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What are some tips for students looking to fund med school?
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4 answers
Bhavna Sheth
107
Answers
Collinsville, Virginia
Updated
Bhavna’s Answer
Hello
1. Research and apply for scholarships: Many organizations offer scholarships specifically for medical students. Look into local, state, and national organizations that may offer scholarships to help fund your medical school education. 2. Consider loan options: Federal loans are available to medical students, as well as private loans from banks and other lenders. Be sure to research the terms of each loan before signing any paperwork. 3. Look into grants: Grants are a great way to fund your medical school education without having to pay them back. Look into grants offered by the government, foundations, and other organizations that may be able to help you pay for your tuition and other expenses associated with medical school. 4. Work part-time: Working part-time while in medical school can help you cover some of your expenses while still allowing you to focus on your studies. Consider working in a hospital or clinic setting so that you can gain valuable experience while earning money at the same time. 5. Utilize crowdfunding platforms: Crowdfunding platforms such as GoFundMe allow you to raise money from friends, family, and strangers who are willing to donate towards your cause. This is a great way to get additional funding for med school if all else fails!
1. Research and apply for scholarships: Many organizations offer scholarships specifically for medical students. Look into local, state, and national organizations that may offer scholarships to help fund your medical school education. 2. Consider loan options: Federal loans are available to medical students, as well as private loans from banks and other lenders. Be sure to research the terms of each loan before signing any paperwork. 3. Look into grants: Grants are a great way to fund your medical school education without having to pay them back. Look into grants offered by the government, foundations, and other organizations that may be able to help you pay for your tuition and other expenses associated with medical school. 4. Work part-time: Working part-time while in medical school can help you cover some of your expenses while still allowing you to focus on your studies. Consider working in a hospital or clinic setting so that you can gain valuable experience while earning money at the same time. 5. Utilize crowdfunding platforms: Crowdfunding platforms such as GoFundMe allow you to raise money from friends, family, and strangers who are willing to donate towards your cause. This is a great way to get additional funding for med school if all else fails!
Medical school is a full time job on its own, schools discourage working during medical school because it is incredibly difficult to keep up with material appropriately and work at the same time. The few people who do work only work one day a week and are pursuing less competitive specialities.
Raquel Davis
Yasemin G.
Aspiring physician
635
Answers
Updated
Yasemin’s Answer
Hello! I resonate with the answers given. During your interview process there is a panel on financial aid and how to pay for medical school/what resources can be used, this is where you learn about different scholarships and opportunities. That being said, if you are taking a gap year or are even in college, you can work part time to save up money, some of my classmates definitely held down significant positions such as working in a doctor's office and saving up money before medical school. Living within your means is good advice, therefore finding housing that is cheap or having a roommate are options to consider. Cooking in bulk can also help, as eating out can be expensive. Medical school is challenging and does require a lot of time to study so while there are moments where take out before an exam is needed, it is beneficial to limit it in the long run. Stores like ACME, Aldi and Walmart definitely have savings and deals where you can get groceries and not spend too much. I do think it could be beneficial to tutor especially during break, but going back to my previous point medical school is challenging, it's a wonderful field but it is arduous so therefore working part time can be challenging, you want to reset and find time to yourself as much as possible. I think tutoring is probably the best especially if you do well in your class and can tutor at the medical school! Best of luck!
Ingrid Royster RN, CCRN-K
Registered Nurse
2
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Ingrid’s Answer
Funding medical school can be a daunting thought. There are resources to assist you & different options to fit into your life.
- The military offers many types of contracts for physicians. Delayed service options for after residency allow you to complete your training first. Both active duty and reserves options with different lengths of required service. Different branches-Army, Air Force, Navy, National Guard or Coast Guards - all have different options. Before talking to a recruiter I recommend researching the options on line & reaching out to a medical/physician recruiter.
-Student loans- there are different types of loans for medical students. Know the ins & outs of each before choosing & look into loan forgiveness to ensure you can make the best situation for yourself. Make appointments with your schools financial advisor early and schedule more than one visit to sort through options & utilize their access to different resources.
-Loan forgiveness programs. These programs offer varying amounts of forgiveness. Public Service Loan Forgiveness, National Health Service Corp program, and state specific programs are all available. Know the rules because many only cover certain types of loans. If you’re able to work in approved areas and meet other requirements this can be a perfect way to help society & relieve your debt.
-Live the student life during school, not what people think is the doctor life. Small house, dependable car, eating in. Limit extras. You’ll be studying. You don’t need multiple subscriptions to TV. Look for health insurance that’s available for low income. This limits the amount of loans you need.
- Make a plan to repay loans in X number of years. Prioritize that bill every month even if it means in residency you do not max out the home loan available to physicians.
- Facility reimbursement programs. When you are interviewing for positions after residency remember to discuss if they offer loan reimbursement as part of the offer package. This typically involves a contract to continue service with the facility for X number of years to avoid repayment requirements.
- Internships and jobs during college. Bank as much as possible to save for living expenses during med school. This reduces your final loan amount.
There are many ways to assist with loan burdens when you start your new career. It’s an exciting journey. I hope this list helps you!!
- The military offers many types of contracts for physicians. Delayed service options for after residency allow you to complete your training first. Both active duty and reserves options with different lengths of required service. Different branches-Army, Air Force, Navy, National Guard or Coast Guards - all have different options. Before talking to a recruiter I recommend researching the options on line & reaching out to a medical/physician recruiter.
-Student loans- there are different types of loans for medical students. Know the ins & outs of each before choosing & look into loan forgiveness to ensure you can make the best situation for yourself. Make appointments with your schools financial advisor early and schedule more than one visit to sort through options & utilize their access to different resources.
-Loan forgiveness programs. These programs offer varying amounts of forgiveness. Public Service Loan Forgiveness, National Health Service Corp program, and state specific programs are all available. Know the rules because many only cover certain types of loans. If you’re able to work in approved areas and meet other requirements this can be a perfect way to help society & relieve your debt.
-Live the student life during school, not what people think is the doctor life. Small house, dependable car, eating in. Limit extras. You’ll be studying. You don’t need multiple subscriptions to TV. Look for health insurance that’s available for low income. This limits the amount of loans you need.
- Make a plan to repay loans in X number of years. Prioritize that bill every month even if it means in residency you do not max out the home loan available to physicians.
- Facility reimbursement programs. When you are interviewing for positions after residency remember to discuss if they offer loan reimbursement as part of the offer package. This typically involves a contract to continue service with the facility for X number of years to avoid repayment requirements.
- Internships and jobs during college. Bank as much as possible to save for living expenses during med school. This reduces your final loan amount.
There are many ways to assist with loan burdens when you start your new career. It’s an exciting journey. I hope this list helps you!!
Christopher Jacobs
Tech Consulting
2
Answers
Athens, Georgia
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
Financing medical school can be a challenging and stressful experience for students. However, there are several ways to fund medical school, which can help alleviate some of the financial burden. Here are some tips that can help students acquire the financial resources they need to pursue their studies:
-Explore scholarships and grants: Scholarships and grants are excellent ways to obtain financial aid that does not have to be repaid. Many organizations offer scholarships specifically for medical students, including professional organizations, foundations, and nonprofit organizations. Students should research and apply for as many scholarships and grants as possible, as they can significantly reduce the cost of medical education.
-Take out student loans: While taking out loans may not be ideal, it can be an effective option for financing medical school. Federal student loans, such as Stafford and Perkins loans, offer low interest rates and more favorable repayment terms than private loans. Students should only borrow what they need and should be aware of the terms and conditions of their loans.
-Seek part-time employment: Many medical students work part-time while in school to help cover their expenses. Some medical schools offer work-study programs, which provide on-campus employment opportunities for students. Additionally, students can explore other part-time employment opportunities, such as tutoring or medical scribing, to supplement their income.
-Research tuition reimbursement programs: Several hospitals and healthcare organizations offer tuition reimbursement programs to their employees. These programs typically require students to work for the organization for a certain amount of time after graduation. Tuition reimbursement programs can be an effective way to fund medical school and provide students with valuable work experience.
-Live within your means: Medical school is expensive, and students should budget their expenses carefully. Students should explore affordable housing options, such as living with roommates or in a less expensive neighborhood. They should also look for deals on textbooks and other course materials, and avoid unnecessary expenses.
-Seek advice from financial aid advisors: Financial aid advisors can provide valuable guidance on how to finance medical education. They can help students understand their financial aid options, create a budget, and plan for loan repayment. Students should take advantage of the resources available to them and seek advice from financial aid advisors and other relevant organizations.
In summary, there are several ways to finance medical education, including scholarships and grants, student loans, part-time employment, tuition reimbursement programs, living within your means, and seeking advice from financial aid advisors. By exploring these options, students can reduce the financial burden of medical school and achieve their career goals.
-Explore scholarships and grants: Scholarships and grants are excellent ways to obtain financial aid that does not have to be repaid. Many organizations offer scholarships specifically for medical students, including professional organizations, foundations, and nonprofit organizations. Students should research and apply for as many scholarships and grants as possible, as they can significantly reduce the cost of medical education.
-Take out student loans: While taking out loans may not be ideal, it can be an effective option for financing medical school. Federal student loans, such as Stafford and Perkins loans, offer low interest rates and more favorable repayment terms than private loans. Students should only borrow what they need and should be aware of the terms and conditions of their loans.
-Seek part-time employment: Many medical students work part-time while in school to help cover their expenses. Some medical schools offer work-study programs, which provide on-campus employment opportunities for students. Additionally, students can explore other part-time employment opportunities, such as tutoring or medical scribing, to supplement their income.
-Research tuition reimbursement programs: Several hospitals and healthcare organizations offer tuition reimbursement programs to their employees. These programs typically require students to work for the organization for a certain amount of time after graduation. Tuition reimbursement programs can be an effective way to fund medical school and provide students with valuable work experience.
-Live within your means: Medical school is expensive, and students should budget their expenses carefully. Students should explore affordable housing options, such as living with roommates or in a less expensive neighborhood. They should also look for deals on textbooks and other course materials, and avoid unnecessary expenses.
-Seek advice from financial aid advisors: Financial aid advisors can provide valuable guidance on how to finance medical education. They can help students understand their financial aid options, create a budget, and plan for loan repayment. Students should take advantage of the resources available to them and seek advice from financial aid advisors and other relevant organizations.
In summary, there are several ways to finance medical education, including scholarships and grants, student loans, part-time employment, tuition reimbursement programs, living within your means, and seeking advice from financial aid advisors. By exploring these options, students can reduce the financial burden of medical school and achieve their career goals.