Your success starts with a medical school loan
Cover medical school and related expenses as you earn your MD, DO, DPM, DVM, or VMD.
3.49%
to 14.46% APRfootnote 1
What are fixed rates?
Fixed means your interest rate never changes.
If you want a predictable monthly payment, this is the way to go.

4.54%
to 13.96% APRfootnote 1
What are variable rates?
Variable interest rates go up or down as the market changes.
This means your monthly payments may also change—they might be higher if interest rates rise and lower if they fall.

Medical school student loan benefits
Breaking down your repayment options

Interest repayment option
How does it work?
You pay your interest every month you’re in school and in grace (the 36 months after).footnote 1
This is a great option if you want to save the most.
Students may get an interest rate that is .50 percentage points lower than deferred repayment.footnote 1
Keep in mind:
You might have higher monthly payments, but the total cost of your loan may be lower.

Fixed repayment option
How does it work?
You pay $25 every monthfootnote 4 you’re in school and in grace.footnote 1
This is a great option if you want to make a dent in payments from the start.
Students may get an interest rate that is .25 percentage points lower than deferred repayment.footnote 1
Keep in mind:
Any interest you don’t pay during school will be added to your principal amount (total borrowed) after grace.

Deferred repayment option
How does it work?
You’ll have no scheduled payments while you’re in school and in grace.footnote 1
This is a great option if you want to focus on class and not on making loan payments.
Keep in mind:
The total cost of your loan may be higher because the interest you don’t pay on your loan while you’re in school and grace will be added to the original amount you borrowed (principal amount).
What you gain with our medical school loan
Sallie Mae® Medical School Loan |
Other competitors |
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Less than half-time enrollment eligibility |
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Apply for cosigner release after 12 months of on-time principal and interest payments and credit requirements have been metfootnote 5 |
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Interest-only payments for 12 months after grace period for qualifying graduate loan borrowersfootnote 6 |
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Cover up to 100% of the cost of attendance minus financial aidfootnote 7 |
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Fixed and variable interest rate options |
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In-school or deferred repayment options for graduate loan borrowersfootnote 1 |
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minutes
1. Tell us some basics
2. Choose your loan options
3. Sign and accept
Doing a medical residency or fellowship?
Our medical residency and relocation loan can help you cover board examination, interview travel, and moving costs.
FAQs
Have other questions? We’re here to help.
1-877-279-7172
Are there different loan options for different stages of medical school (e.g., pre-med, MD/DO program, residency)?
You may be eligible for a medical school loan of $1,000 up to the total cost of attendancefootnote 7 if you are:
- Working as a full-time, half-time, or less than half-time student
- Studying in an M.D., D.O., D.V.M., V.M.D., or D.P.M. program
- Attending a participating degree-granting school
Sallie Mae also has a residency and relocation loan for medical students to help pay for expenses related to their medical residency.
Do medical school loans offer deferment or forbearance options during residency or fellowship programs?
A deferment may help you postpone or reduce your medical school loan payments during your residency. It's available in increments of 12 months, up to a total of 48 months.footnote 8
Find out about a residency and fellowship deferment
A Sallie Mae Medical Residency and Relocation Loan can help you pay for expenses associated with board examinations, interview travel, and moving costs.
How much can I borrow for medical school?
With the Sallie Mae Medical School Loan, you can get up to 100% coverage for all of your school-certified expenses. This includes tuition, fees, books, housing, meals, travel, technology, and more.4
Can I use my medical school loans to cover expenses such as board exams and licensing fees?
Yes, you can use medical school loans to cover expenses such as board exams and licensing fees, if they are included in your school's cost of attendance.
Can I use my medical school loans to study abroad or participate in international medical programs?
Some medical school loans can be used to study abroad or participate in international medical programs. You can:
- Contact the schools you’re interested in to find out whether they accept Sallie Mae loans
- Contact Sallie Mae to determine whether your schools are qualified
- Look for the schools you’re interested in within your medical school loan application
Can international students qualify for medical student loans?
Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents may be eligible for medical school loans if they:
- Reside in the U.S.
- Attend a participating school in the U.S.
- Apply with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident)
- Provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID to verify their identity