U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Federal student loans
Government loans with rules and borrower protections set by federal law.
Understand federal loansSTART HERE. KNOW WHAT YOU BORROW.
Medical school loans.
One small lesson
at a time.
Understand how to pay for medical school—and what happens after graduation.
Free No account needed Learn at your pace
YOUR FIRST FIVE STEPS
- 1What is a student loan?Start here. No jargon required.
- 2Federal vs. private loans
- 3Interest, fees, and the real cost
- 4What changed in July 2026
- 5Repayment plans and forgiveness
THE FIRST BIG DISTINCTION
Start with two types of loans.
BANKS & OTHER PRIVATE LENDERS
Private student loans
Loans offered by a lender, with rates and repayment terms set in your contract.
Understand private loansCURRENT RULES · SEPTEMBER 2026
The rules changed. Your borrowing date matters.
Understand the new federal limits, the Grad PLUS exception, and changes to repayment plans.
HAVE A SPECIFIC QUESTION?
Where are you in your medical career?
Applying to med school
Understand loan types and how to compare the cost of schools.
Start with borrowingIn medical school
Check your aid offer, current limits, and the amount still to fund.
Paying for medical schoolResident or fellow
Explore payments during training and check your PSLF path.
Understand repaymentPracticing physician
Revisit forgiveness, repayment, and private-loan trade-offs.
Explore your situation YOUR CAREER, YOUR CONTEXT
A surgeon and a primary care physician may have different options.
Explore how your specialty, employer, and loan types change the questions to ask. Specialty alone doesn’t determine the best repayment plan.
Explore options by specialtyWhich service programs include my specialty?
What should I consider during a long residency?
Does my actual employer qualify for PSLF?
Clear explanations. Traceable sources. Our guides link to federal agencies, official servicers, and financial aid resources so you can verify the details.
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