Is there a way to avoid private loans if the first year of my DPT program counts as undrgrad?

[SunGiant37]

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Touro's first year of PT school apparently focuses on a BA. This sadly makes me ineligible for a Grad PLUS loan. On top of that I think the max amount one can take out for Federal Loans decreases as well. So I wanted to know if anyone has ever taken out private loans? I've never had to deal with them before. They honestly scare me but at this point I feel like I have no option until the second year of schooling.

I wish there was a way an independent student could get a PLUS loan in this scenario but I made this post to give anyone going to Touro a heads up about this.

 

[deleted480308]

If you are still using phrases like "I think" you haven't researched this enough....call financial aid again

 

[SunGiant37]

I'm in the process of waiting to hear back from them but I'm basing that statement off of what I read on the Federal loan website and I know for sure we're ineligible for Grad PLUS loans our first year so private loans it is.

 

[katelly]

I was having trouble getting federal loans to take pre-reqs for a little while, so I started asking around about other options. Some people told me that they had taken out private loans for school and they were very competitive interest rates. I didn't ask about how paying these off works out. And the federal loans worked out so I didn't have to pursue this. But I would shop around if I were you.

 

[DesertPT]

If you are classified on your FAFSA as an undergrad then you should be eligible for Plus loan in the form of Parent Plus, I would think. But maybe not.

The real question is why do you think this about Touro's DPT program? They say nothing about this on their website and I've never heard this about them. They list a baccalaureate degree as one of the pre-requisites for admission to the DPT program. I can't imagine what you mean that "the first year of PT school apparently focuses on a BA".

 

[brooklynyc]

OP I'm in the same boat. SUNY Downstate is a BS/DPT program and our first year is BS. Classes are comingled with other health students (anatomy, medical terminology, etc).

I am planning to take out private loans.

 

[DesertPT]

Ya but Touro isn't a BS/DPT program...wonder if the OP is ever coming back...

 

[SunGiant37]

If you are classified on your FAFSA as an undergrad then you should be eligible for Plus loan in the form of Parent Plus, I would think. But maybe not.

The real question is why do you think this about Touro's DPT program? They say nothing about this on their website and I've never heard this about them. They list a baccalaureate degree as one of the pre-requisites for admission to the DPT program. I can't imagine what you mean that "the first year of PT school apparently focuses on a BA".

When I emailed Financial Aid I was told that. She told me that our first year counts as a fourth year senior so we're ineligible for Grad PLUS loans. After going to the accepted students day it was only reaffirmed. When we graduate we get a bachelor's degree in health sciences and a dpt. So private loans it is :/ My parents are understandably against taking out another Parent PLUS after funding most of my undergrad out of pocket and with that.

OP I'm in the same boat. SUNY Downstate is a BS/DPT program and our first year is BS. Classes are comingled with other health students (anatomy, medical terminology, etc).

I am planning to take out private loans.

Have you started your research yet? I know nothing about private loans so I've researching the best options long term. It's scary.

 

[DesertPT]

I guess this must be Touro NY, which appears not to require a bachelor's degree. I was thinking you meant Touro NV for some reason, which does require a bachelor's degree.