Help with Dental School Loans and Scholarships

[suite_pee39]

Hello Everyone,

I am going to be applying to Dental School this cycle and was curious about my chances of obtaining a scholarship or loan as a DACA recipient. I entered the United States illegally when I was 1.5 years old with my parents. I was able to go to UOP hygiene but I know dental schools have a different admission process. Would I be able to apply for loans or are they only available to U.S. citizens? Thank you.

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[SmileItsLife]

It looks like it depends on your state residency and if you got a SSN. See this website for more information: https://studentloanhero.com/featured/daca-financial-aid-dreamers-paying-college/

There is some more info here, but you probably have to visit the financial aid office of your school.

 

[sobertiger]

You can't get a federal loan, but you can get a private loan and if you're an excellent applicant you might get some scholarships. But dental schools don't hand out scholarships as readily as medical schools, and the amount is often far less.

 

[deleted767916]

Hello Everyone,

I am going to be applying to Dental School this cycle and was curious about my chances of obtaining a scholarship or loan as a DACA recipient. I entered the United States illegally when I was 1.5 years old with my parents. I was able to go to UOP hygiene but I know dental schools have a different admission process. Would I be able to apply for loans or are they only available to U.S. citizens? Thank you.

I'm a financial aid student so I'm pretty familiar with this sort of stuff. Your chances of getting a scholarship is not dependent on being a DACA recipient or private loans in that matter. Like the post before me said, scholarships are not as available and as much for Dental School so don't expect a full ride. Federal loans you're not eligible since by the definition of being DACA you are not a citizen; I actually gave up my Korean citizenship and became an American citizenship and one of the biggest reasons as to why is so I am eligible for federal loans as the interest rates for federal loans are a lot lower than privates and there are some federal loans which are subsidized and the interest doesn't accumulate while you're in school. I was very fortunate to start the citizenship process early and if possible I recommend that as well. Private loans will cause a lot of debt and with interest it can get bad quickly.

 

[suite_pee39]

I'm a financial aid student so I'm pretty familiar with this sort of stuff. Your chances of getting a scholarship is not dependent on being a DACA recipient or private loans in that matter. Like the post before me said, scholarships are not as available and as much for Dental School so don't expect a full ride. Federal loans you're not eligible since by the definition of being DACA you are not a citizen; I actually gave up my Korean citizenship and became an American citizenship and one of the biggest reasons as to why is so I am eligible for federal loans as the interest rates for federal loans are a lot lower than privates and there are some federal loans which are subsidized and the interest doesn't accumulate while you're in school. I was very fortunate to start the citizenship process early and if possible I recommend that as well. Private loans will cause a lot of debt and with interest it can get bad quickly.

Thank you so much for replying. Is there any way I could message you directly? I’m really worried about paying back these loans post dental school

 

[suite_pee39]

You can't get a federal loan, but you can get a private loan and if you're an excellent applicant you might get some scholarships. But dental schools don't hand out scholarships as readily as medical schools, and the amount is often far less.

Thank you for helping me! I will look out for scholarships

 

[sharkdent]

I think my school gave scholarships on merit and not by status. I got a Dean's scholarship and the Dean chose the recipient, it has nothing to do with financial aid status or DACA.

 

[suite_pee39]

I think my school gave scholarships on merit and not by status. I got a Dean's scholarship and the Dean chose the recipient, it has nothing to do with financial aid status or DACA.

Did the Dean's scholarship cover the majority of tuition?

 

[sharkdent]

Did the Dean's scholarship cover the majority of tuition?

No, but helped quite a bit.

 

[suite_pee39]

No, but helped quite a bit.

That's great! That gives me some hope. I am trying to think years ahead in the future and see if I'll be able to repay the debt I've accrued in dental school. Thank you for sharing

 

[sharkdent]

Good luck. Dentistry is fun. But can be stressful. But with the huge debt burden now, I might not have the balls to go.

 

[suite_pee39]

It looks like it depends on your state residency and if you got a SSN. See this website for more information: https://studentloanhero.com/featured/daca-financial-aid-dreamers-paying-college/

There is some more info here, but you probably have to visit the financial aid office of your school.

Thank you SO much!! This is exactly what I was looking for!