MD Tuition and Aid
Attending medical school is a substantial financial investment. The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health provides an outstanding medical education, and with one of the most cost-effective tuition rates in the United States, we ensure that all accepted medical students who are eligible for federal financial aid can afford the MD program and have awareness of additional financial wellness resources available.
Tuition, Fees and Estimated Cost of Living
A breakdown of current tuition and fees, estimated living expenses and additional costs is available on the Office of Student Financial Aid’s Cost of Attendance (COA) web page. Select “Medicine” in the COA breakdowns section for the most current estimates.
Financial Wellness
The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health is committed to the financial wellness of our students. We know that financing medical school can be challenging, and we have robust financial support programs to assist you. Whether it’s through one-on-one appointments or personal finance webinars, our Financial Aid and Wellness advisors want to make sure that you feel financially supported and knowledgeable.
Our Financial Aid and Wellness services include:
- One-on-one phone and virtual appointments
- Small group financial wellness advising sessions during your M1 year
- Year-round financial wellness webinars that highlight topics such as budgeting, building credit, student loan management and repayment, and investing for retirement
- Opportunities to meet with UW’s partner bank, UW Credit Union, to review your credit reports one-on-one with a professional
- Frequent email communication regarding personal finance events, updates, and advice
- Physician Financial Wellness elective for M4 students
- The course features guest speakers from different industries and it is consistently rated very highly by students
- Topics include: money and happiness, insurance, negotiations, student loan repayment, financial road-mapping, budgeting, and investing for retirement.
Loans
Student loans are administered through the Office of Student Financial Aid. All financial aid applicants must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA applications should be filed by March 1.
Loan Repayment Programs
Some programs will pay all or part of the loans incurred for medical training. Eligible students apply for these programs after completing residency. Below are some loan repayment programs to consider:
- Wisconsin Health Professions Loan Assistance program
- National Health Service Corps
- NIH Loan Repayment programs
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
Scholarships
UW School of Medicine and Public Health Scholarships
The medical school awards scholarships through a separate process from the UW–Madison Office of Student Financial Aid, which focuses on federal financial aid. All applicants for the regular MD and WARM programs are automatically considered for these scholarships after admission. There is no separate scholarship application to complete. The Admissions Scholarship Subcommittee meets throughout the admissions cycle, and most scholarships are awarded in late winter and early spring. Students who are awarded one of these scholarships will receive a notification letter from MD Admissions. Please note that these scholarships will not be included in financial aid packages from the UW–Madison Office of Student Financial Aid.
Students may apply for additional scholarships beginning in the spring semester of their M1 year. These are funded by generous donations from University of Wisconsin medical alumni, friends and family. Scholarship applications are reviewed and selected by the school’s Scholarship Committee based on donor intent. Some departments offer additional awards and may include a separate selection process specific to each department.
Additionally, the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation make loans and scholarships available to students after the first year. Unlike federal loans, the loans from these groups are interest-free during medical school.
Research Scholarships
Admitted MD-PhD students are provided with full tuition scholarships and living expenses stipends. To learn more about the MD-PhD program, please visit the Medical Scientist Training Program page.
Regular MD students may take advantage of other research opportunities after starting medical school. The Shapiro Summer Research Program funds student research completed during the summer after the M1 year. Students who wish to conduct a full year of research may qualify for UW–Madison funding or external funding.
Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise Program
The Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise program guarantees scholarships and grants to meet the full cost of in-state tuition and fees for Wisconsin residents who are enrolled members of federally recognized Wisconsin American Indian Tribes and are pursuing either a law or medical degree.
Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise Program
Military and Service Scholarships
The U.S. military and the National Health Service Corps offer scholarships to students willing to serve in the military or provide care in underserved areas, respectively. These scholarships often cover the full cost of tuition and require recipients to provide several years of service after completing medical training.
- National Health Service Corps
- U.S. Army Health Professions Scholarship program
- U.S. Navy Health Professions Scholarship program
Applicants who have served in the U.S. military may be eligible for funding from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, including funding up to the full amount of tuition. Wisconsin residents who are veterans may be eligible for funding from the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. All veterans should become familiar with their benefits.