Strategic Planning for Graduate & Professional Costs
The financing of professional and graduate education is a significant undertaking. For intensive medical programs like our Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND), federal aid eligibility varies based on a student’s program, remaining federal eligibility, and current federal regulations.
To successfully fund your degree, students whose educational expenses exceed available federal aid may wish to explore private educational loans through platforms like Fast Choice. Our financial aid advisors are ready to help you map this out.
Primary Funding Vehicles
1. Private & Alternative Student Loans (Fast Choice)
- For students whose educational expenses exceed available federal aid, private educational loans may be explored as one financing option.
- The Fast Choice Platform: We utilize Fast Choice to help you securely compare competitive private loan options, interest rates, and repayment terms from trusted lenders.
- Private loans require a credit check and may require a U.S. co-signer. Most are restricted to U.S. citizens and international students with a U.S. co-signer.
Action Step: We strongly encourage you to review your credit history at AnnualCreditReport.com before applying. Explore your private loan options on Fast Choice.
2. Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans
- Students do not need to demonstrate financial need to receive this loan, though you must complete the FAFSA.
- Interest accrues while you are enrolled. You can choose to let the interest capitalize, or make interest-only payments while in school.
- Maximum eligibility is determined under current federal regulations.
Important: Federal aggregate limits apply and are strictly capped by the Department of Education. It is the student's responsibility to track their borrowing limits across their program's length. Current interest rates and origination fees can be found at the Department of Education.
3. Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans
- Graduate PLUS eligibility and borrowing limits are subject to current federal law and Department of Education guidance. If you require additional federal funding, Graduate PLUS loans offer terms that allow you to defer payments while enrolled at least half-time.
- There is a credit check requirement for the Graduate PLUS loan.
- Graduate PLUS loans carry higher origination fees than standard Direct loans.
- Current rates are set each July 1st and can be found on the [Federal Student Aid site].
Grants, Work-Study & Additional Opportunities
Work-Study Program: We offer a variety of on-campus and off-campus jobs to help meet living costs. Graduate students can be considered for both federal and state (Washington residents) work-study programs. The average annual work-study award for nine months is $1,800. For more information, contact Jenny Zhang, Work Study Coordinator, at (425) 602-3046 or @email.
Special Programs: We encourage students to seek out financial aid programs sponsored by fraternal organizations or clubs in their home area. Alaska residents should inquire about the Alaska Student Loan Program. Canadian citizens can borrow under both the Canadian federal and provincial loan programs.
Financial Aid Resources
The financing of professional and graduate education in the United States is viewed primarily as the responsibility of the student. There are very few federal or state grant and scholarship programs designed for graduate students. There are a number of things, however, that prospective graduate students can do to help themselves prepare financially to meet their educational costs. These include:
- Reduce consumer debt. The financial aid budget does not provide sufficient funds for students to carry substantial consumer debt. If you have credit card debt or other consumer obligations, you will be much better off financially if you eliminate or reduce these obligations before you begin at Bastyr.
- Credit history. Check credit reports on the Annual Credit Report website and repair adverse credit history. Graduate PLUS and private student lenders review credit.
- Have some funding set aside for emergencies, if at all possible. If you have savings, work with the financial aid advising staff to determine how best to plan for the use of your funds in conjunction with available financial aid.
- The Federal Government has a website to assist students in managing their money. You can also get a "My Money" tool kit that has helpful tips on savings, investing and protecting your money.
- Check out our Outside Scholarship Search brochure to help identify possible outside scholarships that you may qualify to receive. Also check out our Scholarships page for good scholarship search websites.
- Information from the Department of Education on funding your education.
Entrance and Exit Counseling
You are required to complete an online entrance counseling session on the Federal Student Aid site prior to receiving any federal loans. We also strongly encourage you to complete entrance counseling for private loans, but it is not required. Exit counseling for federal loans is required within 30 days of your graduation date (either 30 days before or 30 days after). There is no exit counseling required for private loans. You may also, at any time, make an appointment with the financial aid office to discuss either federal or private loans.
Sample Award Letters
Once you have been admitted to Bastyr, you will receive an individualized award letter. However, below are “typical” award letters for planning purposes.
- Estimated Award Letter for First Year ND Students SUMMER START
- Estimated Award Letter for First Year ND Students FALL START
- Estimated Award Letter GRADUATE Students SUMMER START
- Estimated Award Letter GRADUATE Students FALL START
- Estimated Award Letter ACUPUNCTURE Students
To request the status of your application, or for questions, please contact us.
