If you consider only the cost of living, the four years required for the Doctor of Medicine degree is a costly investment in one's future. With the additional charges for tuition and other fees, the annual cost may be beyond the financial resources of an accepted student and his or her parents. When documented financial need exists, students should apply for financial aid.

A frequently heard comment from both students and parents is that financial aid "forgets" the middle-income family. Washington University has addressed this matter by providing need-based scholarship support as a part of our financial aid award while most other medical schools offer only loans. Using the 2009-10 estimate for the cost of education at $63,602 for the first year of study, if the need-analysis estimates that the student and parents can contribute $27,874, the student "documents" financial need of $35,728. Once this amount is determined, we fund half by scholarship and half by loans that are interest free during school. Therefore, the student with $35,728 of documented need would receive $17,864 in scholarship and $17,864 in loan support. If a student's need-based loan support reaches $20,000, the remaining need is satisfied entirely with scholarship. Many medical schools do not provide any scholarship funds until a significant portion of the student's need is covered by loans.

For students who are accepted for admission to the 2010 first-year class, financial aid application packets will be available early in 2010. You may print the required forms from this web page.

By early 2010, the student and both biological parents have the financial documents necessary to complete their U.S. Individual Income Tax Return for 2009 (Form 1040, Form 1040-A and Form 1040-EZ). Using financial data from a completed income tax return, a requirement of Washington University, we are able to make a financial aid decision which states specifically the amounts, sources, and terms of scholarship and loan funds. While other medical schools may provide only an estimated award, Washington's financial aid award is a firm commitment--an award you can bank on!

Need-based financial aid awards

Washington's need-based financial aid awards are determined by a careful evaluation of detailed financial information provided by the applicant and the applicant's parents. If an applicant's parents are separated or divorced, the financial information is required from both biological parents (excluding income and assets of their spouse, if they have remarried). All financial data is documented with official copies of U.S. individual income tax return of the applicant and the applicant's parents.

"Permanent residents" of the United States are eligible for Federal financial aid programs. But need-based financial aid is awarded from Washington only if the applicant and parents can provide official, audited documents with the same detailed information as provided on a U.S. income tax return. Students who are not "permanent residents" or citizens of the United States are not eligible for need-based financial aid and must document, in a manner acceptable to Washington University, resources to pay the cost of education for four years.

Educational Debt Data

Washington University School of Medicine

2009 Graduates

Amount Number

$0	28
1-19,999	7
20,000-39,999	11
40,000-59,999	8
60,000-79,999	11
80,000-99,999	9
100,000-119,999	6
120,000-139,999	7
140,000-159,999	10
160,000-179,999	13
180,000-199,999	1
200,000-229,999	2

Number of graduates with debt:	85
Total amount borrowed:	$8,358,748

Average Debt

$98,338

National Averages

2009 Graduates With Debt

Public medical schools:	$148,101
Private medical schools:	$170,012
All (public & private)	$156,456

Full-tuition scholarships

In addition to our considerable need-based financial aid resources, Washington is among a small number of medical schools which offer merit-based scholarships. Our merit scholarships are full tuition scholarships and are offered to entering students only.

Through an arrangement with the Monticello Foundation, Washington University is the exclusive site for the Mr. and Mrs. Spencer T. Olin Fellowships for Women. Full-tuition scholarships are awarded to selected women throughout the University who are beginning their graduate or professional degree study. In each first-year class, the medical school has historically received between one and three of the four-year scholarships.

While it is not considered a financial aid program, Washington University's Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) provides significant financial support to its trainees. Each student receives payment of tuition and a monthly stipend for living expenses. Our MSTP is the largest program in the nation (up to 25 MSTP students are in each first-year class of 120).

Other features to consider

Just as financial aid resources vary considerably between medical schools, the cost of education also differs in ways that go beyond tuition. The following are features of Washington University and St. Louis which should be considered when comparing costs.

Washington's tuition is "stabilized." TUITION WILL NOT INCREASE. The tuition you are charged as a First-Year Student is the tuition you will pay all four years.

Washington's tuition is "comprehensive." There are NO ADDITIONAL FEES. All students receive, without additional charge, student health coverage, hospitalization and long-term disability insurance. In addition, they are provided a laboratory grade microscope during the first and second year of study as well as an e-mail account and internet access through University computers.

St. Louis is consistently recognized as one of the least expensive cities in the United States for housing, both purchase and rental, and for overall cost of living.