Another Financial Aid Question. Go figure.

[RemyArgo]

Hey

So currently, I have 2 years before matriculation (assuming I get it on the first try when I apply in spring 2009 [stirring rocket fuel, goggles on, fingers crossed]). I'm trying to figure out expenses and finances for med school. More precisely, I'm trying to figure out how much I'll need AFTER financial aid kicks in. Admittedly, I've only really begun to dig into this info, so if I ask any obvious question, uhhhh sorry ? Anyway, the websites are slightly confuzzling.

I'll assume that financial aid will cover all of the tuition and fees. My question is whether or not there will be any left over for the little things....like housing, food, sanity (I want to have SOME semblance of a life, and I'm not talkin about the life of a Franciscan monk with a doubling in poverty and silence - been there done that)

Basically, I expect NO support from anyone but from myself. (Hell, I may have to help out at times) I'm not sure if my folks'll claim me as a dependent again, but either way, the reported FAFSA probably will fall near the poverty line. I assume that there'll be very little time for work (if any) during med school (even during summers) so I'm thinking about storing some cash to live on so I won't be A) starving B)losing my mind C) livin in a cardboard box or in a van down by the river D)uhh misc.

I currently have a position offered overseas(haven't been yet), but due to additional complications, probably won't be able to save much (at most, a few Gs). And that'll probably go into the med school app process. I'm aware of FAP and even qualify this year (probably will qualify next year), but I'm taking transportation costs (for the interviews) into account. So its also a question of should I go and do the overseas thing or save up for med school.



Also, this is the wrong forum to post this, but what is the typical day of a med school student ? More precisely, how much free time is there, after classes, homework, and other med school related activities ? I know this probably varies/student, but I assume there is a general trend.

[Habeed]

The short answer :

You can borrow lots of money, up to a limit called the "Cost of Attendance". This cost includes all tuition, fees, books and supplies, and enough living expenses for a modest living. You'll do ok as long as you don't have dependents.

To borrow this money, it doesn't really matter what you put on your FAFSA. You just have to be a U.S. citizen and not have any seriously bad things on your credit. (it doesn't matter what the FICO score is, just no bankruptcies, foreclosures, ect)

How much money is this typically?
http://www.tufts.edu/med/about/offic...sts/index.html
Click on the link to "costs" on the right-hand side.

For living expenses, you effectively have somewhere between $1200 and $1600 a month, depending on how you slice the numbers. Rent will cost about half of that, depending on where you go to school.

What should you do? Save a few G if you possibly can. Don't spend the money the first year to reduce your loans, just keep it in case you need it.

It's really not that bad. Paying the loans back will be annoying, but the current economic crisis will probably make this easier. (because more than likely, there will be considerable inflation of the dollar over the next few years)


Also, this is the wrong forum to post this, but what is the typical day of a med school student ? More precisely, how much free time is there, after classes, homework, and other med school related activities ? I know this probably varies/student, but I assume there is a general trend. The short answer is : it depends on what you want to get out of medical school. If you don't mind doing primary care, and are sure you don't want to be a surgeon or other high-end specialist, you could probably pass medical school studying only 2 hours per day. Possibly less.

On the other hand, if you want to keep your options open, then you have to compete and beat the vast majority of the other classmates in grades. AND do research. That will take every waking moment, aside from some nominal breaks once every few weeks.

Out of 24 hour day, I spend at least 12 hours of it on medical school stuff, either classes or studying. And I have been slacking off. Yes, that includes weekends. I have left the campus just twice in six weeks.