There’s no getting around the fact that attending professional school is expensive. The best response is to begin strategizing about managing the expense of applying and attending as soon as possible. We have some suggestions to help with this.
The vast majority of students in any health professions program pay for their education using loans to cover much or all of the cost. The Association of American Medical Colleges (M.D. schools) has compiled resources to help finance your medical education. Other healthcare professions schools may be less expensive, but their students also pay for their education primarily through loans.
It’s never too soon to start preparing for the possibility that you might need to qualify for a considerable amount of loans to finance your professional school education. Step one is to limit the debt you accumulate as an undergraduate.
If you have been admitted to a program, make sure you understand who you can consult regarding your financial aid questions. As long as you are polite and bring them reasonable requests, financial aid officials at these schools are typically very happy to help. Provide the information needed to make a good decision about your financial aid package, including completing the FAFSA early. (Some grants and loan opportunities may get depleted before you have a chance at them if you wait too long.)
Check out the Scholarships and Fellowships Database made available through the U-M Library.
For those committed to working in medically underserved areas, some health professions students are eligible for scholarships or loan forgiveness through the National Health Service Corps.
Other federally funded health professions scholarships are available through the U.S. Armed Forces.
