Financing Options
Tufts University – Maine Track Program
Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM), in partnership with the Maine Medical Center (MMC) in Portland Maine, offers a “Maine Track” for applicants who are interested in a unique, innovative curriculum that will offer clinical training experiences in Maine and expose medical students to the unique aspects for rural practice as well as training in a major tertiary medical center.
Legal residents of the state of Maine will be given preference. Other applicants with strong ties to Maine (such as primary undergraduate institution in Maine) and those with an interest in the practice of rural medicine are encouraged to apply. Graduates of the program will receive a combined diploma from TUSM and MMC with the expectation that a significant number of graduates from the Maine Track will establish medical practice in Maine.
Doctors for Maine Future Scholarship
A tuition subsidy of 50% of the cost of attendance annually, up to a maximum of $25,000 per student annually, for eligible students who enter qualifying Maine-based medical school programs. See www.famemaine.com.
Charles E. Gilbert Loan Program
The program, sponsored by the University of Maine, is available only to University of Maine graduates seeking medical, dental or veterinary careers. This low interest (3-5%), no fees loan is available through our financial aid office on campus. Repayment is deferrable during residency.
Health Professions Loan Program
The state of Maine, through the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), sponsors a need-based low- interest loan program for Maine residents attending medical school. Students may be eligible to borrow as much as $25,000 per year; Doctor’s for Maine’s Future recipients may only borrow up to $10,000.
This supplemental loan program is available through FAME. Interests accrues while in school and repayment may be deferred during residency.
Dental Education Assistance Loan
This is one of a few loan programs available to dentists. The Maine Dental Education Loan Program is a competitive, forgivable loan program for Maine students pursuing a career as a dentist and planning to work in Maine after graduation.
Stafford Loans
This is the same Stafford Loan program that has been available to you during your undergraduate years. The aggregate limit (the sum of undergraduate, graduate and medical of unsubsidized minus subsidized amounts for Stafford Loans) is $224,000.
Perkins Loan
Federal Perkins loans are low interest student loans awarded by college on the basis of need. College financial aid offices determine whether you qualify for federal Perkins loans and decide the amount of the loan. Colleges that participate in the Perkins loan program have a limited amount of money they can distribute, so they award these loans very selectively.
Maine Medical Education Trust Medical Student Loan Program
This loan program is available only to MD and DO students. There are no origination fees and repayment is scaled.
UMaine Student Financial Aid / University of Maine Scholarships
There are various scholarships available to UMaine students. Applications are made available in early spring in a variety of amounts.
National Health Service Corps Scholarships
These scholarships pay full tuition and fees, a monthly stipend and books and supplies expenses. Participants must serve one year of duty for each year of scholarship assistance received (exception: one year scholarship requires two year service commitment). For more information contact: National Health Service Corps Scholarship office at 1-800-221-9393.
Indian Health Services Scholarship
This program is available only to American Indians and Alaska natives. The scholarship pays full tuition, additional costs of medical education, and a monthly stipend. Recipients must serve one year for each year of scholarship assistance they receive.
Interested students should contact: Indian Health Service Scholarship Program, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD, 20857.
Primary Care Loan
This loan is based on need. In addition, the borrower must sign a loan agreement to enter and complete a primary care residency and practice in a primary care field. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident.
Armed Forces Health Scholarship Program
In exchange for a later active duty service obligation, this scholarship program will pay full tuition, fees, the cost of required texts and equipment, and a monthly stipend. The financial aid office at each medical school has a listing of the Armed Forces Recruiters who can provide additional information regarding the programs.