DARTMOUTH MEDICAL SCHOOL
STUDENT EXPENSE BUDGET 2008-2009

PLEASE NOTE:
Dartmouth will, on a case-by-case basis, make adjustments to the student budget when appropriate in certain circumstances with required documentation. If a student incurs additional educational expenses, which exceed the amount allocated in the budget, he/she should discuss this with the Financial Aid Officer.

Summer Earning Expectation:
Students entering the Year 1 class are expected to contribute $2,000 of income (in addition to relocation expenses) earned during the summer preceding Year 1. Please note the Year 1 budget is 10 months and students should plan to bring their summer earnings for educational costs at DMS when they matriculate in August. Students entering Year 2, 3, and 4 are expected to contribute $800.

Year 1 & 2 Students:
The rent figure of $7,000 includes utilities based upon a 10-month budget, September through June.

Travel Home:
Travel allowance will be made for one round trip home at standard air fares, assuming use of supersaver fares when possible. Please note that federal regulations do not permit us to include travel expenses for spouses.

Books:
Budget figures reflect average book purchases in each class. Students whose necessary book purchases go beyond this level may seek a budget adjustment through the Financial Aid Office and borrow additional DELC/Unsub Stafford within reasonable limits.

Computer & PDA:
Students who need additional funds for a computer should discuss the expense with their Financial Aid Officer. Each request will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Sources to Consider and Utility Plans:
When searching for housing, students should consider the source of heat. Electricity bills will increase substantially during the Winter months when you heat with electricity, whereas oil and gas prices remain more constant throughout the year. Students making arrangements for delivery from local oil, gas, and electric companies are urged to request a budget plan in order to spread heating costs over the number of months in the academic year. Failure to do so may cause financial difficulty during the winter term. Some companies will allow customers to pre-purchase fuel for the entire year during the Summer months when it is least expensive. Also, local utility companies may provide assistance to customers who qualify by reducing the amount you owe on electric, fuel and telephone bills. If you qualify, discounts can range from 30% to 90%. Access to individual utility companies is available at http://www.local.com. Under "What?" type utilities, and under "Where?" type Hanover, NH. Additional program information is available at http://www.nationalgridus.com/granitestate/.

Clinical Clerkships, Electives, USLME, On Doctoring and Local Transportation:
Supplementary DELC/Unsub Stafford loans will be approved for students who live at a distance from the Medical School and find this assistance necessary and/or for students who incur travel expenses in excess of the amount already included in the travel budget for reaching clinical clerkships and electives. The amount approved will be based on mileage at a rate of 50.5 cents per mile.

Health Insurance:
DMS students who want to purchase health insurance for their spouse and/or children may borrow additional DELC/Unsub Stafford funds to cover this expense.

Child Care:
Students with children may incur additional expenses beyond the limits of the student budget. As a starting point for discussion purposes, $2,000 per child for living expenses and $2,000 per child for day care (when necessary) may be added to the budget. Because of the variability of expenses in this area, dictated both by age of the child and the type of day care available and/or preferred by the parent, students are encouraged to speak with the Financial Aid Director.

Updated 3/17/2008.

Return to the DMS School Financial Aid