Loan must also complete a separate Graduate PLUS Loan MPN. A valid MPN must be on file for the applicable loan type before funds are disbursed; MUA will notify the student when a new MPN is required.

When a borrower graduates, withdraws, or drops below half-time enrollment, the borrower must complete Exit Counseling at https://studentaid.gov/exit-counseling/. Exit Counseling reviews repayment obligations, available repayment plans, deferment and forbearance options, and other borrower rights and responsibilities. Personal information collected during exit counseling is provided to the borrower’s federal loan servicer within 60 days of separation; no additional permission is needed, as borrowers granted authorization when they signed the Master Promissory Note.

Loans borrowed under the Federal Direct Loan Program will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and will be accessible to guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions designated as authorized users of the data system. Borrowers may review their federal loan history at any time by logging in to https://studentaid.gov.

Federal Direct Loans should generally be considered before private education loans. Before applying for a private education loan, students should complete the FAFSA and carefully review any federal aid offered. A student may qualify for assistance under Title IV of the HEA, and the terms and conditions of federal student loans may be more favorable than the provisions of private education loans. Private education loans generally lack the protections available with federal student loans, which may include access to income-driven repayment, deferment or forbearance, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and discharge in cases of death or total and permanent disability.

The Office of Financial Aid does not recommend, promote, or endorse any lender. Students may compare private loan offers, including interest rates, fees, repayment terms, and the cost examples required to be disclosed under the Truth in Lending Act, through an independent third-party marketplace operated separately from MUA. Students are free to apply for a private education loan from any lender they choose, even if the lender does not appear in the marketplace, and MUA will not deny, impede, or unnecessarily delay loan certification because a student selected a particular lender. If a student decides to apply for a private loan, the Office of Financial Aid will provide the Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification Form and the information needed to complete it, including the student’s Cost of Attendance for the loan period and estimated financial assistance. Upon request, the Office of Financial Aid will review the federal aid available to the student before the student commits to private loans.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

The academic standards students must meet to remain eligible for federal aid, how progress is measured each semester, and how to appeal or re-establish eligibility.

The academic standards students must meet to remain eligible for federal aid, how progress is measured each semester, and how to appeal or re-establish eligibility.

The U.S. Department of Education requires institutions of higher education to establish minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress for students receiving federal aid. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) means the student is making satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements. SAP includes two standards: qualitative and quantitative. Students must meet both standards to continue receiving financial aid.

In order to maintain eligibility for financial aid under the qualitative standard, a student must maintain the academic standing necessary to remain at Medical University of the Americas (“MUA”). The Office of Financial Aid will conduct a review at the end of each semester (i.e., payment period) to determine the student’s successful progress toward obtaining a degree by comparing cumulative grade average to hours earned. A student must maintain satisfactory academic performance as outlined below to remain enrolled in the program or to continue receiving aid. A student must also maintain an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 (as determined taking into account grades for repeated courses in the manner defined in the Repeating Courses section below) to continue in the program beyond the basic science portion of the program. Additionally, in order to meet the university’s requirements for graduation, a student must meet all graduation requirements specified in the catalog.

Students may be dismissed by the university at the end of any semester if they have not made sufficient academic progress to warrant continuance of study. Students who fail to maintain sufficient academic progress will be dismissed from the program. Termination of students will follow policies and procedures adopted by the university.

To assess students’ academic progress, the medical school program is divided into increments of Academic Years. An Academic Year is comprised of two semesters. Therefore, the MUA curriculum encompasses one and one half Academic Years in a calendar year. The MUA curriculum is comprised of five Academic Years (ten semesters): 2.5 Academic Years (five semesters) of Basic Science and 2.5 Academic Years (five semesters) of Clinical Medicine. The maximum time frame for completing the entire program of study (including both the Basic Science and Clinical Medicine portions of the program) is 7.5 Academic Years, or 15 semesters.

1. Basic Science students may take up to 4 Academic Years (8 semesters of enrollment) to complete the Basic Science portion of the medical school curriculum. During the Basic Science portion of the program, the following outlines the university’s SAP requirements:

The maximum timeframe for completing the entire program of study, including both the Basic Science and Clinical Medicine portions, is 7.5 Academic Years, or 15 semesters, where an Academic Year is comprised of two semesters. Basic Science students may take up to 4 Academic Years (8 semesters of enrollment) to complete the Basic Science portion of the curriculum, and Clinical Medicine students may take up to 3.5 Academic Years (7 semesters) to complete the Clinical Medicine portion.

Pace of completion, Basic Science (157 total credit hours):

  • By the end of the 1st semester of enrollment: a minimum of 10% of total credit hours (16 credit hours)
  • By the end of the 2nd semester of enrollment: a minimum of 20% of total credit hours (30 credit hours)
  • By the end of the 3rd semester of enrollment: a minimum of 34% of total credit hours (52 credit hours)
  • By the end of the 4th semester of enrollment: a minimum of 48% of total credit hours (74 credit hours)
  • By the end of the 5th semester of enrollment: a minimum of 62% of total credit hours (96 credit hours)
  • By the end of the 6th semester of enrollment: a minimum of 76% of total credit hours (118 credit hours)
  • By the end of the 7th semester of enrollment: 90% of total credit hours (140 credit hours)
  • By the end of the 8th semester of enrollment: 100% of total credit hours (157 credit hours)

Pace of completion, Clinical Medicine (SAP is checked at the end of each semester of clinical enrollment):

  • 12 weeks of Clinical Medicine rotations by the end of the first semester of clinical enrollment
  • 24 weeks by the end of the second semester
  • 36 weeks by the end of the third semester
  • 49 weeks by the end of the fourth semester
  • 61 weeks by the end of the fifth semester
  • 73 weeks by the end of the sixth semester
  • 80 weeks by the end of the seventh semester

2. Clinical students may take up to 3.5 Academic Years (7 semesters) to complete the Clinical Medicine portion of the medical school curriculum. During the Clinical Medicine portion of the program, the following outlines the university’s satisfactory academic progress requirements. SAP is checked at the end of each term of clinical enrollment (i.e., payment period). To meet the university’s requirements for satisfactory progress, students must have completed a minimum of:

If the student does not meet the SAP requirements at the end of a semester, the student will be placed on financial aid warning for the next semester. The student is still considered to be making SAP while on warning and is eligible for Title IV aid.

If, at the end of the warning period, the student does not achieve the SAP requirements, the student may be placed on financial aid probation and remain eligible for Title IV aid if: (a) the student appeals the determination; and (b) the school determines that the student should be able to meet the SAP standards by the end of the subsequent payment period, or the school develops an academic plan for the student that, if followed, will ensure that the student is able to meet the SAP standards by a specific point in time. Students placed on financial aid probation will not be eligible to receive Title IV aid for the subsequent payment period unless the student makes SAP or the school determines that the student met the requirements specified in the academic plan.

If, at the end of the warning period, the student does not achieve the SAP requirements and the student is not placed on financial aid probation, all Title IV aid will be terminated. The student may also be terminated from the school. If the student is not terminated, the student may continue in school as a self-pay student.

MUA evaluates SAP at the end of each semester (i.e., payment period). Withdrawals and incompletes are not included in the overall grade average. Students must complete all required courses by the end of the degree. Students who fail a required course must repeat the course and obtain a passing grade before completion of their degree. There are no noncredit remedial courses. Scheduled awards for the next academic year for students who are not making SAP will be canceled.

Financial aid will be disbursed each semester. Students who withdraw after disbursement will have their eligibility to retain part of their financial aid calculated on the percentage of the semester attended. Students who attend more than 60% of the term may retain all of their aid. See Section D, Return of Title IV Funds, above.

Transfer students’ transcripts will be evaluated by the Program Director. Those courses which are applicable to the degree requirements will be accepted and will be used to measure the quantitative SAP requirement. Only those grades earned at MUA will be used to compute the qualitative requirement.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Students will be notified of any Satisfactory Academic Progress evaluation that impacts the student’s eligibility for Title IV, HEA program funds.

A student may appeal a determination of unsatisfactory progress by submitting a written appeal to the school Director explaining why the student did not meet SAP and what has changed that will allow the student to meet SAP if the appeal is approved. The decision of the Director shall be final. Special consideration will be made only for mitigating circumstances, such as illness, injury, or death in the family. If the appeal is approved, a student will be allowed to reenter or continue in school under a probation period and will be considered to be making SAP and eligible for Title IV funding.

Students receiving an incomplete (I) grade have one marking period to submit the required work to their instructor and receive a final grade. Failure to do so will result in a grade change to an (F).

A failed grade may be repeated and replace the current grade. All credits attempted are considered when calculating maximum time frame. A student’s enrollment status may include repeating any coursework previously taken in the program but may not include more than one repetition of a previously passed course or any repetition of a previously passed course due to the student’s failing other coursework.

Remedial and non-credit remedial courses do not apply and have no effect on satisfactory progress.

Elective Basic Science courses do not apply and have no effect on satisfactory progress.

A “W” is issued for a dropped class and does not affect the CGPA, but the credits are counted as credits attempted and will affect the maximum time frame.

If a student wants to return to school but has been terminated for unsatisfactory progress and is still within the maximum time frame, the student must re-establish eligibility for Title IV funding by completing one semester meeting the satisfactory academic progress requirements.

Enrollment Status

How full-time, half-time, and less-than-half-time enrollment are determined in Basic Science and Clinical Medicine, and how enrollment status affects aid.

How full-time, half-time, and less-than-half-time enrollment are determined in Basic Science and Clinical Medicine, and how enrollment status affects aid.

Enrollment status for Title IV purposes is determined in accordance with 34 CFR 668.2 and the institution’s enrollment status policy, and is certified each payment period. During the Basic Science portion of the program, enrollment status is measured by credit hours: full-time enrollment is 8 credit hours per semester, and half-time enrollment is at least 4 credit hours per semester.

During the Clinical Medicine portion of the program, enrollment status is determined by billing and active rotation placement rather than by credit-hour counting. A student who is actively enrolled in an approved clinical rotation and has tuition billed in full for the payment period is enrolled full-time. Scheduled gaps between individual rotations that fall within a billed Clinical Medicine payment period do not alter the student’s enrollment status, and a student in an active, documented rotation remains enrolled even if a billing gap exists. Financial aid is processed by payment period, not by individual rotation or module.

Periods of required examination preparation between the Basic Science and Clinical Medicine portions of the program are reported as less-than-half-time enrollment.

A drop to less than half-time enrollment is not automatically a withdrawal. Instead, less-than-half-time enrollment triggers a proportional reduction: annual loan limits are prorated and all Cost of Attendance components are adjusted in proportion to the student’s enrollment intensity, as described in Section M. Because Federal Direct Loan funds may only be disbursed to students enrolled at least half time, a student who drops below half-time enrollment is not eligible for further disbursements for that period, must complete exit counseling, and begins the applicable grace period. A student’s enrollment status is reported to NSLDS each reporting cycle. Students with questions about how a schedule change affects enrollment status and aid eligibility should contact the Office of Financial Aid before making the change.

Financial Aid Code of Conduct and Professional Judgment

The conduct rules that govern our financial aid staff, and how to request a review of your aid if you have special circumstances.

The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) requires educational institutions to develop and comply with a code of conduct that prohibits conflicts of interest for financial aid personnel [HEOA Section 487(a)(25)]. Any Medical University of the Americas (“MUA”) officer, employee, or agent who has responsibilities with respect to student educational loans must comply with this code of conduct.

Any employee who is employed in the financial aid office, or who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to education loans or other student financial aid, and who serves on an advisory board, commission, or group established by a lender, guarantor, or group of lenders or guarantors, shall be prohibited from receiving anything of value from the lender, guarantor, or group of lenders or guarantors, except that the employee may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in serving on such advisory board, commission, or group.

Neither MUA as an institution nor any individual officer, employee, or agent shall enter into any revenue-sharing arrangements with any lender. A revenue-sharing arrangement means an arrangement between MUA and a lender under which the lender provides or issues loans to students attending MUA or to the families of such students, and MUA recommends the lender or the loan products of the lender and, in exchange, the lender pays a fee or provides other material benefits, including revenue or profit sharing, to MUA or its agent.

No officer or employee of MUA who has responsibilities with respect to education loans, or agent who has responsibilities with respect to education loans, or any of their family members, shall solicit or accept anything of value (of more than a de minimis amount) in exchange for any advantage sought by the lender in making educational loans available to enrolled or prospective students of MUA.

An MUA officer or employee who is employed in the financial aid office or who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to education loans, or an agent who has responsibilities with respect to education loans, shall not accept from any lender or affiliate of any lender any fee, payment, or other financial benefit (including the opportunity to purchase stock) as compensation for any type of consulting arrangement or other contract to provide services to a lender or on behalf of a lender relating to education loans.

MUA shall not: (a) for any first-time borrower, assign, through award packaging or other methods, the borrower’s loan to a particular lender; or (b) refuse to certify, or delay certification of, any loan based on the borrower’s selection of a particular lender or guaranty agency.

MUA shall not request or accept from any lender any offer of funds to be used for private education loans, including funds for an opportunity pool loan, to students in exchange for the institution providing concessions or promises regarding providing the lender with: (a) a specified number of private education loans (non-Title IV loans) or loans made, insured, or guaranteed under Title IV; (b) a specified loan volume of such loans; or (c) a preferred lender arrangement for such loans.

MUA shall not request or accept from any lender any assistance with call center staffing or financial aid office staffing.

Under section 479A of the HEA, the Office of Financial Aid may exercise professional judgment, on a case-by-case basis and with adequate documentation, to adjust the data elements used to determine a student’s federal aid eligibility or the components of the student’s Cost of Attendance in order to account for special or unusual circumstances. Examples of circumstances that may warrant review include a change in income, unusual medical expenses, or other documented conditions that differentiate the student’s situation. A professional judgment decision does not guarantee an adjustment, and all decisions are final at the institutional level. Students who wish to request a professional judgment review should contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Student Records and Policies

FERPA: Privacy of Student Records

Your rights to inspect, amend, and control disclosure of your education records, and how to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education.

Students’ rights to inspect, amend, and control disclosure of their education records, and how to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights regarding their education records. These rights include:

  • The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day MUA receives a written request for access. Students should submit a written request to the Office of the Registrar identifying the record(s) they wish to inspect. The Registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
  • The right to request an amendment of an education record the student believes is inaccurate or misleading. Students should submit a written request to the Office of the Registrar, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If MUA decides not to amend the record as requested, MUA will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing.
  • The right to provide written consent before MUA discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception permitting disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by MUA in an administrative, supervisory, academic, or support staff position, or a person or company with whom MUA has contracted as its agent to provide a service instead of using its own employees. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the institution.
  • The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by MUA to comply with the requirements of FERPA. Complaints may be directed to: Student Privacy Policy Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202.

Records that may be released to the student for review include grade and evaluation reports and transcripts that relate to student progress. Student progress notes held by individual faculty are not considered part of the student’s official file and cannot be released. Students who wish to authorize the release of education records to a third party must complete a signed release form, available from the Office of the Registrar.s that relate to student progress. Student progress notes held by individual faculty are not considered part of the student’s official file and cannot be released. Students who wish to authorize the release of educational records to a third party must complete and sign a release form, available from the Office of the Registrar.

Safeguarding of Customer Information

How the institution protects the security and confidentiality of student financial aid records under the federal Safeguards Rule.

How the institution protects the security and confidentiality of student financial aid records under the federal Safeguards Rule.

Institutions participating in the federal student aid programs are subject to the information security requirements established by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for financial institutions under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) Safeguards Rule (16 CFR Part 314). MUA maintains an information security program that includes administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of student financial aid records and other customer information collected, processed, stored, transmitted, or disposed of by the institution. Questions regarding the institution’s information security program may be directed to the Office of Financial Aid. The institution’s privacy policy is available at https://www.mua.edu/privacy-policy.

Complaints Process

Contact information for filing a complaint with our accreditor and with state agencies.

Contact information for filing a complaint with the institution’s accrediting agency and with state agencies.

Federal Program Integrity rules issued by the U.S. Department of Education require institutions to provide to students or prospective students contact information needed to file a complaint with the institution’s accrediting agency and with relevant state agencies. This list includes contact information for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. It should not be construed as informative of what agencies regulate Medical University of the Americas or in what states the institution is licensed or required to be licensed. That information, along with contact information for our accreditor, can be found in the academic catalog. Contact information for student complaint processes is available from the Office of Financial Aid upon request and posted with the student consumer information at https://www.mua.edu/student-consumer-information. In accordance with 34 CFR 668.43(b), MUA will make available for review to any enrolled or prospective student, upon request, a copy of the documents describing the institution’s accreditation and its approvals or licensing.

This document contains the consumer information disclosures applicable to Medical University of the Americas as a foreign institution participating in the Federal Direct Loan Program, under HEA section 485, 34 CFR 668 Subpart D, 34 CFR 600.55, and the November 2018 Federal Register waiver of certain consumer information requirements for foreign institutions. Last reviewed and updated: September 2026, Office of Financial Aid. This document is reviewed annually and updated as federal regulations and institutional policies change.

Honor Code, Student Activities, Health and Safety, Voter Registration, Military Leave

Additional institutional policies and resources are retained on this page for student reference.

Institutional health and safety guidance for medical students, including vaccination requirements and clinical precautions.

Students are required to sign an honor code contract prior to matriculation, stating that he/she will maintain a high degree of personal honor and integrity during their medical training. The Student Honor Code is printed in the Student Handbook.

Where to learn about student life and activities.

https://www.mua.edu/student-experience

Institutional health and safety guidance for medical students, including vaccination requirements and clinical precautions.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy

The use, possession or distribution of illegal drugs carries serious penalties. Abuse of alcohol resulting in impaired performance or legal difficulties will be dealt with stringently. Medical University of the Americas recognizes health care professionals are at risk for substance abuse and will attempt to assist any student with substance abuse problems in a rehabilitative manner. The services of a psychiatrist and psychologist are available for such cases.

Vaccination Policy

Diseases you are exposed to in the Hospital or Office include:

  • Needle sticks and Blood and Body Fluid Exposures
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • HIV
  • Aerosol and Droplet Exposures
  • TB
  • Measles
  • Chickenpox
  • Meningococcus
  • Pertussis
  • Influenza
  • Rubella
  • Fecal Transmission
  • Salmonella
  • Shigella
  • Cryptosporidiosis
  • Enterovirus
  • Adenvirus
  • Hepatitis A
  • Direct Inoculation
  • Herpes Simplex
  • S. Aureus
  • Group A Streptococcus
  • EKC (Pink Eye)
  • Syphilis
  • Scabies

Diseases You Can Transmit to Patients or Other Healthcare Personnel include:

  • Respiratory Route
  • TB
  • Influenza
  • Measles
  • Chickenpox
  • Rubella
  • Direct Contact

1) Herpes Simplex2) EKC

  • Enteric Infections
  • Gram-Negative Bacilli
  • S. Aureus
  • Drug Resistant Bacteria
  • Hepatitis B
  • Grp A Strep, Clostridia

Precautions

Wash Your Hands for at least 15 seconds, more is better!

  • Hands washed without using a scrub agent will not significantly reduce the numbers of resident organisms (e.g. S. epi, Corynebacteria, P. acnes,) but is effective in removing transient flora such as gram-negative bacilli and S. Aureus.
  • Always wash hands between different patients as well as between “clean and dirty” sites on the same patient.
  • Always wash hands, and then glove (put on gloves) before inserting or manipulating an intravascular device or any other device, which will enter a sterile body site. Wear a mask too.

Observe Isolation Procedures

  • Isolation procedures are based on a large body of scientific work. They come from the CDC, and are based on recommendations from people who are smarter than most of us. They are rational.
  • Each isolation category specifies whether gloves, gowns, masks, or goggles are necessary when in close contact with the patient or even entering the room.
  • Isolation is intended for appropriate patients whether they are alive or dead. Specimens derived from patients. All specimens taken from isolated patients must be designated as isolation specimens and placed in the appropriate protective bags. The lab must be aware that a specimen is from an isolation patient as body fluids can be hazardous when spilled, splattered or aerosolized in the lab.
  • There is a copy of the infection control manual and the isolation category cards at every nursing station refer to them or contact the Hospital’s Epidemiology Department when you have questions.

If you are sick:

  • Consult a physician. If you go home, tell the hospital immediately and e-mail to MUA. Follow the MUA procedures.
  • Wear a mask if you’ve have a respiratory illness, go home if you think you have influenza
  • Wash your hands a lot.
  • If you have a contagious disease or have been exposed to one, the Hospital needs to know. Report it to your supervisor for the particular rotation and tell MUA.

Be Careful with Needles

  • Do not attempt to recap them.
  • Dispose of them (used or un-used) only in the red plastic containers.
  • Know where the container is located BEFORE using needles.
  • Do not use needle cutters, and do not try to bend or break them yourself.
  • Be careful when you are cleaning up after any bedside procedure, e.g. lumbar punctures/spinal taps, thoracentesis, bone marrow aspiration. Do not leave needles under drapes if the nurses are going to clean up for you.
  • During blood culturing, there is no need to change needles between the patient and the blood culture bottles.
  • Occasionally while in the hospital or clinic, a student is accidentally stuck with a needle potentially contaminated by infectious material. Should this occur you should thoroughly clean the wound immediately and stimulate bleeding. As soon as possible you should inform your supervisor for the particular rotation. An incident report should be filed at the nursing station and a note made in the patient’s chart. Every hospital has a Needle-Stick Policy, ask the nurse in charge for it, and follow it immediately and completely. If you make a decision to not follow the Hospital/clinical site procedures completely, you must sign a waiver at the clinical site, AND tell MUA immediately (within 48 hours) so it can be recorded. Failure to notify MUA immediately is grounds for dismissal from the school.

Generic Blood and Body Fluid Precautions

  • Follow Universal Precautions for Body Fluid Exposure at all times.
  • Use disposable, non-sterile gloves whenever you handle blood, urine, sputum, or any other bodily fluid from any patient, or you change dressings or manipulate an IV or a catheter.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

  • Safe and Efficacious
  • Both Engerix and Recombivax are derived from yeast via gene cloning and are absolutely free of infection risk.
  • HBIG (serum derived) is required if exposed without prior vaccine.
  • Vaccine is required at this point too.
  • Single needle stick exposure to HBeAG+ person will result in 40% chance of clinical Hepatitis B or seroconversion.
  • Sequelae of Chronic Carrier state. Chronic Hepatitis Cirrhosis Delta Virus Superinfection Hepatoma Vasculitis
  • Limiting your ability to practice your specialty of choice

HIV/AIDS

  • Incidence and prevalence in the population continues to be of serious concern.
  • HIV transmission has been documented due to occupational exposure, but is unusual. The risk from a needle stick is about 1:300.
  • In prospective studies of 1000 unbroken mucous membrane or skin exposures, there has been no documented transmission.
  • No HIV transmission occurs with casual contact, nor with fairly intimate but not sexual or parenteral exposure. Recommended isolation procedures are no doubt adequate, but be careful.
  • If you’re pregnant, or think you are, no special precautions are needed outside of standard isolation procedures. In general, this would be a situation where generic blood and body fluid precautions should be followed.

Vaccination/Prevention

  • In addition to Hepatitis B vaccine, you should receive the appropriate yearly influenza vaccine.
  • Measles, Mumps, Chicken Pox, and Rubella serologies are required and a booster is indicated with repeat serology if you are not immune.
  • Your TB infection record must be assessed and recorded every year.
  • If your TST/PPD (TB Skin Test) is negative, we now mandate a Two Step TST/PPD. If your TB skin test is positive, irrespective whether you received BCG or not, we consider it a ‘positive’ and require a physical exam confirming your good health, and a recent Chest X Ray (CXR).

RESPIRATORY MASK USE AND FITTING

Occasionally, especially when an influenza epidemic is threatening, a hospital asks that a student be certified in mask fitting which means that the student knows what size mask he/she needs and has learned how to don the mask. However, since international medical schools use multiple hospitals for the clinical training of their students, and these hospitals do not all use the same type of mask it is impossible for MUA to certify its students. Please read

Where to find voter registration information for U.S. students.

Information on voter registration in the United States can be found at: https://vote.gov/

The refund treatment for students involuntarily called to active military duty.

If a student receives an involuntary call to active military duty, tuition and fees shall be refunded in full for the current enrollment period, less an administrative fee of $100 and the acceptance deposit.

Outcomes and Required Reporting

Foreign Graduate Medical School Disclosures (34 CFR 600.55)

As a foreign graduate medical school in the Direct Loan Program, MUA reports USMLE pass rates, on-time completion rates, student debt levels, and residency placements to the U.S. Department of Education, which then publishes the data for students.

As a foreign graduate medical school in the Direct Loan Program, the institution reports USMLE pass rates, on-time completion rates, student debt levels, and residency placements to the U.S. Department of Education, which then publishes the data for students.

As a foreign graduate medical school participating in the Federal Direct Loan Program, MUA reports annually to the U.S. Department of Education, on an educational program basis, the data required under 34 CFR 600.55(d) and Dear Colleague Letter GEN-12-20, including: scores earned by students and graduates on Step 1 and Step 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE); the on-time completion rate for U.S. students; the median and mean federal student loan debt, private education loan debt, and institutional loan debt incurred by U.S. students who completed the medical program; and graduates’ placements in U.S. medical residency programs. The Department publishes this information for prospective and enrolled students at: https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/medical-university-americas.pdf

The most recently reported figures, as published by the U.S. Department of Education (April 2020, calendar year 2019), are as follows: on-time completion rate for U.S. students in the medical program: 44% (14 of 32); mean Title IV loan debt for U.S. completers: $145,741; median Title IV loan debt for U.S. completers: $154,189; mean private education loan debt for U.S. completers: $3,932; median private education loan debt for U.S. completers: $0; mean and median institutional loan debt for U.S. completers: $0. USMLE performance information is available at https://www.mua.edu/why-mua/facts-and-stats and upon request from the Office of the Registrar. MUA also collects and submits, to its accrediting body and to the Department upon request, graduate placements in U.S. medical residency programs for the preceding calendar year.

U.S. Department of Education Program Information Website

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Department maintains a website with program-level information; access details will be linked here once published.

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Department maintains a website with program-level information; access details will be provided once published.

Under 34 CFR 668.43(d), beginning July 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education will maintain a website with information about institutions and their educational programs. The information may include the published length of the program, enrollment, the total cost of tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment, the percentage of enrolled students who borrowed federal or private loans, median loan debt, median earnings, programmatic accreditation, debt-to-earnings rates, and the earnings premium measure. MUA will provide access to the Department’s program information website for MUA on its student consumer information page as soon as the Department makes the website available. MUA will provide this access information to prospective students before the prospective student signs an enrollment agreement, completes registration, or makes a financial commitment to the institution, and to each enrolled Title IV recipient prior to the start of the first payment period associated with each subsequent award year of continued enrollment.

This document contains the consumer information disclosures applicable to Medical University of the Americas, a foreign institution participating in the Federal Direct Loan Program, under HEA section 485, 34 CFR 668 Subpart D, 34 CFR 600.55, and the November 2018 Federal Register waiver of certain consumer information requirements for foreign institutions. Last reviewed and updated: September 2026, Office of Financial Aid. This document is reviewed annually and updated as federal regulations and institutional policies change.

The Full Student Consumer Information Document

Last reviewed and updated: September 2026, Office of Financial Aid. This document is reviewed annually and updated as federal regulations and institutional policies change.