Too much debt. Serve Army/Navy or Underserved Community? Please help.

[MRZ8]

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I keep speculating on SDN and refreshing the school decisions, but I have a real problem I want to spend more time solving.

I'm from a low-income family. I have no money to pay for dental school. I'm in my gap year and I'm applying to dental school this cycle. To be honest, I never considered serving in the army/navy, but I have no choice if debt can accumulate just as quickly as my undergraduate loans (as high as 6%). I don't have money to pay those loans off yet. What can I do?

I'm searching for jobs now, but I'm not sure what I can do with a biology degree. Is it worth getting an X-Ray/Dental Assistant (DA) certification and being a DA until August 2016 when dental school starts? I'm scared and would really appreciate any advice.

I'm looking for scholarships. I think I would've been a good candidate for the National Health Service Corps Scholarship (NHSCS), but the 2015 application cycle is now over. Is there an NHSCS alternative that I can apply to and work as a dentist in an underserved community?

 

[Soleus715]

I'm in the same boat, but i'm doing army hpsp. You can try getting a job as a dental assistant but it depends on your state's requirements.. I'm working as an assistant right now and it's been a blast so far.

With a bio degree you'll probably look at jobs like lab tech, quality control tech, etc... you'll make quite a bit more than you would as an entry level assistant, but I'm not sure how easy/difficult it is to find a job as a tech.

 

[hoppingpre]

I'm also very concerned about my financial situation, and was considering looking into the Army HPSP as well. But... in the light of recent modern affairs, I've decided that the military is not something I want to involve myself in.

So... if all else fails, try to go to your in-state state school?

 

[MRZ8]

I'm in the same boat, but i'm doing army hpsp. You can try getting a job as a dental assistant but it depends on your state's requirements.. I'm working as an assistant right now and it's been a blast so far.

With a bio degree you'll probably look at jobs like lab tech, quality control tech, etc... you'll make quite a bit more than you would as an entry level assistant, but I'm not sure how easy/difficult it is to find a job as a tech.

Thank you. I'll look into those occupations.

I'm also very concerned about my financial situation, and was considering looking into the Army HPSP as well. But... in the light of recent modern affairs, I've decided that the military is not something I want to involve myself in.

So... if all else fails, try to go to your in-state state school?

I might agree with your opinion on these "recent modern affairs." And you're right. I honestly wanted independence from family during dental school, but VCU (my in-state school) is only a one-hour drive away. A 200k coupon (from not attending another school) in exchange for some family trouble should be worth it, I guess.

 

[hellofuturedentists]

I don't think the NHSC cycle for the class of 2020 has opened yet. The 2015 cycle was for class of 2019. You can still apply!

 

[ajj70]

Maybe I misunderstood you but you don't pay off the loans while you are in dental school, they don't start until after you graduate and there are some processes for various repayment plans and such. I don't want to say that they are "affordable" when you graduate, but you should be able to pay them off in a reasonable amount of time once you start practicing.

Yes, living with family is nice, however, a 2 hour round trip commute might not be the best use of your time unless you can take public transportation and study along the way. Your living expenses are calculated into your cost of attendance and you can take loans to cover those as well if you choose, and most people do because that is the only option.

 

[fogorvostan]

I currently teach and am in my gap year. You'll be highly wanted with a biology degree and most states will give you a temporary certification. I make slightly over $41,000 + benefits for 9 months of work in Florida. Maybe worth looking into if you want to pay off some debt before dental school.