Pikeville College - School of Osteopathic Medicine

General Information

Medical education is expensive. The average osteopathic physician is $100,000 in debt by the time he/she graduates from a school of osteopathic medicine. During schooling, most students are required to live at a modest level. The primary obligation for financing a medical education lies with the student, the student’s parents and/or the student’s spouse. The federal and private agencies that make funds available for borrowing do so with the understanding that a student must sacrifice in order to achieve a medical degree.

Every student that has been accepted by PCSOM must file the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) with the appropriate federal processor to assess aid eligibility. The needs analysis system set by the federal government ensures equity of treatment among all applicants. The College uses this needs analysis system to determine the amount of need-based financial assistance, loan amounts, and scholarship awards for which a student is eligible. Every student must also file a PCSOM Financial Aid Form. New students must have Financial Aid Transcripts sent from all previously attended colleges (whether or not financial aid was received). Students may file loan applications and check the status of those loans (with help from the Financial Aid Office).

Financial aid as awarded or borrowed under the federal or private programs cannot exceed the PCSOM standardized budget. There is money available for a student’s direct educational cost, and there is money available to support a student while he or she receives an education, but the student must be frugal and a good money manager to make it work comfortably. Students must carefully monitor their budgets.