How big of a loan do I need for optometry school?

[mupreopt]

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How much of a loan will I need for optometry school to cover my apartment expense and living expenses (food, etc.)?

 

[xenopsyllus]

Between $100k and $150k seems about average right now, but, like fonziefonz posted, it's highly variable (which school, where you live, how frugally you live, family, kids, spousal income...).

 

[mupreopt]

I am single.
Is that per year or 4 years? Is the 100,000-150,000 for living expenses or for tution also?
Also, can you pay that back after you graduate?
What kind of loan do I need?

 

[KHE]

I am single.
Is that per year or 4 years? Is the 100,000-150,000 for living expenses or for tution also?
Also, can you pay that back after you graduate?
What kind of loan do I need?

Normally I would be very hesitant to say something personally negative...... but if you are asking questions like "Is $150000 per year or for 4 years?" or "can I pay it back after I graduate?" then I am left to wonder how you even managed to put your pants on this morning. When do you EXPECT to pay back a student loan? BEFORE you graduate? My God, man.

Are you even a citizen of planet Earth? Is there ANY program ANYWHERE in ANY FIELD on the face of the Earth that has a tuition of $150000 per year??

 

[EyeGuy2k4]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]This is directly from www.opted.org.


[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I just copy and pasted below.
.
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif].
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]How much will optometry school cost?
The cost of your education will depend upon where you choose to attend school. Annual tuition and fees at public schools and colleges of optometry range from approximately $10,670 to $18,655 for residents. Non-resident costs range anywhere from $22,420 to $43,374 a year. Resident tuition and fees for private schools and colleges of optometry range from approximately $14,950 to $29,088 a year, while non-resident costs range from $19,950 to around $29,088. Many of the schools and colleges of optometry have financial arrangements or contract programs which allow students from various states to attend their institution at the resident rate. Contact the admissions officer at the school(s) or college(s) of your choice for specific tuition and fee information..
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]What if I need financial assistance to fund my education?
Financial aid, primarily in the form of government-subsidized, low interest loans, is available to students attending schools and colleges of optometry. Other loans, grants and work study aid are available, and vary from one institution to another. For details, contact the financial aid officer at the school(s) or college(s) of your choice. .
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]For links to financial aid related sites click here. .
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]What about housing while I'm in optometry school?
Most of the schools and colleges of optometry offer college-operated housing. Contact the school(s) or college(s) of your choice to obtain a catalog and other information for the prospective student. .

 

[mupreopt]

Are you even a citizen of planet Earth? Is there ANY program ANYWHERE in ANY FIELD on the face of the Earth that has a tuition of $150000 per year??

You didn't read my question correctly. What I meant by $150,000 is "is the $150,000 spread over 4 years for living expenses (apartment, food, etc.)?" I was also asking whether $150,000 includes tuition or is tuition separate from $150,000.

 

[eyestrain]

I was also asking whether $150,000 includes tuition or is tuition separate from $150,000.

I read that correctly and it's not much better.

 

[zyg0te]

You didn't read my question correctly. What I meant by $150,000 is "is the $150,000 spread over 4 years for living expenses (apartment, food, etc.)?" I was also asking whether $150,000 includes tuition or is tuition separate from $150,000.

Did you really think someone would spend 12.5k/month on living expenses?

 

[mtrlOATgal]

you guys are hilarious.... well perhaps you are thinking in RMB if it was per year lol.....

just make yourself a budget about everything and look at the tuition and loction for each school you want to go to...I used excel.... it comes to about 180K for me...US.....let's hope our Canadian dollar is strong after four years 🙂

 

[rodomon]

I was completely clueless as to prices, as well; my father still gets a kick out of the fact that my optometry school will cost more than my siblings' medical schools.

At UHCO, this is an approximate estimate for 9 months they gave us, which seems pretty accurate:

Tuition/fees: $20,000 resident, $30,000 non-resident
Books/equipment: $5,000
Living expenses: $15,000
TOTAL: $40,000 resident, $50,000 non-resident

Honestly, it's not something I ever worried about. Everyone gets loans, and then everyone pays them back later on while they are working as optometrists. All of the financial aid people I talked to at the different schools had the same feelings. If you get the regular loans (Stafford subsidized + unsubsidized), you should be pretty much covered, although it can vary a bit depending on your housing choice (having roommates in a cheaper apartment can save you a ton of money in the long run) and lifestyle.

Some people took less than the total Stafford amount possible, some work on Saturdays or a few hours during the week to make a little more money, some have their parents paying for the whole thing (and yes, I asked their parents if they would adopt me), and there is some other variation, but in general, the Stafford loans should cover everything pretty well.