Blog

By Mary-Lynn Bender, AACOM Director of Congressional and Public Affairs

The effort to protect and preserve the federal Graduate PLUS Loan Program is gaining traction. Impassioned support from advocates across the country is amplifying the #SaveGradPLUS movement to help ensure that graduate and professional students don’t lose access to the federal loans that enable them to finance the full cost of their educatio

By Pamela Murphy, AACOM Senior Vice President of Government Relations

The diligent work of each of our advocates over the past year has been a true inspiration, and of the many advocates that helped spread the ED to MED message, one student’s notable efforts stood out. We are pleased to honor Farrah Rink, the 2018 ED to MED Outstanding Advocate of the Year!

By Sam Urick, DO, St. Clair Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton Campus Graduate

Osteopathic medical students cannot undertake the fight to Save PSLF and Grad PLUS alone. As DOs we vow to first do no harm, and that extends to financial harm. We have a duty to advocate alongside those who will follow in our footsteps. I would hate for my daughters to be dissuaded from pursuing a career in medicine because of insurmountable debt.

By Jamie Shawver, OMS-III, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, COSGP National Legislative Representative

I wish I could go to school, become a doctor, and not have to worry about what kind of loans I have, or keep track of market interest rates. I’m thankful that my tuition and costs are covered by federal loans, but it feels temporary when I know a year from now, hundreds of thousands of graduate students may not be able to say the same.

By Pamela Murphy, MSW, AACOM Senior Vice President of Government Relations

Over the past few months, ED to MED advocates have mobilized in support of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, but PSLF isn’t the only loan program under threat. Grad PLUS loans are also at risk, and we need your help to protect them today.

By Mary-Lynn Bender, AACOM Director of Congressional and Public Affairs

Owais Durrani, OMS-IV, got involved in advocacy from a young age. Learn how he remained engaged in policy and politics throughout medical school, and his advice for making advocacy a lifelong commitment.

By Mary-Lynn Bender, AACOM Director of Congressional and Public Affairs

Being an effective advocate for your financial future requires financial literacy. ED to MED advocates can utilize AACOM’s 2018 financial aid modules to inform their spending and borrowing practices.

By Mary-Lynn Bender, AACOM Director of Congressional and Public Affairs

Our annual Town Hall will highlight ED to MED’s national partners, our collaborative advocacy work around the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, and the impact of graduate student loan debt on the future health care workforce.

By Mary-Lynn Bender, AACOM Director of Congressional and Public Affairs

Our student advocates have accomplished so much, but we must continue to raise the profile of graduate student debt issues in the halls of Congress. As HEA reauthorization continues, we must work consistently to advance ED to MED’s message on behalf of the future health care workforce.

By Mary-Lynn Bender, AACOM Director of Congressional and Public Affairs

What makes an advocate outstanding? Here are the top three factors we consider before naming the ED to MED Outstanding Advocate of the Year.