Community Voices

As a medical student, substantial cuts to federal student aid programs would directly impact my ability to afford my education and pursue my dream of becoming a physician. Medical school is already financially demanding, with tuition, fees, and living expenses adding up to significant debt. Federal aid programs provide essential support that allows students like me to focus on rigorous coursework and clinical training without the overwhelming burden of financial insecurity. Reducing these resources could force students to take on excessive private loans, delay their education, or even abandon their medical aspirations altogether. At a time when the health care system needs more dedicated professionals, limiting access to financial aid would create unnecessary barriers for future doctors, ultimately affecting the quality and accessibility of patient care.

Program like these [PSLF and Grad PLUS] are essential to the improvement of medicine and public health. The U.S. already has a physician shortage and adding financial barriers exacerbates the problem as many cannot afford the financial burden of medical school.

As a rising MS2 and a dedicated member of my medical school community, I’ve seen firsthand how essential federal student aid programs like Grad PLUS and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) are in making medical education accessible. Medical school is a rigorous and costly endeavor, but these programs allow students—especially those from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds—to pursue their passion for medicine without the insurmountable burden of private loans or financial insecurity. Grad PLUS has provided me with the necessary funding to focus on my studies, leadership roles, and service to my peers rather than worrying about financial barriers. PSLF, in turn, offers a pathway for aspiring physicians like me to give back to underserved communities without being crushed by loan repayment. Eliminating or reducing these programs would create even greater barriers for future physicians and exacerbate the physician shortage at a time when our communities need us most. I urge policymakers to safeguard these vital resources, ensuring that students from all backgrounds can continue their medical education and serve the patients who need them most.

The cuts in research and health services is going to make this country less competitive and in the long term disadvantage people.

Grad PLUS and other financial aid programs are crucial for medical education in the U.S. because they ensure that aspiring doctors from all socioeconomic backgrounds have access to the necessary funding to pursue their education. Many students graduate with significant debt, influencing their specialty choices. Loan programs and forgiveness options can incentivize doctors to work in lower-paying but essential fields like primary care or rural medicine. The U.S. faces physician shortages, particularly in underserved areas. Accessible education ensures a steady pipeline of new doctors to meet health care demands.

Grad PLUS is the only reason I am able to attend medical school as a first generation college student. Without it, I would not have even applied. PSLF is something I was expecting to have available to me in the future as I am applying family medicine this year. I want to provide primary care in my local community and having PSLF would really help me pay back my loans without stress.