How to get Scholarships or any help to pay for Pharmacy school?

[PrePharmStu2009]

Hi Guys,

I will be attending pharmacy school next year. The tuition is a lot and I was wondering does anyone know of any scholarships or assistance that can help pay for pharmacy school and what I can apply for?

Any help or advice is appreciated. Thanks

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[FarscapeGirl]

There are very few scholarships for pharmacy students. There are a few if you're currently or are going to be an employee for certain companies, but that's about it.

I'd suggest contacting the financial aid office of whatever school you go to. They'll be able to help guide you. Make sure to fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible in January!

Almost everyone has huge loans for pharmacy school. Getting an internship can help make you some money, especially if you have summers off (as you'll also have no student loans over the summer). Don't worry about the loans too much. Granted, it's a lot of money, but hopefully you'll be making a lot once you graduate and can pay them off.

 

[rph3664]

Are you still in high school? Talk to your advisor; they will know where to steer you. If you aren't, go to your school's financial aid office.

Were (or are) either of your parents in the military? Many employers also offer scholarships to their employees' children. Are you working anywhere now? If you are, ask about that too.

 

[JoshR]

Are you still in high school? Talk to your advisor; they will know where to steer you. If you aren't, go to your school's financial aid office.

Were (or are) either of your parents in the military? Many employers also offer scholarships to their employees' children. Are you working anywhere now? If you are, ask about that too.

I highly doubt he's still in high school, considering he said he's going into pharmacy school. But then again, he could have just used the wrong term.

Go check out the financial aid office of the school, talk to them about government assisted loans first. If they are not giving you enough to live off of (which 9/10 of the time, they don't), look up some Wells Fargo Collegiate Loans. That's what I used for my supplement loans, and Wells Fargo allows me to pay my loans off once I finish school.

https://www.wellsfargo.com/student/loans/

Also, try a scholarship search engine. It's free, doesn't hurt to try it, sometimes you can get some pretty good money, many with ridiculously easy requirements.

http://www.scholarships.com/

Have fun.

 

[owlegrad]

Go check out the financial aid office of the school, talk to them about government assisted loans first. If they are not giving you enough to live off of (which 9/10 of the time, they don't), look up some Wells Fargo Collegiate Loans.

I am gonna have to go ahead and disagree. I feel like the estimated COA is ridiculously high in my experience. My suggestion would be to figure out where your money is being spent and why you are exceeding your budget.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

I am gonna have to go ahead and disagree. I feel like the estimated COA is ridiculously high in my experience. My suggestion would be to figure out where your money is being spent and why you are exceeding your budget.

Define ridiculously high.

 

[rph3664]

Also, try a scholarship search engine. It's free, doesn't hurt to try it, sometimes you can get some pretty good money, many with ridiculously easy requirements.

http://www.scholarships.com/

Have fun.

I got one scholarship for $500 a year just for filling out the application! 👍

He could very well be in HS if he's going into a 0-6 program.

 

[owlegrad]

Define ridiculously high.

Keep in mind I am talking about a student who has no financial obligations other than school, car insurance, phone, etc. I came out "ahead" by an embarrassing amount of money. I hear classmates complaining about the "low" amount of loans we can take, but honestly I find it to be amply sufficient, more would just be unnecessary.

Maybe high would be more accurate than "ridiculously" high. Please forgive the hyperbole, I was responding to a claim of "9/10" so a little exaggeration seemed appropriate. 😀

I think most schools overestimate rather than underestimate (just a guess, I haven't actually been to each school personally). Eat cheap, be thrifty, rent a room, etc. God forbid, work. Any money you make is independent of COA so that's just gravy. Most students should be able to live within a schools cost of attendance, no?

 

[rph3664]

And don't spend every penny you get on booze and weed, either.

 

[owlegrad]

And don't spend every penny you get on booze and weed, either.

Thanks for the assist rph.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

Keep in mind I am talking about a student who has no financial obligations other than school, car insurance, phone, etc. I came out "ahead" by an embarrassing amount of money. I hear classmates complaining about the "low" amount of loans we can take, but honestly I find it to be amply sufficient, more would just be unnecessary.

Maybe high would be more accurate than "ridiculously" high. Please forgive the hyperbole, I was responding to a claim of "9/10" so a little exaggeration seemed appropriate. 😀

I think most schools overestimate rather than underestimate (just a guess, I haven't actually been to each school personally). Eat cheap, be thrifty, rent a room, etc. God forbid, work. Any money you make is independent of COA so that's just gravy. Most students should be able to live within a schools cost of attendance, no?

I've never seen it average much more than $1000/month (or so) and I think that's fairly low. I personally don't borrow any money for living expenses because my husband has a good job, but my friends who are on the student budget say it's tight.

 

[bacillus1]

You're all saying that a ridiculously high amount is given, but...

I checked on studentloans.gov and the amount given from a direct loan is only $20,500 per year. That is not high at all. Most schools have tuitions higher than that. I was under the impression that it was over 30 grand.
And PLUS loans? the interest on those things is 7.9%. I don't even want to consider that a government loan, as that interest rate is very similar to what private loans offer. I don't even see a benefit with those other than for people who have bad credit and cannot get a cosigner.

EDIT: after further reviewing my school's site, it says that I get 37k in my P4 year (granted, tuition is over 40k then). How is this possible that they can do this? Do they dub it two years?

 

[spacecowgirl]

I've never seen it average much more than $1000/month (or so) and I think that's fairly low. I personally don't borrow any money for living expenses because my husband has a good job, but my friends who are on the student budget say it's tight.

I was flat broke by the end of school. I had enough money for a moving truck and a damage deposit for my apartment and that was it. Glad those days are in the past. Well sort of, I'll be paying my loans until my yet-unconceived children go to college In 5 months my interest rate is dropping 1% though so a few of my loans will be in the 2% range. I'm not in a hurry to pay those off.

 

[owlegrad]

I've never seen it average much more than $1000/month (or so) and I think that's fairly low. I personally don't borrow any money for living expenses because my husband has a good job, but my friends who are on the student budget say it's tight.

And I find it to be ample. I come out ahead every semester. But I am cheap, so I guess that helps. Plus now I work and that REALLY helps. But even when I was a bum I didn't find it tight. Are your friends used to living on a budget?

 

[SHC1984]

And I find it to be ample. I come out ahead every semester. But I am cheap, so I guess that helps. Plus now I work and that REALLY helps. But even when I was a bum I didn't find it tight. Are your friends used to living on a budget?

Depends on the city you live in. When I was living in New York City my rent alone was over $1000 a month, so obviously that budget would not work. LOL...

Also depends on whether or not your parents pay for your car insurance, cellphone bill, life insurance etc. If they do you will be fine, if they don't you will not have enough

lastly it depends on how much credit card debt you owe. If you owe a lot then again you will have problems.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

And I find it to be ample. I come out ahead every semester. But I am cheap, so I guess that helps. Plus now I work and that REALLY helps. But even when I was a bum I didn't find it tight. Are your friends used to living on a budget?

Well, I don't know. I don't grill them on their financial practices. But because most of them are in my age range (30 to 35) most already owned homes before pharmacy school, several have children, and/or dependent spouses.

How are housing expenses in your area? In my city you could not find safe housing for less than $400/month (and that's a low estimate). That would include rent only, so utilities would add at least $100 to $150. So that's half the montly budget going to housing and utilities.

 

[owlegrad]

Well, I don't know. I don't grill them on their financial practices. But because most of them are in my age range (30 to 35) most already owned homes before pharmacy school, several have children, and/or dependent spouses.

How are housing expenses in your area? In my city you could not find safe housing for less than $400/month (and that's a low estimate). That would include rent only, so utilities would add at least $100 to $150. So that's half the montly budget going to housing and utilities.

Well there you go. No way I could even come close to supporting a family on student loans.

To answer your question, housing is about the same in my area. I pay $575 a month and that covers everything. I own my car so no car payment; of course that helps. A car payment would make things much tighter.

 

[owlegrad]

Depends on the city you live in. When I was living in New York City my rent alone was over $1000 a month, so obviously that budget would not work. LOL...

Also depends on whether or not your parents pay for your car insurance, cellphone bill, life insurance etc. If they do you will be fine, if they don't you will not have enough

lastly it depends on how much credit card debt you owe. If you owe a lot then again you will have problems.

Hey SHC how are finals going? Almost done myself!

You are right about NYC, but if you were going there for school the high COL would be built into the COA, right? So same difference in the end. Just even more loans to pay back.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

Well there you go. No way I could even come close to supporting a family on student loans.

To answer your question, housing is about the same in my area. I pay $575 a month and that covers everything. I own my car so no car payment; of course that helps. A car payment would make things much tighter.

Yeah but even my single friends are out of money by the end of the semester. Most of them use credit cards to get their airline tickets home for breaks and Christmas.

 

[SHC1984]

Hey SHC how are finals going? Almost done myself!

You are right about NYC, but if you were going there for school the high COL would be built into the COA, right? So same difference in the end. Just even more loans to pay back.

Just took my last final today and I am soooooo GLAD I am finished. So far I have made A(s) in all my classes, but I am still waiting for my therapeutics final exam score. AND I AM SCARED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The class is extremely diffcult, I am not going to lie...it has kick my ass!!! Let's just say I usually need an 60 or 70 to get an A in a class, but for this class? I needed an 88 on the final to get an A and I am not sure if I got an 88 on that hard ass final. I stay up all night studying for it last night..I had about 1 hour of sleep total. It was very hard and I am not sure if I got an 88 or not. I am soooo scared to find out. I really hope so...if I make a B+ I will DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL...I will keep you updated though.

And yes you are right COA are enough...WAY more than enough IMO, but I don't have to pay for my car insurance, cellphone bill, life insurance, no credit cards and no car payments. I have NO bills so COA is more than enough. But I actually didn't even take out any money for my living expenses b/c I live with my aunt for FREE and I don't have to pay for anything except gasoline for my car! lol...oh I took out an extra $1000 for Christmas shopping though! 😀 I can't wait to go shopping tommorrow!!! I need retail therapy after all the torture therapeutics has put me through!!! I seriously have NEVER in my life had to study so hard for a class!!!! I study about 1/100000000000000 as hard for biochemistry and made 100 or 98 on all the exams!!! I hate therapeutics with a passion!!!!

 

[owlegrad]

Yeah but even my single friends are out of money by the end of the semester. Most of them use credit cards to get their airline tickets home for breaks and Christmas.

Maybe your school is tight. Or maybe your friends don't manage their money well. It doesn't come natural (as you know) and if they have never done it before it may be hard for them.

 

[owlegrad]

Just took my last final today and I am soooooo GLAD I am finished. So far I have made A(s) in all my classes, but I am still waiting for my therapeutics final exam score. ...!!!!

WOOT! Good luck in therapy. I am pretty nervous bout 'cology myself. We will see...

 

[All4MyDaughter]

Maybe your school is tight. Or maybe your friends don't manage their money well. It doesn't come natural (as you know) and if they have never done it before it may be hard for them.

Maybe, maybe. I just think it's difficult for an independent adult to live in a city for $1000/month. Particularly if they aren't receiving any support from family. We are an accelerated program and the schedule is rough. Students aren't supposed to work more than 10 hours/week, so I suppose that helps a little. But intern pay rates are not very good for this region.

 

[owlegrad]

Maybe, maybe. I just think it's difficult for an independent adult to live in a city for $1000/month. Particularly if they aren't receiving any support from family. We are an accelerated program and the schedule is rough. Students aren't supposed to work more than 10 hours/week, so I suppose that helps a little. But intern pay rates are not very good for this region.

You know I have never broke it down by month before. Let me get back to you on that.

OK, I 'm back. You are right! 1000 per month would be tight. I get about 7,500/semester after tuition. I guess divide that by 4 months and I get 1750/month. My numbers might be off (I would need to double check what the dispersion is, I am going by memory), but for now let's say they are right. How does this compare to what other people get after tuition?

Edit: Actually it might be more appropriate to divide by 5 huh? That brings us down to 1500/month. Plus that doesn't count misc. expenses, like books, supplies, etc. Still comes out to better than 1000/month for sure.

 

[PrePharmStu2009]

Are you still in high school? Talk to your advisor; they will know where to steer you. If you aren't, go to your school's financial aid office.

Were (or are) either of your parents in the military? Many employers also offer scholarships to their employees' children. Are you working anywhere now? If you are, ask about that too.

No I am not in High School. I am at 4 year university, I will be graduating this year and going to Pharmacy school next year. Do you or anyone else know of any scholarships for 1st year pharmacy students? Thanks for the help.

 

[owlegrad]

No I am not in High School. I am at 4 year university, I will be graduating this year and going to Pharmacy school next year. Do you or anyone else know of any scholarships for 1st year pharmacy students? Thanks for the help.

Why yes, as a matter of fact someone does. She works in the financial aid office of your COP. Prepare to be underwhelmed.

Good Luck though! 👍

 

[SHC1984]

No I am not in High School. I am at 4 year university, I will be graduating this year and going to Pharmacy school next year. Do you or anyone else know of any scholarships for 1st year pharmacy students? Thanks for the help.

Some pharmacy schools like the one I attend offer merit scholarships for their students that have a GPA of 3.75 or above. I believe the P1s this year got $7500 if their undergraduate GPA was above a 3.75. I got a scholarship my P1 and P2 year for the same reason.

 

[schamj01]

If you are low income (efc below $4600) and are going to school in your state, you might qualify for an interest free loan from the evalee c schwarz trust. You can get loans from between $5000 to $15000 a year. It's what I plan on applying for when I know I'm accepted.

 

[rxlea]

I ran out of aid mid-November. Since my gf moved down with me and took a pay cut and I took a major pay cut, the loans just don't cut it. We aren't in our early 20's anymore where we are going to be living in some tiny ass apartment on the edge of the ghetto. I don't live some luxurious lifestyle, either. I also have a car payment and she has credit card debt. I cringed when I had to take grad plus. IMO (and most of my classmates would agree), it is not enough, even if you are attempting to be frugal.

 

[type b pharmD]

I ran out of aid mid-November. Since my gf moved down with me and took a pay cut and I took a major pay cut, the loans just don't cut it. We aren't in our early 20's anymore where we are going to be living in some tiny ass apartment on the edge of the ghetto. I don't live some luxurious lifestyle, either. I also have a car payment and she has credit card debt. I cringed when I had to take grad plus. IMO (and most of my classmates would agree), it is not enough, even if you are attempting to be frugal.

haha, yeah. this can happen. i ran out of money around the same time and have been eating on a $10 a week food budget from money borrowed from friends and parents since i already have all my credit cards maxed out

(edit)

btw. $10 will buy you three frozen supreme pizzas and enough ramen to eat at least two a day. it also helps to not eat a few days of the week.

 

[owlegrad]

I ran out of aid mid-November. Since my gf moved down with me and took a pay cut and I took a major pay cut, the loans just don't cut it. We aren't in our early 20's anymore where we are going to be living in some tiny ass apartment on the edge of the ghetto. I don't live some luxurious lifestyle, either. I also have a car payment and she has credit card debt. I cringed when I had to take grad plus. IMO (and most of my classmates would agree), it is not enough, even if you are attempting to be frugal.

haha, yeah. this can happen. i ran out of money around the same time and have been eating on a $10 a week food budget from money borrowed from friends and parents since i already have all my credit cards maxed out

The more I read on SDN the more thankful I am with my present situation. Sometimes you just don't know how good you have it...

 

[SHC1984]

The more I read on SDN the more thankful I am with my present situation. Sometimes you just don't know how good you have it...

DITTO, I can't imagine being a student and paying bills. I am so glad I have parents that love me enough to help me out. 🙂

 

[type b pharmD]

The more I read on SDN the more thankful I am with my present situation. Sometimes you just don't know how good you have it...

however it happens , this is a great place to be in 🙂

personally, when i get a pharmacist job (or hell even next semester maybe if i can get approved for plasma donation), a food budget of $30+ a week is going to feel so luxurious! a time of relative hardship can really change your entire perspective on life. 🙂 i still feel lucky every day though to have a roof over my head and to be able to learn things i love and be able to get enough calories to maintain body weight most days. i mean what more could I ask for?

 

[owlegrad]

DITTO, I can't imagine being a student and paying bills. I am so glad I have parents that love me enough to help me out. 🙂

however it happens , this is a great place to be in 🙂

personally, when i get a pharmacist job (or hell even next semester maybe if i can get approved for plasma donation), a food budget of $30+ a week is going to feel so luxurious! a time of relative hardship can really change your entire perspective on life. 🙂 i still feel lucky every day though to have a roof over my head and to be able to learn things i love and be able to get enough calories to maintain body weight most days. i mean what more could I ask for?

Somehow reading these posts back-to-back cracked me up. I am "jealous" for both SHC's parents and type b's wonderfully grateful attitude. I think the attitude thing is slightly more within my control though.

 

[spacecowgirl]

DITTO, I can't imagine being a student and paying bills. I am so glad I have parents that love me enough to help me out. 🙂

My parents loved me enough to pay for undergrad but apparently not enough to pay for grad school

 

[All4MyDaughter]

DITTO, I can't imagine being a student and paying bills. I am so glad I have parents that love me enough to help me out. 🙂

Oh for god's sake. It has NOTHING to do with how much someone's parents love or do not love them. Whether a parent pays for a child's professional school education is almost solely about the parents' ABILITY to pay. Parents who are NOT able to pick up the tab for pharmacy school or medical school or dental school for their offspring still love their children plenty. Grow up.

 

[favoredchild]

Oh for god's sake. It has NOTHING to do with how much someone's parents love or do not love them. Whether a parent pays for a child's professional school education is almost solely about the parents' ABILITY to pay. Parents who are NOT able to pick up the tab for pharmacy school or medical school or dental school for their offspring still love their children plenty. Grow up.

A million thumbs up to u. Well said 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

 

[jnmnh]

On the topic of "cost of attendance" covering living expenses, I looked at the school where I hope to enroll in the fall. Their room&board + personal + transportation = $23,350/year. That's untaxed, of course, and I don't know who wouldn't find that comfortable. Not to mention if you work a little during school.

At over $1900/month that's about my current take-home pay and I'm socking hundreds per month into savings from it. And I split a house with a yard and have cable and pay car insurance and can afford a happy hour... Is my school just more generous with COA estimates or am I already a tight-ass?

 

[jnmnh]

Oh, and I also want to laugh at the notion you can tell which of your classmates have parents who love them by finding out if they had to take out loans.

 

[type b pharmD]

On the topic of "cost of attendance" covering living expenses, I looked at SCCP, where I hope to enroll in the fall. Their room&board + personal + transportation = $23,350/year. That's untaxed, of course, and I don't know who wouldn't find that comfortable. Not to mention if you work a little during school.

At over $1900/month that's about my current take-home pay and I'm socking hundreds per month into savings from it. And I share a house with a yard and have cable and pay car insurance and can afford a happy hour... Is SCCP just more generous with COA estimates or am I already a tight-ass?

wow, we only get about half of that!

 

[jnmnh]

wow, we only get about half of that!

Ah ok, so I'm not crazy. Maybe I should get a new car to use up the surplus! $3700/year estimated for transportation is a ton when you live 4 miles from school and own your car.

Or I could catch that "babies" thing that's going around 😱

 

[Sine Cura]

For financial aid determination $23k is toward the high end far as COA (incl. tuition) minus tuition ("cost of living") is concerned. (For example, I live in a high-COL area and "COA - tuition" is around $15k, but I'm closer to $11k but with expensive housing.) No, it's not comfortable as far as middle-class lifestyle goes.

"Herp derp" to me... after looking at cost of living for various health professional programs in major metro areas a "typical" COL might be closer to $20k.

 

[Sparda29]

Hey SHC how are finals going? Almost done myself!

You are right about NYC, but if you were going there for school the high COL would be built into the COA, right? So same difference in the end. Just even more loans to pay back.

The COA for Touro NY is about $65K. Tuition is about $30K. Laptop, books, etc = $4000. That leaves you about $35K, if you work, there's even more money so let's say you make $10K/year - you're up to $40K, which is more than enough to live by yourself in NYC.

 

[SHC1984]

Oh for god's sake. It has NOTHING to do with how much someone's parents love or do not love them. Whether a parent pays for a child's professional school education is almost solely about the parents' ABILITY to pay. Parents who are NOT able to pick up the tab for pharmacy school or medical school or dental school for their offspring still love their children plenty. Grow up.

I mean just covering car insurance and cellphone bill. My family has one car insurance plan will all the cars on it and with all our names on it. Same with cellphones...we have one family plan with my parents, me and my sister on it. That saves A LOT of money. I do not understand why a parent would want to have their own car insurance and then have their child get their own car insurance too...that to me is a waste of money. If you just combine all the automobiles into one insurance policy it is much cheaper than everyone having a seperate insurance.

Anyone can afford to do what I just describe above. I am not talking about actually paying the tuition, but just the bills.

The reason why COA is so low for some people is b/c COA is suppose to cover 1) your rent and 2) your food that's it. It isn't meant to cover ALL your bills or any luxury items.

 

[bacillus1]

"Herp derp" to me... after looking at cost of living for various health professional programs in major metro areas a "typical" COL might be closer to $20k.

20k a year? That seems crazy.

Say if you live in a studio by yourself (better get a larger apt and share, then it's cheaper), let's say 600 bucks a month. Then add 300 for food. That comes out to 10,800. If you share a 2BR, you could get that down to 450 a person or less, then that adds up to 8400. Take the 8400 and add in public transportation/personal expenses (lets say $150 or a little more per month, round up to $2000/year). That's $10,400. If you're under 26, stay on your parents' health insurance policy. If not, let's say another $1500 a year, that's about 12k. Add in another 100 bucks a month or so for bills (phone/electric/internet). That comes out to $13,500 . Over 20,000 is just a lot, and even the numbers I posted are for a major city and could be made even smaller (for example I share a 3BR and my rent+utilities are under $350/month). People do need to learn to spend less.

Of course if you have a mortgage/kids, you'll need more money, but student loans aren't meant to cover that.

 

[ucrx]

Anyone can afford to do what I just describe above. I am not talking about actually paying the tuition, but just the bills.

Actually I know plenty of families who can't afford to pay the student's bills. They can save money by keeping everyone on the same plan, but have the student pay their portion. Or they don't have a car, cell phone, etc for themselves because they cost too much.

 

[FarscapeGirl]

I mean just covering car insurance and cellphone bill. My family has one car insurance plan will all the cars on it and with all our names on it. Same with cellphones...we have one family plan with my parents, me and my sister on it. That saves A LOT of money. I do not understand why a parent would want to have their own car insurance and then have their child get their own car insurance too...that to me is a waste of money. If you just combine all the automobiles into one insurance policy it is much cheaper than everyone having a seperate insurance.

Anyone can afford to do what I just describe above. I am not talking about actually paying the tuition, but just the bills.

The reason why COA is so low for some people is b/c COA is suppose to cover 1) your rent and 2) your food that's it. It isn't meant to cover ALL your bills or any luxury items.

The COA is supposed to pay for everything, at least basic expenses. Car insurance, cell phone, food, some clothes... now if anything of those are pricey, forget about it. But once you get to grad school, you should be able to support yourself.

 

[PrePharmStu2009]

I got one scholarship for $500 a year just for filling out the application! 👍

He could very well be in HS if he's going into a 0-6 program.

Hey What scholarship did you get? Do you mind giving me a link?

 

[Ackj]

Just checked out my financial aid page:Living costs $10,290, Books $900, Travel $600, Personal $600. Okay, $850/month of rent you can handle, especially with a roommate, books are never that much, travel... I dunno, everybody's gotta put gas in their car, personal, no idea what that would include. Also, this is if you live near school 12 months of the year, if you only rent an apartment nearby during school, and go home for summer/semester breaks, you're not paying rent at those times.

Also, you have no reason not to be working over the summer and breaks, so that adds some cash flow as well. I generally take out tuition + 2 months rent, although I have a better job this year, so I might not take out anything extra next semester. I only work one day a week, so if I needed the money, I would up that to 3-4 days, which some classmates do.

My parents certainly help out a lot (insurance, cell bill, care packages of canned goods/frozen foods) but I think I'd be able to stay afloat without them. They're definitely appreciated though!

 

[Sine Cura]

20k a year? That seems crazy.

Say if you live in a studio by yourself (better get a larger apt and share, then it's cheaper), let's say 600 bucks a month. Then add 300 for food. That comes out to 10,800. If you share a 2BR, you could get that down to 450 a person or less, then that adds up to 8400. Take the 8400 and add in public transportation/personal expenses (lets say $150 or a little more per month, round up to $2000/year). That's $10,400. If you're under 26, stay on your parents' health insurance policy. If not, let's say another $1500 a year, that's about 12k. Add in another 100 bucks a month or so for bills (phone/electric/internet). That comes out to $13,500 . Over 20,000 is just a lot, and even the numbers I posted are for a major city and could be made even smaller (for example I share a 3BR and my rent+utilities are under $350/month). People do need to learn to spend less.

Of course if you have a mortgage/kids, you'll need more money, but student loans aren't meant to cover that.

I agree 20k is a lot especially if some/all of it is part of a loan burden (hence "for financial aid purposes"). Some sources I looked at included the websites of Tufts and UMass (med school), from which you can see the estimated cost of living is at least $20k:

http://www.tufts.edu/med/about/offices/finaid/costs/index.html
http://www.umassmed.edu/som/tuition/index.aspx