The Facts on Cost
Below is a list of 10 questions to help you get a conversation started with the financial aid office professionals at the medical schools you are considering attending.
In the most recent edition of the Medical Student Education: Debt, Costs, and Loan Repayment Fact Card, which is published every October, the data indicated that 73% of all medical students graduating in 2021 reported leaving medical school with student loan debt. Most medical students will need to borrow at least some federal student loans to cover the cost of their medical education, so it’s good to start thinking about how to pay for medical school early.
What You Should Ask
Here are 10 questions to get the medical school financial aid discussion started:
- How much does a medical education cost at your school?
- What was the average amount of debt for the most recent graduating class?
- Is a supplemental financial aid application required at this school?
- Do you require parental information to determine a financial aid package?
- What scholarships and grants are available and when can I apply for them?
- If I get a scholarship for one year, will it continue to be offered in subsequent years?
- Does your school offer institutional loans? If you do, what are the terms and conditions and how much of my yearly cost will they cover? Are they awarded each year?
- How can I cut down on my yearly expenses, costs, and borrowing?
- Do students who are awarded the AAMC’s Fee Assistance Program qualify for any additional financial aid benefits at your school?
- Can medical students work part-time while attending this medical school?
Finding the Answers
Visit the school’s financial aid web pages and review the Tuition, Aid & Debt section of the Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR). You can also speak directly with a financial aid officer at the medical school by making an appointment during a campus visit or by email.
Remember, although a medical education is expensive, there are many sources of aid that can help you pay for medical school. Some sources of financial aid may include scholarships, grants, and loans.
By obtaining the answers to these questions, you’ll better understand the medical school’s financial aid application process, the types of aid available at each school, and you can equip yourself with tips to help minimize your student loan debt.
In addition to talking with the medical school financial aid staff, you should also utilize the free resources and tools from the AAMC’s FIRST program.
