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4 Tips for Making Medical School Easier to Afford

By Eric Hamilton | Update Date: Feb 24, 2020 02:14 PM EST
4 Tips for Making Medical School Easier to Afford

(Photo : 4 Tips for Making Medical School Easier to Afford)

Getting into medical school is one of the greatest accomplishments that someone could possibly have. Becoming a doctor or other medical professional is a career that offers stability, growth, advancement and an incredibly solid income. However, many pre-med students are aware that getting into a medical university isn't just difficult, it's also very expensive. Thankfully, there are ways to cut the costs associated with continuing your education so that it isn't such a financial dilemma.

Compare Universities

Not all schools are alike, and some simply cost more than others. Some of the most expensive universities are those that are considered to be ivy league facilities. While these particular colleges look great on a resume, they can also be overly expensive for students on a budget. For this reason, it makes sense to continually compare different schools to see which one is better suited to your budgeting needs. Meet with several school representatives to find out more about all of the costs involved. Some colleges even have their fees published on their websites, making it easier for you to browse without having to meet with faculty staff.

Have Any and All Prerequisites

Before getting into a medical college, you will want to take several pre-med majors. There isn't necessarily one specific major that is ideal for those looking to go on to earn their doctorate degree. However, you may want to consider focusing on studies like biology, humanities, science and health. It's not uncommon for individuals wanting to enter medical school to start studying within the field by becoming nurses, physical therapists, dental hygienists, social workers and veterinarian assistants. By taking some solid prerequisites, you are less likely to need additional education in med school, thus lowering costs.

Look for Financial Aid Options

There are lots of different financial aid options available to students looking to further their careers. You might want to consider taking out a student loan, which will provide you with the money necessary for tuition, books and housing costs. Most of these loans won't need to be paid back until you actually graduate. You can also look into grant writing, which can be done to obtain money necessary to get into a good school. Grants are often given to students by investors and government agencies, so it's important to look at all of your options before applying and prior to giving up on ever receiving grant money.

Research Repayment and Forgiveness Programs

There are a number of repayment and forgiveness programs that are ideal for students of varying ages and needs. For example, parents can receive loan forgiveness after many years of paying back their lenders. Individuals who join the military can have past loans paid off before continuing their education. You might want to focus on completely paying off previous debts before taking more on when getting into school. This can help to prevent the small amount of debt that you have from getting larger, which can have an impact on how easy it is to afford once you graduate from the university that you are attending.

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