The cost of a medical education in the United States is expensive, regardless of the school one attends.  It is the philosophy of the University of Virginia School of Medicine that the lack of money should not prevent a worthy student from becoming a physician.  The staff in the Office of Financial Aid works very closely with our students before and after matriculation to develop an optimal aid package—through available scholarships and loans—that meets each individual student’s needs.  Our goal for you is an excellent medical education that is financed appropriately.  Working with our financial aid staff, graduates of the UVA School of Medicine incur an average debt burden of approximately $121,000 compared to the national average that exceeds $161,000.  The University of Virginia School of Medicine consistently ranks in the top 20% of U.S. medical schools, but the average debt of our graduates has remained below the 20^th percentile.

The University of Virginia School of Medicine admissions and financial aid processes are conducted independently from each other.  You are selected for admission on the  basis of personal and academic qualifications.  The fact that you may need financial assistance with your education has no bearing on your selection for admission.  An offer of admission does not imply a guarantee of financial assistance. In order to receive financial aid, you must apply separately and meet standard financial aid criteria to qualify.  The Financial Aid staff is ready to assist you with this process.

The medical school's Financial Aid Office assists prospective and enrolled medical students whose families cannot afford the full cost of a medical education.  We help our students secure financial aid from both school and non-school programs.  Approximately 89% of medical students at the University of Virginia currently receive financial support from one or a combination of sources such as federal, state and private loans and scholarships; military scholarships; the MD/PHD program; and loans and scholarships from the medical school.  Although approximately 59% of applicants qualified for need-based scholarship from our School of Medicine or other outside sources, a large part of the assistance received by our students is in the form of loans.  The Financial Aid Office offers comprehensive counseling in budgeting and debt management throughout enrollment.

It is the philosophy of medical schools across the country that the cost of a medical education should be shared by the student, spouse, and parents to the extent of their capability.  Even for medical students, most need-based aid is intended to supplement, not replace, a family contribution determined by standardized need analysis methodology.

Borrowing, by definition, is obligating future income, and every dollar you borrow during school will impact your standard of living after you graduate.  Educational debt is an investment in your future, but we want to help you minimize future financial stress by becoming an informed and careful borrower.  We are here to advise and counsel you about the financing of your medical education, so you can focus you efforts on your academic success at UVA.