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Managing Your Finances

For a healthy financial life, students are encouraged to budget carefully and to anticipate expenses as they progress through the curriculum. Use our Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine Student Budget Worksheet to help plan and manage your personal budget.

Budgeting Worksheet for Fertitta College of Medicine Students [Excel]

Budgeting Tips

Budget wisely. Is that designer coffee each morning worth $6 a day rather than brewing your own at home? Will you be required to travel more in your second year than your first year? Consider your expenses carefully.

Reduce your debt. If you currently have a credit card, avoid carrying a balance on it. It is highly recommended that students satisfy any revolving debt (credit cards, personal lines of credit, home equity lines of credit, etc.) prior to beginning medical school. Revolving debts are not easy to manage and can increase your financial burden.

Borrow sensibly and responsibly. Only borrow what you need to cover your necessary expenses. You’ll realize the benefits after graduation when you have less debt.

Learn more about budgeting and financial management with the following resources:

Financial Resources & Info

National Student Loan Data System
NSLDS is the U.S. Department of Education’s central database for student aid, and provides a centralized, integrated view of Title IV loans and grants so recipients can access and inquire about their data.

Student Loan Management
Federal loans are assigned to a loan servicer by the U.S. Department of Education after the amount is first disbursed. The loan has been disbursed when University of Houston transfers loan money to a student’s school account. Loans are disbursed in at least two payments over an academic year, and loan servicers will contact you after the first disbursement is made to you. Contact information for federal loan servicers can be found on the Federal Student Aid site. Please contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine for additional assistance.

AAMC FIRST program
AAMC has produced the FIRST program (Financial Information, Resources, Services, and Tools) to provide unbiased, reliable guidance to assist students throughout their medical education.

Graduating, Repayment Strategies, PSLF
Fertitta College of Medicine withdrawals and graduates who borrow through the Direct Federal Loan programs are required to attend an in-person exit Interview with the Fertitta College of Medicine Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid to discuss graduation, loan repayment and borrower responsibilities as they transition out of medical school.

Fertitta College of Medicine withdrawals and graduates who do not borrow through the Direct Federal Loan programs are highly encouraged to meet with the College of Medicine Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid to discuss financial implications and readiness as they transition out of medical school.

We’re Here to Help
The Fertitta College of Medicine Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid is a resource for medical students, at every stage of their educational journey. Students can benefit from in-person consultations, webinars and more. Contact our office with financial questions at Uhcomfa@central.uh.edu.

Contact Information

Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine
Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
5055 Medical Circle, Suite 1500
Houston, TX 77204-6064
Uhcomfa@central.uh.edu
O: 713-743-6317