Office of Student Financial Aid & Debt Management Newsletter - October 2026

Fall bills were due September 28th. Any outstanding balance after this date will accrue a late payment fee of 1.5% each month. Be sure to review your student account often.
Complete the 2026-27 FAFSA form to receive financial aid for the current academic year.
Financial Aid Notifications are now available on your UIC Portal. You can accept, decline, or modify the amount of Federal Student Loans that have been offered.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3) introduced new federal loan limits beginning with this academic year. Visit our OB3 webpage to review the implications.
Students registered in fewer than 9 credit hours in a term are subject to prorated (reduced) federal loan eligibility
Before applying for a private loan, review our Private Loan Guidance webpage to understand options and navigate the ELM Select private lender platform.

AAMC- Considering Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and To-Do's for Financial Success
Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 1:00 PM CST
Register Here
During this webinar, Emma Crawford, CFP®, discusses the requirements and qualifications for PSLF and how to begin making qualifying payments as quickly as possible after graduating from medical school. She will also touch on some important items and ideas on how to be financially successful as a student and resident. Don’t miss this informative webinar!

AAMC 2026-27 FIRST Webinar Series
Here you will find the schedule for the AAMC 2026-27 FIRST Webinar Series where students can register and take advantage of the numerous talks on topics geared to help throughout medical school.

Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Medical Diversity Scholarship Program
Deadline: October 1, 2026
Offers minority medical students who work hard to promote ethnic diversity in their communities, a scholarship to reduce their educational expenses. Applicants must have completed at least one semester of medical school.

Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans
Deadline: October 29, 2026, at 1:00 pm CST
The program honors the contributions of immigrants and children of immigrants to the United States. Each year, they invest in the graduate education of 30 New Americans—immigrants and children of immigrants—who are poised to make significant contributions to US society, culture, or their academic field.

Kaiser Permanente Northern California Medical Student Scholarship
Deadline: November 30, 2026
Available to third-year medical students in good academic standing who are interested in seeking a residency at Kaiser Permanente Northern California. Recognizes the commitment of students who demonstrate exceptional dedication to underserved communities. This award not only celebrates students’ passion and dedication to impactful care but also helps support their journey as they work to create healthier and more equitable communities.

Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)
Rolling Deadline
HPSP offers prospective military physicians (MD/DO) a paid professional education in exchange for service as a commissioned non-line or special branch officer. Visit the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs web pages to learn more about these great opportunities!

We encourage students to explore institutional and external funding opportunities.

Small Savings Add Up!

Medical school expenses can add up quickly, but small changes to your everyday spending can make a difference. This month, try the “Find Your Easy Savings” challenge:

Take a look at your spending and identify 2–3 areas where you can cut back without sacrificing the things you need.

Coffee & snacks: Limit daily convenience purchases.
Dining out: Plan meals and reduce takeout or delivery.
Subscriptions: Review recurring charges and cancel services you rarely use.
Impulse purchases: Try the 24-hour rule before buying something you don't need.
Transportation: Carpool, combine errands, or use campus transportation when available.

Remember: You don't have to make major changes to make a difference. Saving even $10–$20 a week can add up over the course of a semester.

Challenge: Choose one expense to reduce this month and put the money you save toward an upcoming school or personal expense.

Which office typically handles student refunds and UI Pay account questions?

A. Financial Aid
B. Bursar
C. Admissions
D. Registrar

*Submit your answer to medicinefinaid@uic.edu for a chance to win UIC swag. Students must be registered for the current term to win. The answer and winner will be disclosed in next month's newsletter.

Previous Question:

If you’re using the 50/30/20 budgeting approach, what percentage of your income is recommended for savings and financial goals?

A. 10%
B. 20%
C. 30%
D. 50%

Answer: B. 20%

Thank you to the students who responded to the September Trivia question.
** Congratulations to Rebecca Azir, the September trivia winner!!

The Financial Aid and Debt Management team is here to support students in any way possible. We can assist with your budgeting needs, loan navigation, and financial aid understanding. Join our Slack channel (#announcements-financialaid) for the latest updates. Please do not hesitate to contact us at medicinefinaid@uic.edu for assistance!

CMET 163 | 808 South Wood Street | Chicago, IL 60612
www.medicine.uic.edu
www.medicine.uic.edu/students/financial-aid/

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Fall 2026 Reminders

Upcoming Webinars and Resources

Scholarship and Professional Development Opportunities

Budgeting Tip

Financial Trivia