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Financial Aid

Piggy BankSUNY Downstate Medical Center is committed to help students meet their educational expenses through various types of financial assistance. Grants are offered on the basis of need, determined in accordance with Federal regulations. Some scholarships based on academic achievement are available. The major portion of our assistance is derived from federal and state funding. We offer grants, scholarships, loans and federal College Work Study. Loans are the most common form of assistance.

The average estimated annual cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books and supplies and all other living expenses) for the College of Medicine for New York State residents is slightly more than $40,000 per academic year (including health insurance), if you are not living at home. This average is significantly lower than other area Medical Schools and means that if you must borrow, your indebtedness will be lower, providing more latitude in career choices and residency decisions for you, post-graduation. This cost of attendance is determined through the gathering of statistics provided by public and private entities, and is supported by a student survey.

The amount of assistance you may receive is determined by the cost of attendance. We are able to provide assistance to all students, up to the full cost. However, the primary responsibility for financing your graduate education rests with you; therefore, except for students with high levels of need, most of the assistance will be in the form of loans. All students are guaranteed help if it is needed.

To apply for aid, you must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1. To receive priority consideration for aid, you must apply before March 1. As a graduate Health Professions student, you must submit parental information on the FAFSA. If you are accepted to the College, our financial aid handbook and our institutional financial aid application will be mailed to you.

For up to date information visit the Financial Aid site.

Costs of Education

As a comparison, tuition and fees for 2009–2010 alone at private medical schools in the metropolitan area average $44,513. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, 2008 private medical school graduates reported an average indebtedness level of $173,304 and 67% reported indebtedness levels of over $150,000. For 2008, the average indebtedness of our graduates was only $112,159 and only 23.8% reported an indebtedness level of $150,000 or more.