Now that you’re committed to becoming a physician, you’ll have to figure out how to pay for medical school. After tapping into the scholarships and grants available to you as a med student, you’ll have the option of utilizing federal student aid to fund your medical education.

You may be familiar with the financial aid process from your undergraduate degree, but it’s normal to have additional questions when it comes to student loans for medical school. The good news, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a very user-friendly process that enables students like you to apply for financial aid for medical school.

To clear up any potential confusion, however, we’ve outlined some of the most frequently asked questions about the FAFSA for medical school. Use the following information to assist you as you continue to map out your journey toward earning your Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.

5 Common questions about FAFSA for medical school

Student loans can help alleviate some of the stress that comes with funding your medical education. As you prepare for medical school, consider the following information about the FAFSA process.

1. Why should I pursue federal student loans for medical school?

The two options available when it comes to loan opportunities are federal or private student loans. Generally speaking, federal student loans offer advantages that you won’t typically find from most private loans. These include things like lower fixed interest rates, consolidation opportunities, and various repayment options such as income-based repayment or pay-as-you-earn plans.

2. Can I still receive federal student aid at an international medical school?

Even if you’re considering attending an international medical school, US citizens and permanent residents can still qualify for student aid through the United States’ federal financial aid program—but you’ll need to be sure you attend an institution that has been approved by the US Department of Education.

St. George’s University (SGU), for example, has received accreditation from the Grenada Medical and Dental Council (GMDC), which has been reviewed and approved by the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA). If you plan to attend an international medical school and hope to utilize federal student aid through the US, this is the seal of approval you should be looking for.

In other words, you’ll need to confirm that the NCFMEA has extended approval for your chosen medical school through the US Department of Education to participate in the federal student loan program.

3. How do I complete the FAFSA?

The process of completing the FAFSA for medical school is actually very straightforward. You can do so online, and while the process is pretty uniform, there are some specific details you’ll want to confirm with your school. For example, be sure to check your school’s requirements for FAFSA filing dates, as these may vary from institution to institution.

Parental information may also be required by medical schools for students who hope to be considered for institutional financial aid. Note that this may still be the case even when the applicant is considered an independent for the purposes of federal loans. Be sure to check with your medical school’s financial aid office to verify their requirements.

Finally, it’s a good idea to apply early when possible. Unexpected situations can sometimes arise that could delay your application. You can avoid the potential stress of a missed deadline by getting ahead of the necessary application deadlines.

4. What happens after I submit my FAFSA?

Upon submitting your application for federal aid, your medical school’s financial aid office will receive and process your FAFSA results. You will then receive an aid offer from the school indicating the types and amounts of financial aid you’re eligible to receive. If you accept the aid offered, you’ll want to look into the details about when your loan funds will be available to you so you can plan your medical school tuition payments accordingly.

5. Can I qualify for federal student loan forgiveness as a medical student?

Generally speaking, federal student loans provide a variety of repayment plans, which can be particularly important for medical residents who have just earned their MD degrees. That said, some medical school graduates can qualify for loan forgiveness programs.

Physicians who agree to meet a specific need for a designated period of time can have some or even all of their medical school debt repaid. Loan forgiveness and/or repayment programs are sponsored by national, state, and local governments. Physicians who enter these programs are typically recruited to practice in designated health professional shortage areas. Living stipends are often also available to participating medical practitioners.

CalHealthCares, for example, offers loan forgiveness to physicians who provide care for patients who are part of California’s Medicaid program. An extensive (but not exhaustive) list of federal loan repayment opportunities can be found here.

Fund your medical education

When determining how to pay for medical school, it’s not uncommon for students to tap into a variety of different resources. If you plan to utilize federal student loans, you now know a bit more about what to expect when it comes time to complete the FAFSA for medical school.

As you continue forward in your journey toward becoming a physician, it can be helpful to hear how St. George’s University graduates adapted to the process of funding their medical training. Learn more in our article “SGU Alumni Dish on What Paying for Medical School Is Really Like.”