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FIRST Facts are short, informational sheets on a variety of financial aid related topics. Facts are designed to reduce often confusing or complex topics to the basics. For more information regarding FIRST Facts topics or elsewhere on this site, contact first@aamc.org, or consult your financial aid officer or the financial aid office at your institution.

The following documents are all in PDF format.

Students and Applicants

• The Cost of Applying to Medical School
  
  
• The Financial Aid Application Process
  
  
• Medical School Costs for Non-Traditional Students
  
  
• Official AAMC Guide Books for Applicants
  
  
• Debt Management Relies on Good Record Keeping
  
  
• Grad PLUS Loans 101
  
  
• Stafford Loans 101
  
  
• The Cost of Applying for a Medical Residency
  
  
• Unforeseen Emergencies and Financial Needs: What to do?
  
  
• Choosing a Specialty: A Critical Career Decision
  
  
• Taking a Break From Your Medical Education
  
  
• Easing into Residency: Transition Tips
  
  
• Post Baccalaureate Premedical Programs
  

Residents

• Residency & Relocation Loans - To Borrow or Not to Borrow
  
  
• Getting Married During Medical School or Residency
  

Pre-Health Advisors

The Cost of Applying to Medical School

Financial Aid Officers

• Entrance Counseling: Requirements and Recommendations for FAOs
  
  
• Exit Counseling: Requirements and Recommendations for FAOs
  
  
• Professional Judgment Revisited: Resources for FAOs
  
  
• Facts for the First Day: Welcome to Medical School
  Editable form for FAOs to enter school-specific information .View a sample completed form.
  
  
• Facts for the Last Day: Farewell to Medical School
  Editable form for FAOs to enter school-specific information. View a sample completed form.
  
  
• Financial Aid Officer Handbook
  
  
• AAMC Data Resources
  

Budgeting

• Budgeting Basics: Managing Your Money During the Lean Years
  
  
• Interactive Budget Worksheet
  
  
• Steps for Making a Big Purchase
  

Credit

• Borrowing 101: An Introduction to the World of Credit
  
  
• Credit Card Debt
  
  
• Protect Against Identity Theft
  
  
• Your Credit Report: Getting Familiar with the Basics
  
  
• Your Credit Score: What It Is and Why It Matters
  

Repayment

• Commissioned Corps and U.S. Civil Service Scholarship and Loan Repayment Options
  
  
• Loan Forgiveness for Public Service
  
  
• Loan Repayment Choices
  
  
• Income-Based Repayment
  
  
• Consolidating Your Loans
  
  
• Education Tax Incentives