The Office of Student Financial Services assists students with financial issues they face during and after their medical studies. We encourage our students to budget wisely and live frugally. We work with them to achieve good financial management and help them understand how their spending habits influence their use of credit cards and how much they borrow through the student loan programs. We diligently work to find additional sources of gift aid for our students. Our goal is that the College of Medicine graduates’ choices will not be limited by their finances.
Debt Management
Our goal is that the College of Medicine graduates’ choices will not be limited by their finances:
- During the student’s first interview with us, we stress the importance of budgeting and borrowing only what is needed, as well as paying down credit card debt prior to enrollment. We review the Cost of Attendance and its components.
- During the Orientation Week, each enrolled student will have an opportunity to meet with the Office of Student Financial Services to discuss their personal financial needs. We will review their Cost of Attendance, and with this as their guide, help them to formulate a budget to live within their means. We will review disbursement dates, so they realize the length of time between refunds and to help them understand that their funding must last until the end of the enrollment period. We provide Loan Entrance Counseling in person or online for student loan borrowers.
- During the academic year, counseling is available to students who want more information about financial assistance, personal budgeting, debt management, or other financial issues.
To keep track of student loan debt, please visit www.studentaid.gov.
Credit Reports
Lenders report their loan payment status to national credit bureaus such as Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. If a borrower is delinquent with a loan payment or has defaulted on a debt obligation, his or her credit rating will be tarnished. This means that s/he will have difficulty obtaining alternative student loans, a home mortgage, car loan or credit cards. Whenever possible, a derogatory credit finding should be cleared before applying for loans or any type of credit. Student loan lenders can provide information on how to rehabilitate a delinquent or defaulted loan.
Students should periodically obtain copies of their credit reports by contacting one of the major credit reporting agencies, or they may obtain a free copy of their credit report every year by visiting annualcreditreport.com For more information about your credit scores please contact:
Experian – 800.682.7654
Equifax – 800.685.1111
Trans Union – 800.888.4213