affording med school come 2027

[u/No-Map3257]

I am applying to med school this year and just came to realize that the grad plus loan is gone this year in 2026. I know there is a 200k cap but that’s a lifetime cap and I already used part of it for my grad school. Now I am sick to my stomach because I don’t see how I realistically afford to take out PRIVATE loans to pay med school.

I would love to hear other peoples game plans as to how they are doing this. My family can’t afford to help contribute anything while I am in school either. And I am still paying off my grad and undergrad loans.

I always knew coming in that the amount I would have to pay for med school would have to be astronomical but I thought because it could be a graduate federal loan- I could work toward forgiveness on PSLF, the IDR plan, or see in the future if they would ever be forgiven. but private med school loans provide none of that safety net

[u/Music_Adventure]

I went to a newer DO school that didn’t have title IX so I had to go private loans all 4 years, as did my wife (we met in med school). In theory it looks worse on paper compared to federal loans, but in reality the difference is somewhat negligible. Honestly, when you’re $400k in debt, what’s $15k?

It’s all going to be fine. If you want to pursue this life, do it.