Meet the Team
How We Help
The Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine (MSOM) Office of Financial Aid is committed to supporting students in financing their education, developing financial wellness, and building financial literacy. We also provide personalized financial aid counseling throughout your time at MSOM.
All students are required to:
- Participate in one-on-one entrance counseling
- Attend at least two financial literacy programs each academic year
- Complete exit counseling at the end of the program
Individual advising is available to all students year-round.
Once MSOM receives approval to offer Federal Student Aid, the Office of Financial Aid will contact all enrolled students. Please note that your official method of communication will be your MSOM.org email address—be sure to check it at least three times per week.
As part of our commitment to your financial success, MSOM offers quarterly Financial Literacy sessions. While students are only required to attend two sessions per year, we strongly encourage participation in all four.
We can also assist with:
- Billing and payment
- Private educational loans
- Federal student aid
- VA educational benefits
- HPSP program
- Meal plans
- Health insurance
- Budgeting
- Scholarships
- FERPA waivers
- Loan deferments and repayment
- Unusual financial circumstancesWe
Rachel Richards, Director of Financial Aid
Rachel.Richards@msom.org | 301-790-9063
Rachel Richards started at Meritus Health in January 2024 as the Director of Financial Aid for Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine (MSOM). She comes to MSOM with over 20 years of financial aid experience having worked at various public and private institutions. Rachel’s favorite thing about working in financial aid is assisting students with funding for college and she is always ‘happy to help’! Rachel lives in Chambersburg, PA with her husband, two children and dog, Atticus.
Victoria John, Financial Aid Coordinator
Victoria.John@msom.org | 240-313-9686
Victoria John serves as the Financial Aid Coordinator at Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine, where she brings over three years of experience helping students navigate the complexities of financial aid. She provides personalized guidance to promote financial literacy and empower students to make informed decisions about their educational investment.
Victoria earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology with an emphasis on Social Sciences from West Virginia University, where she also completed dual minors in Psychology and Spanish. She was recognized as a Global Mountaineer at WVU for her commitment to global engagement and cross-cultural learning. In addition to her academic achievements, she holds a credential from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), demonstrating her dedication to excellence in financial aid administration.
Beyond her professional work, Victoria enjoys traveling, studying languages, and gaming. She is deeply committed to expanding access to education and supporting learners from all walks of life.