Financial Aid Debt Management General Information

Loan Borrowing is a Necessary Part of Graduate Education

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Financial Aid Office is well aware that students must borrow loans to assist with funding their education.  Although low-interest educational loans are made available to students, the fact is, that it is a loan and “loans must be repaid".

Over $8M in loans are borrowed each year by students in the School of Medicine with students graduating with an average debt of $85,000.  Although the average debt amount is well below the national average for private medical schools, many students still need sound debt management education to help with understanding their options for repayment of the loans.

It is the goal of the Financial Aid Office to help students make responsible decisions about borrowing and repayment of their loans and to provide the necessary tools to make informed and knowledgeable decisions about their future.

How Do We Achieve this Goal?

The Financial Aid Office, in cooperation with JHU Student Assistance Program, has developed a “Financial Fitness” program which offers financial planning and debt management counseling and workshop services to help students manage their loan borrowing and make informed decisions about their financial well-being.   Programs are presented throughout the year providing valuable information and strategies to help students manage their loan debt and the “life” issues that may be affected by the amount of loan borrowing.   

The “total” well being of the student is important.  The Financial Aid Office and the JHU Student Assistance Program is aware of the importance of the integration of each offices services and the positive impact that can be accomplished by working together for the betterment of the student’s well being.