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Loan Repayment

MMUF alumni are eligible for up to $10,000 in loan repayment for qualifying undergraduate and graduate education loans.

To qualify for loan repayment, alumni must:

  • Enroll in a Ph.D. program in a Mellon-approved field within 39 months of graduating from Emory.
    • Alumni who enroll after 39 months must contact the MMUF Senior Program Coordinator to request an exception from the Mellon Foundation.
    • Terminal master’s programs are not eligible for loan repayment.

Repayment Details

  • During Ph.D. Studies: For each of the first four years of full-time Ph.D. enrollment, the Mellon Foundation, through Emory University, will repay one-eighth of your undergraduate debts (up to $1,250 per year, for a total of up to $5,000).
  • Upon Ph.D. Completion: An additional $5,000 will be repaid upon earning the Ph.D., which must be requested within three years of receiving your Ph.D.
    • Total Loan Repayment Limit: The total amount of loan repayment may not exceed $10,000 and may only be used toward designated educational loans from recognized lenders.

Eligible Loans

  • Undergraduate loans from Perkins, Stafford, Parent PLUS or other qualifying college loan programs.
  • If your undergraduate loans are less than $10,000, remaining repayment funds may be applied toward graduate loans upon Ph.D. completion.

Important Notes

  • Loan repayment funds will be sent directly to MMUF alumni, NOT to loan lenders. Alumni are responsible for using these funds to pay their lenders.
  • Emory University and the Mellon Foundation require strict compliance with this policy to ensure funds are used as intended.
  • Loan repayment requests must be submitted within three years of completing your Ph.D.

Application Steps

  1. Complete the Graduate Study Verification (GSV) Form
    • This form must be signed by your department chair, doctoral program director, or registrar's office to verify full-time Ph.D. enrollment.
  2. Gather Required Documents
    • Graduate transcript verifying full-time Ph.D. enrollment.
    • Statement of total loan indebtedness from your loan lender, including:
      • Lender’s name, address, and phone number
      • Current total remaining balance of all loans for which you are requesting repayment
  3. Submit Your MMUF Loan Repayment Application

While the Mellon Foundation funds the Loan Repayment Program, its administration has been assigned to Emory University. If you have any questions or concerns about the process, please contact Naomi Diemer, senior program coordinator for the Emory MMUF program, at naomi.love.diemer@emory.edu.

Congratulations on your progress, and best wishes for the future!