Federal Student Loan
Apply with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year you are in school. The school will use the FAFSA data to determine your federal aid eligibility.
MD Tuition and Financial Aid
California University of Science and Medicine
Financial Aid
“Cost of attendance is tailored to each student’s enrollment phase. Beyond tuition, our budget estimates are refreshed every year to stay current with inflation and cost-of-living shifts. We calculate these figures using official benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, the College Board, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, following federal Department of Education standards.”
The cost of attendance components are as follows:
- Tuition and fees
- Books and supplies
- Living expenses (housing and food)
- Transportation
- Miscellaneous personal expenses
- Other fees as determined by the program and phase
Student Budgets
Cost of Attendance
Student Budget: Medical School Year 1 and 2
| First-Year Medical Students | |
|---|---|
| July 20, 2026–TBA | |
| Tuition & Fees | $76,600 |
| Rent & Food | $27,620 |
| Transportation | $3,500 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,500 |
| Federal Loan Origination Fee | $400 |
| Total | $111,620 |
| Second-Year Medical Students | |
|---|---|
| July 20, 2026–TBA | |
| Tuition & Fees | $76,600 |
| Rent & Food | $30,382 |
| Transportation | $3,500 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,500 |
| Federal Loan Origination Fee | $400 |
| Testing Costs* | *See FA for details |
| Total | $114,382 |
Student Budget: Medical School Year 3 and 4
| Third-Year Medical Students | |
|---|---|
| July 01, 2026–TBA | |
| Tuition & Fees | $76,600 |
| Rent & Food | $33,144 |
| Transportation | $3,500 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,500 |
| Federal Loan Origination Fee | $400 |
| Testing Costs* | *See FA for details |
| Total | $117,344 |
| Fourth-Year Medical Students | |
|---|---|
| July 01, 2026–TBA | |
| Tuition & Fees | $76,800 |
| Rent & Food | $30,382 |
| Transportation | $3,500 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,500 |
| Federal Loan Origination Fee | $400 |
| Traveling Costs* | *See FA for details |
| Total | $114,582 |
*** Please Note: M4 current COA shown does not include Traveling/Lodge Expenses for
Hospital Rotations or expenses related to Residency Interviews. ***
As of 02/02/2026
Aid Options
Types of Financial Aid Available
Private Loans
Private student loans are credit-based funding made by private organizations such as banks, credit unions, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations, and have terms and conditions that the lender sets.
Selecting a Private Loan Lender
CUSM does not have a preferred lender list, and it doesn’t recommend any lender. Students have the choice to select any lender of their preference. Contact the Office of Financial Aid to discuss funding options before securing a private loan.
External Scholarships
Scholarships help students pay for educational expenses without repayment. See the following resources for more information.
Applying for Financial Aid
FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The FAFSA determines eligibility for federal student loans and requires applicants to be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens
- Learn how to apply here.
- Parent information is not required.
- The application is required annually.
** Note: Medical students are only eligible for a direct unsubsidized loan, with an annual
borrowing limit of $50,000.00. Learn more about this loan type.
For more information about FAFSA, visit the Federal Student Aid website.
Private Loans
Private Loan Lenders
CUSM uses FastChoice as a hub to assist students in locating various lenders on one site. CUSM does not have any preferred lenders; all lenders will have different approval criteria and questions will be handled by the lender.
- Link to apply: FastChoice | Home
- Private Loan Entrance Counseling is a required form once a loan is approved.
Financial Literacy and Debt Management
Financial Wellness Program
Students with an AAMC account receive free access to a variety of financial resources to help manage their finances during medical school and beyond.
Loan Organizer and Calculator
The MedLoans® Organizer and Calculator (MLOC) is a secure platform for medical students and residents to organize and track student loans
Videos and Webinars
The Financial Information Resources, Services, and Tools (FIRST) program offers videos and webinars on financing medical school tuition and costs.
Other Resources
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) provides a comprehensive financial wellness program with resources supporting medical students from their first year through residency.
