Financing a DMD education can be difficult. Pitt Dental Medicine includes the following information to assist applicants to our DMD Program.
You may borrow up to the amount of your estimated budget for the academic year in which you will be registered for classes.
Federal Direct Student Loan
The Federal Direct Student Loan program is the most widely used student loan program for both undergraduate and graduate students interested in borrowing to help meet educational expenses. Borrowing limits, interest rates and terms of repayment are determined and regulated by the United States Department of Education. The 2023-24 Academic Year interest rate for unsubsidized loans is fixed at 7.05 percent. Repayment begins six months following graduation. This is the initial source of financial assistance for all students, and will be assumed in all award packaging.
Health Professions Loan
This loan has an interest rate of 5 percent and is subsidized while the student maintains at least half-time enrollment status. Award amounts vary and are determined by parental income, class costs, financial status, and account balance. Repayment of this loan begins 12 months after graduation, with a maximum repayment period of ten years. In order to qualify for this loan, you are required to submit a copy of your parent's federal tax return regardless of your age or marital status. There is no exception to this requirement. If your parent's do not want to give you this information, you cannot participate in this loan program.
Alternative Loans
If the Direct Loan and Health Professions Loan are not enough to cover all expenses, an Alternative Loan is the next type of loan offered for consideration. An Alternative Loan can be a Federal Graduate Plus Loan or a Private Loan. The Graduate Plus interest rate for 2023-24 is fixed at 8.05 percent. Private Loans offer both fixed and variable rates; both loans are unsubsidized loans. Terms and conditions vary from lender to lender. It is the student's responsibility to research the loan that best suits their needs.
For more information about student loans please contact the Office of Student Affairs.
Funds will be disbursed approximately a week before the beginning of the term. The funds will be applied to your student account and all tuition and fee charges will be deducted from the loan. If you have a credit balance after all charges have been deducted, you will receive a refund within three to five working days from the day the money was applied to your account.