Methods to pay for a DO school

[Biology101]

What are the best ways to finance a medical education?

-Loans
-Army
-Repayment

Does anyone know about programs for Il residents?

[Bacchus]

The majority of students use loans. Do not use a military scholarship unless you want to serve in the military, its not worth it otherwise. The NHSC offers loan repayment and I believe you apply in your first year. You can apply in subsequent years but each year that goes by is a year lost in repayment. You must serve the same number of years, I believe, in an area they tell you to. Since a lot of these areas are rural and you have no loans, you create a nice nest egg quickly. However, you are committed to primary care. The NHSC is competitive. There are also loan repayment plans other than the NHSC. Pennsylvania has a repayment plan, but I believe in the end, for four years of service, it covers about one year of school. Its not worth it, to me.

[redrumi]

I picked loans so I wouldn't be beholden to any contract I might not agree with after the next four years. For me freedom is priceless.

[Biology101]

Originally Posted by Bacchus

The majority of students use loans. Do not use a military scholarship unless you want to serve in the military, its not worth it otherwise. The NHSC offers loan repayment and I believe you apply in your first year. You can apply in subsequent years but each year that goes by is a year lost in repayment. You must serve the same number of years, I believe, in an area they tell you to. Since a lot of these areas are rural and you have no loans, you create a nice nest egg quickly. However, you are committed to primary care. The NHSC is competitive. There are also loan repayment plans other than the NHSC. Pennsylvania has a repayment plan, but I believe in the end, for four years of service, it covers about one year of school. Its not worth it, to me.

I am fine with primary care, just looking for alternatives to military scholarships.

[PunkmedGirl]

Originally Posted by Bacchus

The majority of students use loans. Do not use a military scholarship unless you want to serve in the military, its not worth it otherwise. The NHSC offers loan repayment and I believe you apply in your first year. You can apply in subsequent years but each year that goes by is a year lost in repayment. You must serve the same number of years, I believe, in an area they tell you to. Since a lot of these areas are rural and you have no loans, you create a nice nest egg quickly. However, you are committed to primary care. The NHSC is competitive. There are also loan repayment plans other than the NHSC. Pennsylvania has a repayment plan, but I believe in the end, for four years of service, it covers about one year of school. Its not worth it, to me.

That's my SONNNNGGGG!!!!!!!!!

[Bacchus]

You say that now. But, you might not go into primary care in the future. NHSC considers primary care:

•family practice (3 years),
•general internal medicine (3 years),
•general pediatrics (3 years),
•general psychiatry (4 years),
•internal medicine/family practice (4 years),
•internal medicine/pediatrics (4 years),
•obstetrics-gynecology (4 years), and
•rotating internship with a request to complete one of the above specialties (D.O. only)

I wouldn't limit yourself, unless you know for sure you want to enter one of these fields. You cannot do subspecialties (neonatology in pediatrics, cardiology in IM).

You can always find a loan repayment plan after school or go into a high-paying specialty.

[SolanoDoc]

Originally Posted by Biology101

What are the best ways to finance a medical education?

-Loans
-Army
-Repayment

Does anyone know about programs for Il residents?

Financial assistance from mom and dad, maybe a rich uncle, those loans usually have very nice repayment terms.

[Biology101]

Originally Posted by SolanoDoc

Financial assistance from mom and dad, maybe a rich uncle, those loans usually have very nice repayment terms.

Anyone now of any good loan/repayment programs?

[jkmph]

Originally Posted by Biology101

Anyone now of any good loan/repayment programs?

I'd advise you to contact the FA office(s) of school(s) you are going to be or want to attend. That will be a great resource.

[Biology101]

Originally Posted by jkmph

I'd advise you to contact the FA office(s) of school(s) you are going to be or want to attend. That will be a great resource.

yea but they all say the same thing loans or military....isnt there another option?

[MSUSpartan642]

Originally Posted by Biology101

yea but they all say the same thing loans or military....isnt there another option?

Rich parents/family or scholarships. Not sure what your looking for, money doesn't grow on trees.

[djd2187]

I know WVSOM has a nice program where you can research for a year between MS2 and MS3. If you are accepted into the research year program, then they will pay for the last two years. I know NSUCOM does the same thing.

[dudechiefboss]

One dollar to look at it. Two dollars to touch it. Three dollars to watch me touch it. Five dollars to touch it while I touch my toes. Six dollars to touch it while I touch your toe. Ten dollars for an HJ. Twelve dollars for a **. $15 for a ZJ.

What's a ZJ?

If you have to ask, you can't afford it.

[PunkmedGirl]

Originally Posted by dudechiefboss

One dollar to look at it. Two dollars to touch it. Three dollars to watch me touch it. Five dollars to touch it while I touch my toes. Six dollars to touch it while I touch your toe. Ten dollars for an HJ. Twelve dollars for a **. $15 for a ZJ.

What's a ZJ?

If you have to ask, you can't afford it.

Your post flew right past me.

[teacherman84]

Originally Posted by PunkmedGirl

Your post flew right past me.

Then you cant afford it.

Its from Beerfest.

[PunkmedGirl]

Originally Posted by teacherman84

Then you cant afford it.

Its from Beerfest.

Is that a movie or a festivity?

[teacherman84]

Originally Posted by PunkmedGirl

Is that a movie or a festivity?

Its a Broken Lizard movie...good stuff

[PunkmedGirl]

Originally Posted by teacherman84

Its a Broken Lizard movie...good stuff

Aww...I need to watch it then lol. I'm an old biddy, but I'm trying to get hip to the new times.

[elftown]

Originally Posted by PunkmedGirl

Aww...I need to watch it then lol. I'm an old biddy, but I'm trying to get hip to the new times.

Have you seen Super Troopers? That one is my favorite Broken Lizard movie.

[PunkmedGirl]

Originally Posted by elftown

Have you seen Super Troopers? That one is my favorite Broken Lizard movie.

No, I haven't lol. I will add that to my list.

[Biology101]

Originally Posted by PunkmedGirl

No, I haven't lol. I will add that to my list.

Great movie...but it dosnt help to pay for medical school

[PunkmedGirl]

Originally Posted by Biology101

Great movie...but it dosnt help to pay for medical school

Sadly, this is true. Have you looked for scholarships online?

[Biology101]

Originally Posted by PunkmedGirl

Sadly, this is true. Have you looked for scholarships online?

Yea....I also wanted to know if there were any special programs, especially for primary care.

[elftown]

Originally Posted by Biology101

Yea....I also wanted to know if there were any special programs, especially for primary care.

If you are set on primary care, you can save an entire year of tuition by going to LECOM, which is already a really cheap school.

"Three Years to a Primary Care or Family Physician Degree
LECOM Erie Primary Care Scholars Pathway (PCSP) condenses four years of medical education into three years in order to graduate Primary Care doctors sooner. The PCSP eliminates some of the barriers that discourage medical students from pursuing careers in family medicine and the other primary care specialties."

[PunkmedGirl]

Originally Posted by Biology101

Yea....I also wanted to know if there were any special programs, especially for primary care.

I know there are some states that offer tons of loan forgiveness programs for primary care doctors.

VCOM's website has a ton of info about scholarships and loan forgiveness for different states.

[Biology101]

Originally Posted by elftown

If you are set on primary care, you can save an entire year of tuition by going to LECOM, which is already a really cheap school.

"Three Years to a Primary Care or Family Physician Degree
LECOM Erie Primary Care Scholars Pathway (PCSP) condenses four years of medical education into three years in order to graduate Primary Care doctors sooner. The PCSP eliminates some of the barriers that discourage medical students from pursuing careers in family medicine and the other primary care specialties."

Thanks...I really liked Lecom Erie....however I absolutely loved wvsom and will probably go there. The program also seems very intense and shaves some off some rotations that I may find interesting.

Great program though

[Siggy]

Originally Posted by dudechiefboss

One dollar to look at it. Two dollars to touch it. Three dollars to watch me touch it. Five dollars to touch it while I touch my toes. Six dollars to touch it while I touch your toe. Ten dollars for an HJ. Twelve dollars for a **. $15 for a ZJ.

What's a ZJ?

If you have to ask, you can't afford it.

Basically this. In the end, there's always the world's oldest profession. Besides, once you get out of DO school, you could try pioneering the field of erotic manipulation.

Actually, screw that. Screw specializing. I'm going to graduate from med school, teach a bunch of hot chicks osteopathic manipulation, and then open up my own erotic manipulation clinic. Private pay only, credit cards accepted.

/don't forget to tip your waitress.

[Biology101]

Originally Posted by PunkmedGirl

I know there are some states that offer tons of loan forgiveness programs for primary care doctors.

VCOM's website has a ton of info about scholarships and loan forgiveness for different states.

Wow this is amazing thanks!

[PunkmedGirl]

Originally Posted by Biology101

Wow this is amazing thanks!

No worries mate.

[lawyerdoc2b]

I have been researching this issue not that MCAT hell and the application process is over for me. I have an acceptance and three interviews to go so I am going somewhere.

My focus has shifted to how am I going to pay for it.

It appears that the primary way to pay for this is student loans.

There is the military option.

Georgia has a "Country Doctor program" If you agree to go into primary care and agree to set up or join a practice in a county of less than 35,000 residents, the State of Georgia will pay $20,000 per year toward your tuition. Georgia residents only.

Kentucky pays all the tuition under similar terms for it's residents.

There are other programs out there if you search the internet - mostly for primary care.

[Biology101]

Originally Posted by lawyerdoc2b

I have been researching this issue not that MCAT hell and the application process is over for me. I have an acceptance and three interviews to go so I am going somewhere.

My focus has shifted to how am I going to pay for it.

It appears that the primary way to pay for this is student loans.

There is the military option.

Georgia has a "Country Doctor program" If you agree to go into primary care and agree to set up or join a practice in a county of less than 35,000 residents, the State of Georgia will pay $20,000 per year toward your tuition. Georgia residents only.

Kentucky pays all the tuition under similar terms for it's residents.

There are other programs out there if you search the internet - mostly for primary care.

Yea, but alot of program are resident only, and I am from Il, going to school in wv (most likely).

[elftown]

Originally Posted by Biology101

Yea, but alot of program are resident only, and I am from Il, going to school in wv (most likely).

I know you really like WVSOM, but that is the second most expensive osteopathic medical school. It is $30,000 more expensive for you to go there than for WV residents. You'll get a great education at any of the schools, why pay so much more? Is it really that nice there?

[Biology101]

Originally Posted by elftown

I know you really like WVSOM, but that is the second most expensive osteopathic medical school. It is $30,000 more expensive for you to go there than for WV residents. You'll get a great education at any of the schools, why pay so much more? Is it really that nice there?

You are absolutely right. It is really expensive, and perhaps unfair to oos students, but the school had two things that drive me to finance an education there:

1. The campus is amazing. The entire campus is devoted to DO students and is perfectly layed out in a small quiet town (Though it has a walmart, which is a plus to a poor med student).

2. The student body seems really happy. WVSOM is really the only place that i really felt that students are treated as the main focus of the school. Other schools have a DO program as add on, or addition. Others try, but seem to grounded in their past to change. The thing that sold me on WVSOM is that in the lecture halls people customized and made their lecture space their own. That character and comfortablitiy is something I certainly didnt get at my undergraduate institution, nor have I seen at any other medical school.

Thus, I am stuck with loans and what ever scholorships I can find. Also with the exteremly low cost of living, the over cost per year is much closer to other schools than some would think. For example, Lecom bradenton was like 57,000 per year expected cost (27,000 oos tuition) and WVSOM 77,000 (with 49,000 oos tuition). Obviously those numbers can be reduced by careful planning, but it shows that the cost of living in say Florida is a lot higher than wv.

[elftown]

Sounds like a nice place. A friend of mine in school and also here on SDN was talking about WVSOM the other day; I wonder if I should have applied there. If the cost of living is really that cheap, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. The WV residents must really make out well.

Congrats on the acceptance.

[Biology101]

Originally Posted by elftown

Sounds like a nice place. A friend of mine in school and also here on SDN was talking about WVSOM the other day; I wonder if I should have applied there. If the cost of living is really that cheap, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. The WV residents must really make out well.

Congrats on the acceptance.

Thanks and yes I think it is truly a great place, sure it has its' flaws (oos tuition), but I think its' pros make up for it. Plus it is highly rated by us news (If you care about their ratings).

It is certainly not too late to apply.

[beckhunter116]

Here is a link to a website that has some loan forgiveness/repayment programs.
http://services.aamc.org/fed_loan_pu...TOKEN=20071956

Each program has a link so it will take some time to go through all of them.

Some you may have already had to be a resident prior to med school; however, I know that for example Doctors across NY you could qualify for that if you do your residency there. So depending on residency you could qualify for other programs.

[Octagonecology]

Originally Posted by Biology101

You are absolutely right. It is really expensive, and perhaps unfair to oos students, but the school had two things that drive me to finance an education there:

1. The campus is amazing. The entire campus is devoted to DO students and is perfectly layed out in a small quiet town (Though it has a walmart, which is a plus to a poor med student).

2. The student body seems really happy. WVSOM is really the only place that i really felt that students are treated as the main focus of the school. Other schools have a DO program as add on, or addition. Others try, but seem to grounded in their past to change. The thing that sold me on WVSOM is that in the lecture halls people customized and made their lecture space their own. That character and comfortablitiy is something I certainly didnt get at my undergraduate institution, nor have I seen at any other medical school.

Thus, I am stuck with loans and what ever scholorships I can find. Also with the exteremly low cost of living, the over cost per year is much closer to other schools than some would think. For example, Lecom bradenton was like 57,000 per year expected cost (27,000 oos tuition) and WVSOM 77,000 (with 49,000 oos tuition). Obviously those numbers can be reduced by careful planning, but it shows that the cost of living in say Florida is a lot higher than wv.

You make some great points. These are all the reasons I picked WVSOM. I couldn't be happier here. I think you'll really like it.

[Biology101]

Originally Posted by Octagonecology

You make some great points. These are all the reasons I picked WVSOM. I couldn't be happier here. I think you'll really like it.

I am really excited. I can't wait.

[Biology101]

Originally Posted by beckhunter116

Here is a link to a website that has some loan forgiveness/repayment programs.
http://services.aamc.org/fed_loan_pu...TOKEN=20071956

Each program has a link so it will take some time to go through all of them.

Some you may have already had to be a resident prior to med school; however, I know that for example Doctors across NY you could qualify for that if you do your residency there. So depending on residency you could qualify for other programs.

Are there any more of these?