AAMC Action advocates for policies that make medical school more accessible for students in every community to create a stronger physician workforce. In part due to the specialized training required, health professions degrees often come at a higher cost than others, leading to more significant student loan needs. By breaking down barriers for students to pursue careers in medicine, federal student aid programs help students from all socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds access the funding needed to pursue medical school. And, in turn, allow all communities to access a greater supply of high-quality physicians.

At a time when the U.S. is facing a doctor shortage, federal loan repayment and assistance programs — such as Grad PLUS, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) — make it possible for more patients and communities across the nation to have access to trusted, high-quality health care. Because these programs help alleviate medical students’ concerns about repaying medical education debt, future health care professionals can more easily afford to practice in any location, serving any population that aligns with their values and career goals.

The Grad PLUS loan is a key financial resource that enables medical students from all backgrounds to attend medical school. This loan allows borrowing up to an institution’s cost of attendance with flexible credit requirements that only look for adverse credit history, making it easier for borrowers without a credit history or income to qualify. Additionally, federal loans are an important option for medical students because they offer flexible repayment options and other key student loan borrower protections which enable medical graduates to manage their student loans during the challenges of residency.

As medical students invest in their future careers to serve all patients, we must support access to affordable medical education to ensure that communities across the nation can get the care they need.