If you\u2019re wondering what the cost of dental school is and whether it\u2019s worth it, here\u2019s what you should know:<\/b><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n How much you\u2019ll pay for a dental program can vary depending on whether you\u2019re a resident or nonresident student as well as on other expenses \u2014 such as your living costs. <\/p>\n Here are the average costs you can expect for four years of dental school, according to the American Dental Association (ADA)<\/a>:<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n If you\u2019re ready to figure out how to cover your dental school costs, follow these five steps:<\/p>\n If you need to pay for school, your first step should be completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)<\/a>. Your school will use your FAFSA results to determine what federal student loans and other federal financial aid you\u2019re eligible for.<\/p>\n Keep in mind that some aid is given on a first-come, first-served basis \u2014 so it\u2019s wise to submit the FAFSA as early as possible, especially if you have high financial need.<\/div><\/div>\n Unlike student loans, college scholarships<\/a> and grants<\/a> don\u2019t have to be repaid \u2014 which makes them a great way to pay for dental school. There\u2019s no limit to how many scholarships and grants you can get, so it\u2019s a good idea to apply for as many as you can.<\/p>\n You might also qualify for school-based scholarships depending on your FAFSA results. Additionally, you can use sites like Fastweb<\/a> and Scholarships.com<\/a> to easily search for awards that you might be eligible for.<\/div><\/div>\n If you need to borrow money to pay for dental school, it\u2019s usually best to rely on federal student loans<\/a> first. This is mainly because these loans come with major federal benefits and protections \u2014 such as access to income-driven repayment plans and student loan forgiveness programs.<\/p>\n Here are the two main types of federal student loans that dental students could be eligible for:<\/p>\n With PLUS Loans, on the other hand, you might be able to borrow up to your school\u2019s cost of attendance minus any other financial aid you\u2019ve received.<\/div><\/div>\n The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)<\/a> provides loans to schools, which are then passed on to students with financial need. Loans that might be available to dental school students include:<\/p>\n After you\u2019ve exhausted your scholarship and grant options and applied for any federal and HRSA loans that you\u2019re eligible for, private student loans<\/a> could help fill any financial gaps left over. These loans are offered by private lenders, such as online lenders as well as traditional banks and credit unions.<\/p>\n Note that private student loans don\u2019t come with federal protections. However, they do offer some benefits of their own \u2014 for example, you can apply at any time and might be able to borrow more than you\u2019d get with a Direct Unsubsidized Loan.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re struggling to get approved, consider applying with a creditworthy cosigner. Even if you don\u2019t need a cosigner to qualify, having one could get you a lower interest rate than you\u2019d get on your own. Just keep in mind that if you can\u2019t make your payments, your cosigner will be on the hook.<\/div><\/div>\n\n
Average cost of dental school over four years<\/h2>\n
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How to pay for dental school<\/h2>\n
1. Fill out the FAFSA<\/h3>\n
2. Apply for scholarships and grants<\/h3>\n
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3. Take out federal student loans<\/h3>\n
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4. Consider HRSA programs<\/h3>\n
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5. Shop around for private student loans<\/h3>\n
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