College of Dentistry | University of Florida

Advanced and Graduate Education Students

 

Financial Aid

Graduate Budgets

Each year, the University of Florida Student Financial Affairs OfficeOpens in a new window establishes a budget for graduate and postgraduate students.

Fees

In addition to tuition, some programs are required to purchase instruments. In 2006-2007, students were budgeted the following amounts for purchasing instruments:

  • Endodontics: $37,883.00
  • Orthodontics - $ 4,190.00
  • Periodontics - $6,350.00
  • Prosthodontics - $7,824.00

Newsletter

We want to keep you informed of financial aid frequently asked questions and recent developments in the funding world. Periodicially the college will distribute a newsletter addressing these issues.

The American Council on Education has published a new guide to federal financial aid programs, "What Every Student Should Know About Federal Aid."

Although designed for college students as the primary target audience, it contains information applicable to dental and allied dental students as well.

This new publication explains the basics of financial aid, with an overview of the major federal student aid programs, tax benefits available to students and families, and sample financial aid packages. It is an excellent guide for anyone looking for a plain language tutorial on most forms of federal aid. Additional sources of additional financial aid that may be available to students in the health professions are not necessarily addressed in this document.

Deferments

Advanced education students (graduate students, residents, and fellows) are eligible to defer student loans during their postdoctoral dental training period. The Office of Education serves as a liaison between you and your respective financial institutions for processing of these loan deferments. For additional information, please direct inquiries to Assistant Dean of Advanced & Graduate Education, University of Florida College of Dentistry, PO Box 100407, Gainesville, FL 32610-0407, 352.392.2949.

For further information on loan deferments, check out the ADEA Dental Residency Deferment fact sheetPDF[49K].

Procedure for filing loan deferments

Obtain an In-school Deferment form from your lending financial institutions. Complete, sign, and forward to the Office of Education, Advanced & Graduate Education, PO Box 100407, Gainesville, FL 32610-0407 or drop off in Room D3-11 for processing. A copy is kept in your academic record in the event documentation is needed. The two most frequently used lenders are Sallie MaeOpens in a new window and Direct Loans Services.Opens in a new window Information about deferments can be found on their web sites.

Loan Consolidations

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions pertaining to loan consolidations.

What is loan consolidation and what are the benefits of consolidating?
Loan consolidation is the process of paying off or “refinancing” several loans with one new loan. Many students consolidate for convenience. Students that have borrowed from multiple loan servicers find it much easier to deal with and make payment to one loan servicer. Often times, consolidation also allows students to capture a lower fixed interest rate on their loans. The lower fixed rate reduces both monthly payments and the total repayment amount.
Who should I contact regarding consolidation?
Most banks will be willing to consolidate your student loans. One of the keys to successful consolidation is understanding the terms and conditions of the new loan and being aware of the benefits that you stand to gain by consolidating through a particular lender.

For more information regarding consolidation, visit the Direct Loans FAQ siteOpens in a new window or try Educational Debt Management Services for Residents.Opens in a new window

Funding Links

There are many resources available for financial assistance. Included here are a few for your investigation.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a Renewal FAFSA and return it to the federal processor as soon as possible AFTER January 1. A FAFSA must be completed each year to be considered for federal funds.

You may prefer to apply online by using FAFSA on the Web.Opens in a new window We strongly encourage this method of applying since it is faster and generally more accurate because the online version has built-in edits. Apply for financial aid at the same time, or even before, you apply for admissions.

Florida Dental Association (FDA) Loan

The Florida Dental AssociationOpens in a new window sponsors a loan programOpens in a new window for qualified Florida residents. Applications for post-doctoral loans will be considered only after all undergraduate loan applications have been reviewed. Loans may not exceed $15,000 per applicant, or $5,000 per year. For information contact: Chairman, Task Group on Student Loans, Florida Dental Association, 1111 E. Tennessee Street, Suite 102, Tallahassee, FL 32308-6914, telephone 1.800.877.9922.

Veterans' Benefits

The advanced education graduate and residency programs have been approved for veterans' benefits. Visit the UF Department of Veterans Affairs web siteOpens in a new window for more information.

UF Funding Opportunities Resource Pages

Private Funding Opportunities Resource Pages

Listed below are private lenders for those interested in finding loan funds to cover the difference between cost of attendance and the maximum Stafford loan amount. Please remember that even private educational loans cannot exceed the amount that the school says it costs to attend.

Additional Financial Aid Links

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