Depressed about money issues :(

[rals]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So I made it - I got in to one of the top dental schools in the country after having worked towards this for years... only to receive info about my financial aid package and imagine shackles on my ankles. Tuition and fees will be about 50K per year, and then there's the living costs that still have to be added on top of that. I have a couple thousand in scholarships, but that's it! My parents immigrated to North America when I was a kid, and we don't have million-dollar dynasty to support me through school.

I just feel stuck! All this hard work and I DON"T KNOW IF IT"LL PAY OFF ANYMORE! That's a huge amount of money, especially with 32K @ 6.8 % while in school, and another ~15K @8+%... Has anybody quit when they were this far in because of finances? How do you guys do it? And those of you with young families to feed too... I can't imagine...

Need some encouragement/magic solution to my problems... Is the incestment worth it? Can I make this money back without selling my butt in a dental factory office for a few years? Can I make a difference and still make enough money to help support the family I hope to have in a few years?

 

[jrd29]

Most people are in your exact same situation. I personally didn't know anybody at UNLV that didn't take out loans to pay for their education. I think it is rare that Daddy pays the way..at least that has been my experience.

I had two kids while in dental school. My parents have lived in North America my whole life and didn't give me one dime to pay for school. I am working in private practice in SoCal and the loans aren't that bad. If you want to be a dentist, go for it. Just be frugal while in school and you will be fine.

Good luck and realize that most people are in you exact situation

 

[pmantz]

I never knew Loma Linda was a top ten dental school, I guess I haven't seen the new D-school rankings.😛

I understand how you feel... but you don't have it that bad. Your going to a good school, to attain a rewarding and lucrative profession. So you are going to rack up some crazy debt. Most of us will receive no financial help from our families, so you don't have it any worse then anyone else here. I will be 300K debt when I graduate at 31 with three kids. Take it easy and keep positive.

 

[dentalman]

I'm glad you see the seriousness of this burden. You will have a mortgage sized debt when you finish. So instead of having a huge mortgage on a house, you will have a modest house and spend similar amounts on loan payments. But it's been done before. Make sure you really want to be a dentist. It's better to quit before you start taking out loans!! Dentistry is not a quick payoff, but it is a good way to make a living. There are other ways out, there, though.

 

[OceanBlue]

you'll pay it off and have a decent living as well