The Primary Care Loan program provides long-term, low interest rate loans to full-time, financially needy students. Amongst other general criteria students must demonstrate financial need and provide financial information about their parents. Independent students 24 years and older may be exempt from providing parental information if they can provide documentation showing they have been independent for a minimum of three years.
Medical students receiving a Primary Care Loan must agree to:
- Enter a residency training program in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, combined medicine/pediatrics, preventive medicine or osteopathic general practice and complete the residency program within four years of graduation.
- Practice primary care for either 10 years or through the date on which the loan is repaid in full, whichever occurs first.
If you are not firmly committed to the practice of primary health care, you should not apply for a Primary Care Loan; there are penalty costs for not meeting the service requirements.
| Loan Type | Primary Care Loan (PCL) |
|---|---|
| Annual Maximum | Not to exceed annual cost of attendance minus other aid up to financial need. |
| Interest | Fixed 5 percent deferred while enrolled full time in MD program, during grace period and qualifying post MD graduate periods. |
| Grace Period | 12 months after dropping to less than half-time, withdraw or graduate |
| Loan Fees | None |
| Repayment Period | 10 years, generally |
| Service Commitment |
Practice in qualifying primary care specialty for 10 years or till loan is repaid, whichever comes first. Years in primary care residency count toward commitment. |