Are grad plus loans still a thing?

[AJS59]

Hi all,

So I got some pretty unfortunate news that my parental contributions to medical school will be much lower than I was expecting. In summary, I have about enough money left over to pay for next year's tuition alone, but nothing more beyond that. Why they dropped this on me now, I can't say, but it's the cards I've been dealt

Given the recent proposed sunsetting of grad plus loans and given that I only used federal unsubsidized loans last year, I have a couple of financial related questions:
1. Does it make sense to use those contributions now (to cover next year's tuition) and risk being forced to Sallie Mae or worse for the last 2 years? Or is it better to use the grad plus loans while they're still around and save the contribution to M4?
2. I am also being compelled to look at new housing for next year (thanks to my current roommates more or less booting me off their lease renewal, but again, hand I've been dealt). The cheapest options are naturally the furthest away (approximately 45 minute train ride + 10 minute walk to our campus, or about a 30 minute drive). Given that I will be on rotations next year, is this a sensible location to look, or should I take the extra loan money to pay for something closer?

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[Mr.Smile12]

What advice have you gotten from your financial aid office?

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

Take whatever fed loans you can get now and max them out. Live frugally off them as long as possible. That said, I'd not recommend more than 20m to the hospital. You're gonna be dead commuting 40-60m.

 

[AJS59]

What advice have you gotten from your financial aid office?

Not much. Going to email them to ask, just trying to get ahead of this so I don't get caught flat footed. I'm not sure if the bill will pass the senate (needs 60 votes to pass, no?), but if it looks likely to get through, or if a judge actually lets Trump close the department of education, then I will probably do what Nontrad suggested and max things out before the water gets cut off. I can still in theory get another 65ishK in loans this year while the program is around, and if they aren't able to implement it for the next academic year, I may be able to get just enough to skate by.

I really wish we as med students had a stronger ability to push for this program to be saved. I'm part of the AMA MSS and my school has been trying some, but I am so annoyed at the main arm of the AMA (and the medical establishment as a whole) for doing and saying nothing. I guess there's a whole element of "we shouldn't be political" but I'd argue if it affects medical education or training, we have to be political and stand up for ourselves and our patients. I'll try calling my senators and representative to see if I can get through to them.