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Congratulations! After years of rigorous studying, training, and overall hard work, you’ve graduated from medical school. At this point, you’ve likely made it through Match Day and are ready to start a residency, even closer to becoming a fully fledged doctor.

Though the relief of graduation is certainly well deserved, medical school isn’t going to disappear from your rearview mirror soon. If you’re like most medical students, you likely finished school with a considerable amount of debt.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges , 84% of medical students in the graduating class of 2020 had education debt (premedical and medical) of $100,000 or more, with 54% of graduates owing $200,000 or more and 20% owing $300,000 or more.

And while doctors can potentially make quite a bit of money—pediatricians earn an average of $232,000 and orthopedic specialists make $511,000, according to Medscape’s 2020 annual compensation report , for example—the average resident does not.

So, what’s a resident to do? Unfortunately, for some, finances may continue to be a challenge in the years immediately after graduating from medical school, so it could be helpful to take steps to lessen the financial anxiety that can accompany such a significant debt load.

The good news is most physicians could be on track to pay off their debt quicker than those in other fields with lower earning potential. But, even once you make the big bucks as a doctor and negotiate a sizable physician signing bonus, you’ll likely look to maintain your financial well-being.

Here, we take a look at some steps that may help you to get the most out of your money post-med school-and manage your student loans.

Making a Post-Med School Budget and Sticking to It

Residency can feel like a time when you’re struggling to make ends meet while working 12-hour shifts on your way to becoming a doctor. Being placed in a city with a high cost of living only increases the challenge.

The average resident salary in 2020 was $63,400, according to Medscape’s 2020 annual report . This may not go as far as it would seem to someone who has been in school earning no money.

Creating a budget that makes sense for your current circumstances and sticking to it will help. This might not include a fancy car (yet), and unless you’ve already signed a medical contract to stay in the same city after your residency, then it may not include buying a house either—even if you might be tempted by a mortgage loan.

Budgeting doesn’t end once you’re done with residency, either. If you can stick to your resident budget for an extra year or two, you may be able to save up money to pay down more on your student loans and start your medical career with some cash.

After all, the rate at which you are able to become debt-free may largely depend on your budget and lifestyle, not just your income.

Having an Emergency Fund and a Retirement Account

Typically, a good financial wellness rule of thumb is to aim to have a few months’ worth of your income saved up for an emergency fund. And yes, this is even applicable for doctors, who, like everyone else, could have something happen that ends up being a huge expense.

Given this, one good idea may be to start stashing away money whenever you can, and putting this emergency money into a separate account from your regular checking account. This way, you can know that it’s there but not be tempted to use it.

Though retirement may seem like a lifetime away—especially after recently finishing up school—saving for retirement as soon as is practical is a common financial goal. It’s also helpful to get into the habit of putting away something regularly. With a solid budget in place, you may be less likely to have to pick between paying down student loans and setting aside for retirement: it’s possible to do both.

Depending on your situation and goals, you may want to invest your money in a 401(k), 403(b), or a traditional or Roth IRA. It may be helpful to keep in mind that one easy way to up your retirement savings is by contributing enough to your employer-sponsored plan to max out on any company match. If your work doesn’t offer a retirement savings plan, consider opening an IRA with SoFi and get access to a broad range of investment options, member services, and a robust suite of planning and investment tools.

Considering an Income-Driven Loan Repayment Plan

You might find yourself feeling tempted to put your medical school student loans (if they’re federal student loans) on hold or into forbearance while you finish residency, but that move could still rack up interest and leave you further in debt.

Instead, you might consider an income-driven repayment plan that establishes monthly payments based on your income and family size.

It may not be as fast as sticking with traditional repayment plans, but if it’s necessary, this method could potentially help you avoid ballooning interest payments while you’re in residency, and typically lowers your monthly payments by lengthening your loan term. (Repayer beware: longer loan terms mean more interest payments, so it’s likely you’ll pay more for your loans overall.)

For med school graduates, there are a few federal income-driven repayment plans you may want to consider: income-based repayment (IBR), income-contingent repayment (ICR), and Pay As You Earn (PAYE).

The eligibility requirements will vary for each type of plan, and you may have to pay more once you sign a medical contract or earn more as a doctor, as income for plans such as PAYE is reviewed on an annual basis. Still, it’s helpful to consider the different options out there and choose what works best for you. And if you choose to practice medicine in underserved communities—as we’ll explain in more detail below—an income-driven repayment plan may be part of that picture.

Checking out Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

Another potential option you may want to look into is going into a public service program. This option allows for a particularly attractive perk for doctors: student loan debt forgiveness.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is one such program run by the U.S. Department of Education that forgives the remainder of federal loans after participants have met certain eligibility requirements, such as ten years’ worth of on-time, eligible monthly payments and working for a qualifying employer, which typically includes government or certain nonprofit organizations.

The good news is that these programs may tie in nicely with the work you already want to do as a doctor. If you’ve always wanted to go into public service and also find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of paying off all of your debts, then this may be a great option.

Even if you’re not entirely sure, it may be a good idea to get started with the process now because you will need to ensure your repayment plan is on track in order to qualify later—and that may require one of the income-driven plans mentioned above.

To set yourself up financially for this situation, first you may need to consolidate your federal loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan, but it’s wise to carefully review the PSLF program requirements first.

Additionally, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) also have med school loan repayment programs for doctors who are interested in doing medical research for a nonprofit organization (through NIH programs) or health care work in a high-need area (via the NHSC program).

Many states also run their own loan forgiveness and repayment programs for doctors, which are worth looking into if you’re interested in this route. Keep in mind, there may be several different options that can help you get your loans forgiven.

Looking into Refinancing Your Student Loans

Dealing with student debt can be one of the most stressful things people experience in their lifetime. After years of hard work, graduating into a world of six-figure debt can sometimes feel anti-climatic, but rest assured that there are options.

Even if the above strategies aren’t a fit for you, there are other ways to move forward. Depending on your exact situation and needs, you may be a good candidate for student loan refinancing, which allows you to consolidate outstanding loans and may reduce your interest rates, as well as your stress levels.

(Keep in mind that refinancing your student loans with a private lender will mean that federal loan benefits, such as PSLF and income-driven repayment, will no longer be available to you.)

Refinancing your loans at a lower interest rate can be a fairly simple way to save money on the lifetime cost of your loan. SoFi has a number of student loan refinance options for medical school graduates, with variable or fixed interest rates and no application fees.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.

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If your master plan involves climbing the corporate ladder you may be considering heading to grad school to get your MBA. It’s a serious investment—business school doesn’t come cheap.

But an MBA could help you advance your career and increase your income potential by a fairly substantial amount. If you decide to go to business school, part of your search will likely involve finding the most affordable MBA program for you.

The Cost of Getting an MBA

Tuition costs for MBA programs can vary dramatically. At the lower end, tuition starts around $27,864 per year, and at the higher end, it’s closer to $80,000 per year. At Elite schools students can expect tuition costs over $100,000.

On top of tuition costs, there are other fees and expenses associated with attending school: You’ll have to account for housing, or room and board, plus books and other supplies; some clubs, which are important for networking, have fees that you may want to cover; and certain MBA programs offer study-abroad opportunities, also at an additional cost.

For example, at MIT, the estimated cost of tuition, housing, books, and other fees for the 2020-2021 school year was $120,846 .

Affordable MBA Options

Finding an affordable MBA program may require some research, but there are options out there. Here are a few avenues to consider when looking for one of the most affordable business schools.

Affordable Full-Time MBA Programs

Take the time to do a quick search and compare the going rates of MBA programs. Attending a state school where you qualify for in-state tuition could ultimately lower the cost of earning your MBA.

For the 2020-2021 school year, in-state residents at Oklahoma State University Sears School of Business pay a tuition of $18,814.80 per year, while tuition for out-of-state students is $42,069.00. The University of Central Arkansas offers online, on-campus, and hybrid programs with a base tuition rate of $325.00 per credit hour .

Online MBA Programs

There are a variety of universities that offer online-only MBA programs , at relatively low costs. Tuition for some online MBA programs under $10,000. Online programs can also offer flexibility for students who are still working while pursuing their degree.

Depending on the program courses may be offered synchronously, at-set times where lectures take place live, or asynchronously, where lectures are recorded and students may be able to set their own schedules.

However, some online programs (especially ones that are not accredited) aren’t as well regarded by industry professionals as full-time or in-person programs, which may mean less return on investment after you graduate.

Another potential downside to an online-only education is there is limited opportunity to network with other students in the program.

Part-Time MBA Programs

Part-time MBA programs allow students to complete their MBA while still working full- or part-time. This allows students to continue earning an income and supplement what they are learning in their classes with the real-life experience they are getting from their work. Many of these programs can take two to three years to complete.

Depending on the school, the part-time MBA program may also be on the expensive side, so read the details on tuition and fees at the schools you are comparing.

One-Year MBA Programs

While two year, full-time programs are traditional, one-year MBA options are popular in Europe. These are accelerated courses of study where students enroll in an intensive program to earn their degree. The cost of tuition may be less than for a full-time MBA program since students spend just one year taking classes and out of the workforce.

More programs in the U.S. are starting to offer one-year MBA options, including Northwestern University and Cornell University .

Cost-Benefit Analysis of MBA Programs

When it comes to applying to an MBA program, the cost of tuition (and books, housing, other fees, etc.) will likely all factor into the equation. It’s also worth reviewing the average salaries of graduates from specific programs you are considering.

Some programs have a fairly low salary-to-debt ratio (highest average salary, with lowest debt incurred), while others leave their student under a mountain of debt with less than ideal income prospects after graduation.

Beyond just the cost of tuition, there are other intangible factors that may come into play, like the network you are (hopefully) building as you make your way through your MBA program plus other transferable skills you’ll hopefully gain.

It can be difficult to place a monetary value on these items, but it’s not a bad idea to consider them when making your decision. For example, if there is a strong alumni network, it could help you find a job after graduation.

How you plan on paying for your MBA should also be factored into your decision-making process. Some companies may offer to cover a portion or all of the program’s tuition.

This can be a great benefit for those able to cash in, but review company policies because there may be some strings attached: You may be required to work for a specified number of years at your current firm, which could be unappealing if you’re interested in exploring a new industry.

Another option is MBA student loans, either private or federal. While federal student loans come with attractive protections, like deferment, forbearance, or income-driven repayment plans, private student loans could be an option as well.

In general, private student loans are borrowed as a last-resort option. Federal student loans, scholarships or grants, and other fellowships are generally preferable to private student loans.

Review the loans you are eligible for, including their terms, student loan repayment plans, interest rates, and any additional fees. Take the time to see how much you could be paying in interest over the life of the loan to get an idea of what your degree could truly be costing you.

When it comes right down to it, to help ensure you’re getting an affordable and valuable degree, do your research. Finding the best program for you may take a little time, but if you’re passionate about advancing your education and pursuing a career in business, the right MBA program can be a great step in the right direction.

The Takeaway

An MBA can be a solid step for those pursuing a career in business. Graduates learn valuable skills for the workplace and could improve their earning potential.

What may be a disadvantage to some considering graduate school is the cost of some MBA programs. There are alternatives that may make getting your MBA a more affordable goal. These options include part-time, online, one-year, or even some full-time in-person MBA programs.

MBA grads with student loans may find themselves in a position where they’re interested in refinancing after entering (or re-entering) the workforce.

Student loan refinancing lenders use criteria like borrower credit history and earning potential (among other financial factors) to determine the new interest rate and terms.

As a newly minted MBA holder, you’re on the path to upward mobility and may benefit from refinancing your student loans. Refinancing any federal student loans will eliminate them from federal benefits, things like income-based repayment plans or Public Service Loan Forgiveness. But, a lower interest rate could mean you’ll pay less money over the life of the loan. To see what your new loan could look like, check out our easy-to-use student loan refinance calculator.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.

It’s not a secret that attending college can get really pricey really fast. For women students looking for a bit of help in the funding department, there are tons of great grants and scholarships for women available that can help ease the financial burden of pursuing higher education and help lower student loan debt. While there are plenty of college scholarships and grants that women can apply to, the following programs are specifically designed for women applicants.

Women’s Independence Scholarship Program

The Women’s Independence Scholarship Program provides scholarship opportunities to female survivors of intimate partner abuse in order to help them regain their independence and self-sufficiency via higher education and employment.

This organization aims to support women who have been separated from an abusive partner for at least a year. Both full-time and part-time students with financial need may be eligible.

While the average award amount is about $2,000 per school term, there is no set amount for this award.

Women In Need

The Women in Need scholarship is intended for women who are completing their sophomore year of college to earn a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and are also the primary source of support for their family. The award amount is $2,000 per year for two years if renewed.

Financial need is taken into consideration as is evidence that the applicant has a goal of pursuing a degree in accounting in order to prepare for a career as an accounting or finance professional.

Moss Adams Foundation

The Moss Adams Foundation scholarship provides $1,000 graduate scholarships for women who intend to earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is available to minority women, women returning to school as current or re-entry juniors or seniors, and women who are pursuing their fifth year requirement through general studies or a graduate program.


Recipients must illustrate commitment to the goal of pursuing a degree in accounting in order to prepare for a career in the field and will need to provide evidence of continued commitment to this goal after they receive the award.

Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund

The Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund has scholarship opportunities and provides support for low-income women who are thirty-five or older so they can build better lives through post-secondary education.

Women who are low-income and pursuing a technical or vocational education, an associate’s degree, or a first bachelor’s degree may qualify for this scholarship.

Society of Women Engineers Scholarship Program

Women admitted to accredited baccalaureate or graduate programs that are preparing them for a career in engineering, engineering technology, or computer science can qualify for the Society of Women Engineers Scholarship Program . In 2018, the program distributed around approximately 238 scholarships that come to more than $830,000 worth of awards.

Applicants have to attend or plan to attend a school with ABET-accredited programs to qualify. Each year, these awards are available for freshmen through graduate students and award amounts from $1,000 to $16,000, some of which are renewable.

Go Girl! Grants

Education grants for women are also an option for some students looking for help paying for higher education. The Go Girl! Grants is one such example. The Girlfriend Factor has supported more than 147 local women in Coachella Valley, CA with over $500,000 in grants to help them pursue four year degrees or occupational certifications.

Applicants must be currently enrolled in school in at least two classes, 25 years of age or older, and live and go to school in Coachella Valley.

P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund

If someone is looking for college scholarships for women that are international students, The Philanthropic Education Organization (P.E.O) hosts the International Peace Scholarship Fund which has been providing scholarships for women from other countries, who are pursuing graduate study in either the United States or Canada, since 1949. This scholarship is based on financial need and the maximum award amount is $12,500.

P.E.O. STAR Scholarship

The Philanthropic Education Organization also offers the P.E.O. STAR Scholarship , which was established in 2009, in order to provide scholarship opportunities to high school senior women who plan to attend an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the United States or Canada in the upcoming academic year.

This scholarship is non-renewable and offers awards of $2,500 that must be used in the academic year that directly follows high school graduation. These funds can be used for expenses like textbooks, tuition, fees, and room and board.

P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education

College grants for women are also available through P.E.O. who offers one-time need based grants to women completing a degree or certification needed to improve or gain skills that lead to employment. Recipients of the P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education must be citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States or Canada and the maximum grant is $3,000.

Soroptimist Live Your Dreams Award

Annually, Soroptimist distributes over $2.8 million in education awards to around 1,700 women from around the world, more than half of which are survivors of domestic violence, trafficking, or sexual assault. Recipients of the Soroptimist Live Your Dreams Award have overcome obstacles such as poverty, teen pregnancy, and drug or alcohol addiction.

The award is intended to help recipients offset costs associated with attaining a higher education. This includes costs like textbooks, childcare, tuition, and transportation.

Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Scholarship for Moms

Moms are in luck! There are specific scholarships for moms available. Mothers can apply for the Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Scholarship for Moms . Scholarship award availability and amounts can vary, but for reference, in 2020 the Patsy Mink Foundation offered five Education Support Awards at amounts of up to $5,000 per recipient in order to assist low-income women with children in pursuing higher education or training.

Managing Student Loan Debt that Scholarships Didn’t Cover

Hopefully there are some appealing gift aid options on this list that can help pay for higher education expenses! But even with the help of scholarships and grants, paying for college in full before graduation day can be challenging. Women with a lot of student loan debt may want to consider their student loan refinancing options to help lighten their load.

When a borrower refinances their student loans, they are taking out a new loan with a new interest rate and/or a new term. Ideally the new interest rate will be lower, making it easier and more affordable to pay off student loan debt.

It’s possible to refinance both federal and private student loans through SoFi student loan refinancing. Refinancing can be a good option for graduates who are struggling to pay down high-interest unsubsidized Direct Loans, Graduate PLUS loans, and/or private loans.

While there are some great benefits associated with refinancing student loans, it is worth noting that when a student refinances a federal loan into a private one, they lose access to certain federal protections such as public service forgiveness and economic hardship programs.

The Takeaway

Scholarships can be supremely helpful for students trying to pay for college. There are a variety of scholarships available specifically for women. In addition to the scholarships listed above, there may be opportunities available for women at a local level or, or at the college or university the student attends. Check the school’s financial aid website.

There are also online databases that can help students find scholarships to apply for.

Sometimes, paying for school entirely with scholarships isn’t possible. Students who borrowed student loans may be interested in refinancing them if they’re able to qualify for a lower interest rate or more competitive terms.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.

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