Take a look at the top 10 questions every incoming dental school student should ask about financing their dental education.
Where to Go for Help
When determining how to finance your dental education, it is important to research information about all your financing options. This should help ensure you are making as informed a decision as possible about how to pay for dental school. In addition to contacting your school’s financial aid office, use this list of resources to help you find more information about different programs and services that can help.
StudentAid.gov
This important resource is from Federal Student Aid (FSA), part of the U.S. Department of Education. Once you login, look for the “dashboard” which lists all your federal loans, regardless of their status or when you took them out. You will also find information on repayment, including income-driven plans you may need to use if you cannot afford repayment under more traditional time-driven plans.
This website contains information on postponement options and loan forgiveness programs, including Public Service Loan Forgiveness. It also provides information on loan servicers, including contact information. We do urge caution regarding the Loan Simulator available on this site, as it is very undergraduate-driven. We recommend you use the AAMC/ADEA Dental Loan Organizer and Calculator Factsheet (PDF) at all repayment options.
State and Federal Loan Repayment Assistance Programs
Dentists, dental hygienists and allied dental providers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are eligible for the federal and state student loan repayment programs outlined.
IRS.gov
This website provides information on tax benefits for education, including the Student Loan Interest Deduction. Look for Publication 970—Tax Benefits for Education.