How much cash did you need out-of-pocket with the GI bill?

[potatopuncher]

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For those that went through civilian med school, or are going through it right now, how much cash did you need (saved, loans, etc) after your GI bill tuition to make it through med school?

 

[armytrainingsir]

No way to answer your question with the info given.

Married?
Kids?
Spouse income?
Debt?
Where is school located?
Lifestyle expectations?

 

[potatopuncher]

I just wanted to see what people needed on top of the GI bill in their experiences.

 

[armytrainingsir]

Adjusted for inflation I lived like a king on less than $1800 per month while on HPSP.

 

[pgg]

For those that went through civilian med school, or are going through it right now, how much cash did you need (saved, loans, etc) after your GI bill tuition to make it through med school?

I transferred my GI bill benefits to my son, who attended an expensive private university (just shy of $50K/year tuition). School participated in the Yellow Ribbon program so they covered some additional expenses.

Between GI Bill + YR covering tuition, fees, books ... and the GI Bill BAH payment faaaaar exceeding his actual room and board costs, he graduated with no debt and the excess BAH funds helped pay for his sister's costs at another university.

It of course depends on how you live and what other expenses (family/kids) you might have, but you probably won't need much beyond the GI Bill, especially if the school you choose does the Yellow Ribbon thing.

 

[xffan624]

For those that went through civilian med school, or are going through it right now, how much cash did you need (saved, loans, etc) after your GI bill tuition to make it through med school?

I was a bit older and didn't really have the patience to live as poor as the GI bill budget anymore. I had some savings from the Army (about $40K). I called it my "I don't have to live like a student money." It helped to cover all 4 years of living in a rented house, a couple vacations, and the gap times that the GI Bill doesn't cover when school is out of session and you still have to pay rent. I pretty much exhausted most of that except maybe a couple grand before I started residency. Of course, YMMV.

 

[potatopuncher]

I transferred my GI bill benefits to my son, who attended an expensive private university (just shy of $50K/year tuition). School participated in the Yellow Ribbon program so they covered some additional expenses.

Between GI Bill + YR covering tuition, fees, books ... and the GI Bill BAH payment faaaaar exceeding his actual room and board costs, he graduated with no debt and the excess BAH funds helped pay for his sister's costs at another university.

It of course depends on how you live and what other expenses (family/kids) you might have, but you probably won't need much beyond the GI Bill, especially if the school you choose does the Yellow Ribbon thing.

Thank you for your response. That's impressive your son was able to help cover his sister's expenses with leftover from the GI Bill. I assume he lived much below his means in a HCOL area? Hence he pocketed a high amount of BAH? Either way, good for him. Yellow Ribbon programs seem like the most financially beneficial way to go.

 

[potatopuncher]

I was a bit older and didn't really have the patience to live as poor as the GI bill budget anymore. I had some savings from the Army (about $40K). I called it my "I don't have to live like a student money." It helped to cover all 4 years of living in a rented house, a couple vacations, and the gap times that the GI Bill doesn't cover when school is out of session and you still have to pay rent. I pretty much exhausted most of that except maybe a couple grand before I started residency. Of course, YMMV.

Thank you for your reply. 40k sounds like a good buffer on top of the GI Bill.

 

[pgg]

Thank you for your response. That's impressive your son was able to help cover his sister's expenses with leftover from the GI Bill. I assume he lived much below his means in a HCOL area? Hence he pocketed a high amount of BAH? Either way, good for him. Yellow Ribbon programs seem like the most financially beneficial way to go.

It wasn't a very HCOL area. He was single and living in campus housing most of the time. But E6 BAH w/ dep came out to something like $1600/month which was WAY more than his housing and meal plan cost.