Clarity is Confidence:
Building the Discussion and Resources around Student Debt
Upcoming Webinar: How to Budget for Medical School
Monday, March 16, 2026
7:00-7:30pm CT
You’re thinking about becoming a doctor — but how much will medical school actually cost?
Medical school is one of the biggest financial investments you will ever make. In this 30-minute webinar, financial aid expert Kristin Mootz from the Medical College of Wisconsin explains how students can realistically prepare, budget, and borrow wisely before entering medical school.
We will walk through the full financial timeline and the major cost categories students often underestimate, including tuition and fees, housing and living expenses, health insurance, exam costs, travel, and clinical rotations.
You’ll also learn practical borrowing strategies, the difference between federal and private student loans, and how to avoid common mistakes that lead to repayment stress after graduation.
You will learn:
• How much you may need to borrow each year
• How to budget housing, transportation, and food
• How to plan for board exams, interviews, and rotations
• What you can do now to reduce long-term repayment stress
• Smart borrowing basics before you sign a loan
This webinar is ideal for:
Pre-med students, college students, parents, and anyone planning for medical school.
The webinar will be broadcast on Facebook Live, where you can also submit your questions.
Need Help Completing Your FAFSA?
Join College Goal Wisconsin for free virtual FAFSA help sessions! Expert volunteers will guide you step-by-step, answer your questions, and make sure your FAFSA is complete.
📅 Date & Time:
Wednesday, April 15 | 6:00–7:00pm CST
Don’t wait—reserve your spot today!
Click here to register & see full event details
We are a statewide nonprofit organization committed to helping students minimize student loan debt and borrowers avoid unmanageable student loan debt.
DebtSmarts gives you strategies for keeping your college costs low and staying on top of your student loans.
Do you have student loan questions? Call or email us for free, confidential guidance
We’ll respond to your email within one business day.
You’ll talk to a trained student loan specialist with no wait times.
(833)-589-0750 (Helpline)
/ (608)-980-9620 (Main Number)
〰️
Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30 Central
〰️
StudentLoanQuestions@debtsmarts.org
〰️
(833)-589-0750 (Helpline) / (608)-980-9620 (Main Number) 〰️ Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30 Central 〰️ StudentLoanQuestions@debtsmarts.org 〰️
Who We Help
We help Wisconsinites before, during and after college. DebtSmarts has resources to minimize what you pay for college: scholarships, 529 tips, FAFSA help. If you’re in college, we help with budgets, understanding your financial aid offers and knowing what—and whether— to borrow. After school, DebtSmarts provides tips for finding loan repayment assistance, getting in the right student loan repayment plans, and qualifying for loan forgiveness.
Whether you’re just starting to think about college, you’re currently enrolled, or you’re juggling student loan payments with work or family responsibilities, DebtSmarts is here to help you navigate this confusing landscape.
Our resources are carefully reviewed and made available to all Wisconsin residents free of charge; this is not sponsored content.
Before College
FAFSACSS-ProfileEdvest 529Scholarships
During College
BudgetingInternshipsCollege ROIScholarships
Loan assistance plansEmployer loan helpFinancing grad schoolPSLF & Loan Forgiveness
After College
Focused Resources
DebtSmarts recognizes that students and borrowers face unique situations.
VETERANS
Education and training benefits for military-connected families. Considerations when accessing your GI Bill. How to contact your campus veteran liaison.
PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS
Learn more about Public Service Loan Forgiveness for teachers and other public service professions.
PARENTS
9.4 million Americans in their 50s still have student loans, including those for their child's college education.
Our Coalition Partners
The Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt works with our coalition partners to advance one common agenda: helping Wisconsin residents become student debt smart and financially stable. Coalition members receive no financial benefit from their work to advance our mission.
