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Eliminating Student Loan Debt

"I'm buried under a mountain of loan debt.  How am I ever going to get out from underneath?"

If we had a nickel for every time we get this question from new physicians...

We wish we could tell you there is a magic bullet for it, but there's not.  We wish we could wave a wand for you to make it all go away, but we can't. 

Bottom line?  Eliminating debt will likely just take hard work and discipline.  Everyone's loan situation is different. To help you get started, here are some tips and resources.

STEP 1:

  • Get organized!
  • Make a full list of ALL of your private and federal loans
  • Use the following links to be sure you get them all:
  1. National Student Loan Data Base; www.nslds.ed.gov
  2. Federal Student Aid; www.fas.customer.support@ed.gov
  3. Obtain a copy of your credit report; www.annualcreditreport.com

STEP 2:

  • Get educated!
  • Know your options on scholarships, loan forgiveness programs, and loan repayment options. See additional information below

STEP 3: Start making payments NOW!

  • There is a cost to procrastination
  • The sooner you start, the better off you'll be in the long run
  • Government programs may be time-sensitive

Helpful Links

Scholarships

National Health Service Corps Scholarship Programs; http://www.nhsc.hrsa.gov/scholarships/

Indian Health Service Health Professions Scholarships; http://www.ihs.gov/scholarship/

Military Scholarships; www.goarmy.comwww.airforce.comwww.gonavy.com

Loan Forgiveness Programs

Minnesota Rural Physician and Minnesota Urban Physician Loan Forgiveness Programs; http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/orhpc/funding/loans/#1

Public Service Loan Forgiveness; https://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/charts/public-service

Loan Repayment Programs

National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program; http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/ Indian Health Service (IHS) Loan Repayment Program; http://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/

Minnesota State Loan Repayment Program; http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/orhpc/funding/loans/state.html


Links to external sites are provided for your convenience in locating related information and services. Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents, and employees expressly disclaim any responsibility for and do not maintain, control, recommend, or endorse third-party sites, organizations, products, or services, and make no representation as to the completeness, suitability, or quality thereof.  Guardian and its subsidiaries do not issue or advise with regard to student loans.

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