Uniting to Save Grad PLUS

ED to MED stands with its 18 national partners and other allied groups in support of the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan Program.

What Is Grad PLUS?

Grad PLUS loans are federal Direct PLUS Loans that help graduate and professional students finance the full cost of their education. Grad PLUS loans are not capped, covering the total cost of attendance, minus any other financial aid received, and can be used to pay for tuition, textbooks, room and board, and other important living expenses. Grad PLUS loans are managed by the U.S. Department of Education.

Why Save Grad PLUS?

Capping the amount of federal financial aid graduate students can borrow would have devastating effects on graduate student debt and decrease the diversity of the future physician workforce, to the detriment of patient health.

Did You Know?

• Sixty-seven percent of osteopathic medical students graduating in the 2018 – 2019 academic year relied on Grad PLUS loans.*
• Forty-eight percent of medical students received Grad PLUS loans in academic year 2015 – 2016.
• Graduate student loan borrowers typically have much lower rates of default on their Grad PLUS loans (2%) compared to other types of student borrowers.

*Source: 2018-2019 Preliminary AACOM Graduating Seniors Summary Report (forthcoming)

What Can You Do?

Urge Congress to #SaveGradPLUS in the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act!