How do you guys pay for school tuition?

[joonkimdds]

I just got into a dental school but I am from a poor family and don't know how to pay the tuition.

At first, I was gonna join the army because they would pay for me and all the benefits I can get after graduating from DS, but I have a girlfriend and she doesn't want me to join the army. I am already feeling extremely sorry to my gf for planning a long distance relationship for next 4 years so her opinion means alot to me.

Where should I begin first?

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[New2Philly]

There is always loans...

 

[dmd87]

I just got into a dental school but I am from a poor family and don't know how to pay the tuition.

At first, I was gonna join the army because they would pay for me and all the benefits I can get after graduating from DS, but I have a girlfriend and she doesn't want me to join the army. I am already feeling extremely sorry to my gf for planning a long distance relationship for next 4 years so her opinion means alot to me.

Where should I begin first?

fill out ur fafsa asap, and take it from there.

 

[SuperTank]

I just got into a dental school but I am from a poor family and don't know how to pay the tuition.

At first, I was gonna join the army because they would pay for me and all the benefits I can get after graduating from DS, but I have a girlfriend and she doesn't want me to join the army. I am already feeling extremely sorry to my gf for planning a long distance relationship for next 4 years so her opinion means alot to me.

Where should I begin first?

Hey Joon
If you go and login in to the portal at Midwestern (where you saw your accepted student checklist) you can click on the financial services tab, then click on "Apply for Aid" then "Apply for 2010-11." There are five steps listed, the first being a walk through video tutorial that explains the various options that we, as soon to be ridiculously poor dental students, have. Check out the video, fill out your FAFSA, and apply for your loans! Et voila!

 

[Aceofspades]

I just got into a dental school but I am from a poor family and don't know how to pay the tuition.

At first, I was gonna join the army because they would pay for me and all the benefits I can get after graduating from DS, but I have a girlfriend and she doesn't want me to join the army. I am already feeling extremely sorry to my gf for planning a long distance relationship for next 4 years so her opinion means alot to me.

Where should I begin first?

1. Being from a poor family will help you tremendously. Besides being eligible for need based scholarship, aid, and low interest loans you will have an expected family contribution of $0 and will not have to take out any Grad Plus loans (unless you're going to a school like NYU).

2. Unless this girlfriend is your fiance or wife I would put my career first. You two may not even be together a year from now.

 

[alanan84]

2. Unless this girlfriend is your fiance or wife I would put my career first. You two may not even be together a year from now.

 

[punkin85]

joonkim, welcome to the club...I put myself through undergrad and grad school with no help from my parents. Every loan is in my name...whats a few 100K more?

Take out loans, be financially responsible, and you'll be fine.

 

[subdoc]

1. Being from a poor family will help you tremendously. Besides being eligible for need based scholarship, aid, and low interest loans you will have an expected family contribution of $0 and will not have to take out any Grad Plus loans (unless you're going to a school like NYU).

2. Unless this girlfriend is your fiance or wife I would put my career first. You two may not even be together a year from now.

+3

Do what is best for YOU...NOT your relationship. If YOU feel going to the military is your best option, be an Army of one and do it! My caveat is to join if you are dispositioned to serve, NOT just for free school.

I have made very important career decisions based on others in not-so-solid relationships and have regretted it.

 

[armorshell]

1. Being from a poor family will help you tremendously. Besides being eligible for need based scholarship, aid, and low interest loans you will have an expected family contribution of $0 and will not have to take out any Grad Plus loans (unless you're going to a school like NYU).

Just an FYI, but the EFC for graduate education is always $0

 

[peanutb123]

Think about these
Dont join the army because you want them to pay for your school... Because it would be cheaper for you to take loans and earn more money w/o joining army.
more freedom etc...
In my opinion army will take more from you then what you actually get out of it...

 

[ejendz24]

Think about these
Dont join the army because you want them to pay for your school... Because it would be cheaper for you to take loans and earn more money w/o joining army.
more freedom etc...
In my opinion army will take more from you then what you actually get out of it...

There is no way to know for sure if it will end up being cheaper or not.

Anyway, I'm glad that's just your opinion...

 

[alec0884]

Think about these
Dont join the army because you want them to pay for your school... Because it would be cheaper for you to take loans and earn more money w/o joining army.
more freedom etc...
In my opinion army will take more from you then what you actually get out of it...

that is your opinion....

but i guarantee you that a high end private school will make a military scholarship completely worthwhile for monetary reasons
1. tuition......250-300K (over 4 years)
2. bonus and stipend.....100-120K (over 4 years)
3. comparable salary......80-100K (per year)

add all that together and that is your pay for 4 years of service........and after wards you have zero debt.

 

[dmd87]

that is your opinion....

but i guarantee you that a high end private school will make a military scholarship completely worthwhile for monetary reasons
1. tuition......250-300K (over 4 years)
2. bonus and stipend.....100-120K (over 4 years)
3. comparable salary......80-100K (per year)

add all that together and that is your pay for 4 years of service........and after wards you have zero debt.

thats not a comparable salary, also you'd be putting off buying a practice for a few years as well.

 

[alec0884]

thats not a comparable salary, also you'd be putting off buying a practice for a few years as well.

maybe so.....but let me ask. what do you intend to make as a high end associate ~150 K from which you can subtract out your student loan payments which would be close to 40 K for the year you have 110K left.

I will put off buying a practice for a year or two if it means I don't have 10 to 15 years of student loan payments.

and might I add that the opportunities to specialize are very good

 

[dmd87]

.

 

[jpark9]

I just got into a dental school

Congrats!!

 

[dmd87]

maybe so.....but let me ask. what do you intend to make if it is at the high end associate ~150 K from which you can subtract out your student loan payments which would be close to 40 K for the year you have 110K left.

I will put off buying a practice for a year or two if it means I don't have 10 to 15 years of student loan payments.

and might I add that the opportunities to specialize are very good

I agree that there are benefits first. but as many have mentioned before, you are an officer first, and a dentist second. in my view, my life is worth more than just money.

 

[izzymask08]

i need my parents information but im not sure if i should i file as independent or dependent. can i still use my parents information if i file as independent? i heard you get better scholarship stuff if you use your parents information.

 

[SuperTank]

that is your opinion....

add all that together and that is your pay for 4 years of service........and after wards you have zero debt.

and you'll only be missing out on four years of building up your own practice, with no experience building relationships with patients or communities.

Nobody should go into the military for the money, the same as nobody should go into dentistry for the money. It isn't worth it.

 

[alec0884]

in my view, my life is worth more than just money.

That is a very harsh statement to make in regards to people who take this scholarship.

While there are some monetary benefits to it, many do so simply for the desire to serve their country. Many others regard it as an opportunity to practice around the world and spend a few years doing something different.

My application for the Navy was approved by the board last week and I take a lot of honor in becoming an officer like my father and grandfather.

I try not to make the argument that it is for everyone....but the opportunities look promising and if the OP had been considering it but was deterred by his gf's opinion I think he should revisit......although it is getting late.

 

[peanutb123]

and you'll only be missing out on four years of building up your own practice, with no experience building relationships with patients or communities.

Nobody should go into the military for the money, the same as nobody should go into dentistry for the money. It isn't worth it.

A lot of people do it for the money... and the lifestyle...

 

[alec0884]

and you'll only be missing out on four years of building up your own practice, with no experience building relationships with patients or communities.

a very valid statement.....i would argue that we would both be spending the first couple years fine tuning skills (lots of mentorship in big military clinics but lagging in breath of procedures), also consider that in building up a patient base many military vets and personnel enjoy visiting a fellow military retiree, lastly I may open up an office a year or two after someone I graduated with, but I won't have a 40K student loan payment for another 6-10 years

I'll agree.....don't just do it for the money.....but the money is a plus

 

[yuppers]

This is going to become another HPSP thread.....
Post in these if you want to discuss it:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=695287&highlight=military+HPSP
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=685984&highlight=military+HPSP

 

[jpark9]

A lot of people do it for the money... and the lifestyle...

if money and lifestyle are the adjunct factors beside why you really want to become a dentist (I am assuming because you like dentistry), then that is perfectly fine. However, if they are the only reason why you want to jump into the dentistry, you won't be happy with what you are doing.

 

[63B2B]

1. Being from a poor family will help you tremendously. Besides being eligible for need based scholarship, aid, and low interest loans you will have an expected family contribution of $0 and will not have to take out any Grad Plus loans (unless you're going to a school like NYU).

2. Unless this girlfriend is your fiance or wife I would put my career first. You two may not even be together a year from now.

 

[dmd87]

A lot of people do it for the money... and the lifestyle...

yep, nothing wrong w/ that, its part of the appeal of dentistry. money is always some factor of a career, i doubt someone would be a dentist for 30K a year..

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

I am already feeling extremely sorry to my gf for planning a long distance relationship for next 4 years so her opinion means alot to me.

How young is she? Couldn't she just move to be with you at dental school and then your base???

 

[jay47]

and you'll only be missing out on four years of building up your own practice, with no experience building relationships with patients or communities.

Nobody should go into the military for the money, the same as nobody should go into dentistry for the money. It isn't worth it.

Only if you can get a loan for your practice IMMEDIATELY out of dental school with ZERO experience. Even then, he'll get plenty of guaranteed experience in the military with great chances to specialize. It's not for me, but it is a good route for lots of people.

 

[hausee]

2. Unless this girlfriend is your fiance or wife I would put my career first. You two may not even be together a year from now.

It is a sad truth...

 

[Major Groove]

I just got into a dental school but I am from a poor family...

Spare him is life from this mon-stros-it-TEE!!

Sorry. Had to.

I wouldn't worry so much about paying for it as preparing for it. Tuition, even at a private institution, will be the least of your worries. What about room and board? Transportation?

That's the kind of stuff you can think about now, not only to save yourself headaches, but money, too.

Start shopping for apartments. See if you can dump an expensive car and get a cheap one, etc.

Ride a bike.

The military idea is something to consider, but just understand what kind of a commitment you are making. Understand, too, that the military is what they call "institutional." At the risk of insulting someone, the military is a giant life support system that takes care of everything and writes you a paycheck. It has its own set of challenges, but they aren't what you call "real world" challenges.

You don't have to shake scorpions out of your boots in the real world.

It's a tough life, but how well does it prepare you for starting up a practice? For pediatrics? For high-dollar procedures like implant surgeries.

The fed's not paying for implants, I can guarantee you that.

Then again a tube of toothpaste probably catalogs at $85.

 

[sassykat]

Just an FYI, but the EFC for graduate education is always $0

Huh?? Mine was definitely not 0.

I did input parent info, because schools have said it can't hurt you but only help you (for school scholarships/grants).

Schools have also said if you are a professional student, regardless of how your parents file, you are considered independent.

 

[coolslugs]

I just got into a dental school but I am from a poor family and don't know how to pay the tuition.

At first, I was gonna join the army because they would pay for me and all the benefits I can get after graduating from DS, but I have a girlfriend and she doesn't want me to join the army. I am already feeling extremely sorry to my gf for planning a long distance relationship for next 4 years so her opinion means alot to me.

Where should I begin first?

What about the Navy? Air Force?...if her reason is that she doesn't want you to get shipped.
What about Indian Health Services or National Health Service Corp scholarships?

 

[4X4MD]

Just an FYI, but the EFC for graduate education is always $0

is this only true for fafsa?

because i know schools calculate your EFC when estimating scholarships, etc (i.e. harvard)...including graduate school (i know medical school specifically, but im sure it resembles grad schools across the board)

 

[punkin85]

What about the Navy? Air Force?...if her reason is that she doesn't want you to get shipped.
What about Indian Health Services or National Health Service Corp scholarships?

Isn't the Indian Health Service Scholarship only for native americans and alaskan natives?

 

[sassykat]

no..when i did my fafsa i got an EFC that is non-zero. not sure what it means, but it's not 0!

 

[subdoc]

The military idea is something to consider, but just understand what kind of a commitment you are making. Understand, too, that the military is what they call "institutional." At the risk of insulting someone, the military is a giant life support system that takes care of everything and writes you a paycheck. It has its own set of challenges, but they aren't what you call "real world" challenges.

Hmmm...although the military is a government agency and quite large in size which attributes to bureaucracy, I would have to disagree with the negative connotation you propose on the matter. Yes, the military takes care of its "employees;" but they take care of their employees the same way any company would. To say the military takes care of everything for their "employees" is completely false. Last I checked, the military has never paid for my house payment, my insurance, my car, my electricity, my food, my clothing, my fuel, my travel, my, my, my...you get the idea.

It's a tough life, but how well does it prepare you for starting up a practice? For pediatrics? For high-dollar procedures like implant surgeries.

The fed's not paying for implants, I can guarantee you that.

I don't know where you shadowed, but my base clinic (medium-sized base) does every procedure imaginable...including implant surgeries. To think they are just doing simple cleanings, exams and fillings is completely false. The clinic had Endo, Perio, Surgical Resident, Pros, and 6 general dentists, as well as a full-serice lab.

 

[BiomajorPreDent]

First of all, slow down.

No offense but you have to make your own decisions, you may not even be with the same girl 2 months from now

Fill out the FAFSA. Loans will cover your tuition and living expenses for 4 years

Then as a dentist you will have no problem paying them back. Dentists do it every year and I dont see why you would be any different.

I would bet that since your family is not well off financially, you will probably be careful with how you spend your money once you are making it.

With regards to the military,

I was under the impression that the 4 years you serve is the minimum and there is no guarantee you will be discharged after 4 years.

Plus what about being deployed? You will be separated from your g/f then too...

You also delay your skills because I doubt the military is restoring implants and doing cosmetics and crowns.

Going into the military is noble, but don't do it only because of debt.

 

[yuppers]

What about the Navy? ...if her reason is that she doesn't want you to get shipped.

The irony in this...

 

[Dent010]

to be honest i can speak from personal experience. i don't agree with what everyone is saying. i have been with girlfriend for six years of which we spent the last 4 long distance. every person i knew told me the long distance would be a bad idea and that it was not going to work out. four years later after being long distance she is now my fiancee and we may have to spend another four years long distance. i am set to attend Nova in the fall and she is waiting for an acceptance from Western for veterinary medicine.

i say do what feels right in your heart. statistics are always just going to be statistics. if i listened to everyone else i would not be with my fiancee now and would have given up one of the greatest things i have in my life. i wish you the best of luck in your decision and i promise you can do just fine without the military. follow your heart and you wont have regrets.

 

[BiomajorPreDent]

I don't know where you shadowed, but my base clinic (medium-sized base) does every procedure imaginable...including implant surgeries. To think they are just doing simple cleanings, exams and fillings is completely false. The clinic had Endo, Perio, Surgical Resident, Pros, and 6 general dentists, as well as a full-serice lab.

I don't think anyone would argue that the military does not have specialists. However, the concern is what GP's are allowed to do and what is automatically designated to specialists.

 

[justwu86]

the key is building 5 large stacks of hi society

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaT2pBiS-JI

take it to KGB and get your money back, slow play a full house and trash talk all day.

don't do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL3KSw1OpJo&feature=related

 

[yuppers]

I guess I'll add to the HPSP debate.
In order to have a good chance at specializing via the military route, you have to get in good relations with your superiors as they will provide letters of recommendation and references. This means you have to show a commitment to remaining in the military and be a great, hardworking officer (remember officer first, dentist second).

 

[Major Groove]

To say the military takes care of everything for their "employees" is completely false.

I never said that, so this response is irrelevant.

I don't know where you shadowed, but my base clinic (medium-sized base) does every procedure imaginable...including implant surgeries. To think they are just doing simple cleanings, exams and fillings is completely false. The clinic had Endo, Perio, Surgical Resident, Pros, and 6 general dentists, as well as a full-serice lab.

So they do.

Who pays?

Were you involved with the billing?

If so, then I stand corrected. As an Assistant, I never sat in with the management, admin or billing departments to determine who exactly paid for everything, and not everyone in the military is dirt poor.

To suggest that grunts on the front lines in Afghanistan are receiving implant surgeries is absurd. I as a taxpayer would want that changed if that is the case.

I wouldn't do it for myself or for my own child if I couldn't afford it. A bridge or even a partial is perfectly acceptable treatment.

Is the military providing no-cost implant services? That's news to me. Perhaps this is one of the ways we can cut government spending, no?

 

[subdoc]

The irony in this...

agree!

 

[flying rider]

no..when i did my fafsa i got an EFC that is non-zero. not sure what it means, but it's not 0!

My EFC was not 0 either. =\

 

[Major Groove]

To clarify:

The military idea is something to consider...the military is a giant life support system that takes care of everything and writes you a paycheck.

I can see how this would be misunderstood.

By "everything" I am not referring to rent and food and tires on your car, but rather the dental chair, patients, marketing, equipment, supplies and so on.

This indeed the military will provide whereas a private practice will have to finance.

2 years of practicing in such a setting will not necessarily prepare someone adequately to handle all of the day-to-day such as ordering 2x2's, dealing with texting Assistants, insurance, mowing the lawn and the like.

In the civilian world someone has to make sure the lawn is mowed.

I apologize if "everything" was a bit vague. Yes, military dentists have to pay rent and put gas in the car.

 

[subdoc]

I never said that, so this response is irrelevant.


So they do.

Who pays?

Were you involved with the billing?

If so, then I stand corrected. As an Assistant, I never sat in with the management, admin or billing departments to determine who exactly paid for everything, and not everyone in the military is dirt poor.

To suggest that grunts on the front lines in Afghanistan are receiving implant surgeries is absurd. I as a taxpayer would want that changed if that is the case.

I wouldn't do it for myself or for my own child if I couldn't afford it. A bridge or even a partial is perfectly acceptable treatment.

Is the military providing no-cost implant services? That's news to me. Perhaps this is one of the ways we can cut government spending, no?

Yes, you did say that...so it is relevant.

As far as who pays...taxpayers pay. Members don't pay for medical services. You can also get veneers (if needed) or other cosmetic procedures (if needed.) These are done solely for the doc to maintain proficiency for when it is actually needed.

I never suggested grunts on the front lines receive cosmetic procedures, or any other procedures. To my knowledge (speaking from an entire Navy experience), you are deemed fit for duty PRIOR to deploying to combat areas, to include being fit for duty in the dental department. I would be VERY surprised if there are any dentists deployed to Afghanistan, and if they were, it would more than likely be as a triage responder on a strictly voluntary basis. Saying this, I have ZERO idea on how the Army assigns their dentists. Your best bet would be to speak directly to an Army dentist.

There are A LOT of misconceptions and hypotheses on what military dentists do and don't do. As always, it is in the best interest of the individual to speak to dentists is whatever branch they have interest in. I would not take every piece of advice from a recruiter as truth, and I would not place much weight on the conjecture which is thrown around in these forums. A few hours or days of research on the curious predent part can pay huge dividends on both the proper moves for their career and school financing.

 

[subdoc]

To clarify:


I can see how this would be misunderstood.

By "everything" I am not referring to rent and food and tires on your car, but rather the dental chair, patients, marketing, equipment, supplies and so on.

This indeed the military will provide whereas a private practice will have to finance.

2 years of practicing in such a setting will not necessarily prepare someone adequately to handle all of the day-to-day such as ordering 2x2's, dealing with texting Assistants, insurance, mowing the lawn and the like.

In the civilian world someone has to make sure the lawn is mowed.

I apologize if "everything" was a bit vague. Yes, military dentists have to pay rent and put gas in the car.

And yes, these can be perceived as some of the cons of military dentistry. I will say as a military dental provider, you are VERY involved in the ordering of supplies, but as you stated, you are NOT involved in the billing.

The two biggest negatives I have observed is your lack of controlling who your assistants are, and as you pointed out, the lack of control you have on the bottom line (until you are running the clinic as a senior officer). In the civilian world, if your assistants are not up to snuff, you fire them. In the military world, you have to deal with it.

 

[punkin85]

My EFC was not 0 either. =\

did you put that you are dependent or independent??

 

[Major Groove]

Yes, you did say that...so it is relevant.

You win. I said "everything." Yay for you.

I intended to say that the military provides the asphalt and copper, the plumbing and windows, mortar, tiles, staff, autoclave, management, employees, patients...

..whew..whew..

..funding, lights, IT, etc, etc.


If one is not careful, one can become dependent upon the management of the facility and practice being handled by the military and therefore fall behind competitors in the business of providing dentistry.

The same applies to any type of government contractor. Trust me. I worked for the government and then was laid off and worked for myself.

Working for yourself is a lot harder than working for the government.