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Funding an MBA, JD, or MD works differently than a funded research PhD — there’s usually no stipend, and the sticker prices are high. The good news: merit scholarships, federal loans, and forgiveness programs can make it work. Here’s how the money actually comes together.
Rarely funded like a research PhD
Law (JD), medical (MD), and business (MBA) school usually don’t come with the tuition-waiver-plus-stipend deal that funded PhDs do. You’re generally expected to pay — through scholarships, savings, and loans.
Merit scholarships are the lever
Professional schools compete for strong applicants with merit money. A higher test score (LSAT/MCAT/GMAT) or GPA can move you into scholarship range — sometimes a full ride. Negotiating using a competing offer is common and expected.
Federal Grad PLUS loans cover the rest
Most professional students borrow federal Direct Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS loans up to the cost of attendance. There’s no subsidized option — interest runs from disbursement — so borrow deliberately, not the maximum offered.
Forgiveness and repayment programs
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) can wipe out remaining debt after 10 years of qualifying government/nonprofit work. Many law schools offer Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAPs) for graduates in lower-paid public-interest jobs.
Negotiate your scholarship — it’s normal
Professional schools expect applicants to compare offers. If a peer school offers you more merit money, many schools will consider matching or improving their package. A polite, specific ask with a competing offer in hand can be worth thousands.
ROI varies enormously by field and school — a funded scholarship at a strong program is very different from full-price borrowing at a low-ranked one.
For law and medicine especially, look at employment and salary outcomes by school, not averages across all schools.
Weigh the debt against realistic starting salaries in your specific path (BigLaw vs. public interest; specialty vs. primary care).
A signing bonus or employer sponsorship (common for some MBAs) can change the math entirely.
Without stipends, professional degrees can mean very large balances. Before committing, map your realistic post-graduation salary against the total you’d borrow, and check whether PSLF or an LRAP fits your career plans. A scholarship that cuts the debt, or a path that qualifies for forgiveness, can matter more than a school’s name.
Decide well: compare with research-degree funding, weigh whether it’s worth it, and plan loan repayment.