Student debt can affect career plans

Since she was in high school, Becca Mueller, M4, has had one goal: to become a doctor so she could help underprivileged children and their families, in the inner-city United States or internationally. She has prepared by completing her undergraduate work in three years and a master’s degree in public health between her second and third years of medical school.

"I’m passionate about pediatrics, and about working with the underserved," Mueller said. "My parents inspired me to work with people who are disadvantaged. I’d love to eventually run a community center for inner-city youth, or work internationally with orphaned children."

As she nears residency, however, which is also the point when she must start paying back her loans, she is becoming anxious that her goal will have to be delayed because of money.

"I’ve taken out as much money as Stafford allows," she said, referring to the Stafford Federal Student Loan Program. "I figure I will have about $170,000 in debt when I graduate. The amount of debt you have dramatically affects your ability to do humanitarian work, so it could have a direct impact on how quickly I’m able to do the work I’m setting out to do." Mueller isn’t alone. Ninety percent of medical students graduate with debt. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the average medical student’s educational debt in 2006 was $130,571, and 72 percent of graduates have debt of at least $100,000.

Members of the Linder family pose with Linder Family Scholarship recipient Becca Mueller, M4 (L-R):Reas E. Linder, UI engineering student; Jean M. Linder, MD (’75 BS, ’78 MD); Jo Ellen Linder, MD (’77 BS, ’81 MD); Mueller; Enfred E. Linder, MD (’51 MD); David K. Linder (’80 BGS, ’82 MA)

"The biggest impact this has is on the social contract," said Cathy Solow, UI CCOM assistant dean for student affairs and curriculum. "You want students to have a choice of how and where to practice, and you don’t want that choice to be based on debt. It should be based on how they feel they can best serve society."

Financial issues affect students’ specialty choices, graduate training and career decisions. Some choose their specialties with their debt looming in mind, while others forgo fellowship training so they can repay loans faster.

"There are lots of people who initially set out to do humanitarian work, and the number one reason they don’t do it right away is to pay off their debt, and then many times, it just doesn’t happen," Mueller said. "It would be really sad if I had to make a career choice based on my ability to pay off my debt. It would devastate me."

Meanwhile, she and her husband, Aaron, try to do their best to accumulate the least amount of debt possible. Aaron works full time to pay the mortgage and the utilities, and has delayed his own education until Mueller is done with training. Mueller has applied for federal HealthCorps money but was denied—funding for the program has been cut and not as many students are finding help there. In addition to her loans, she has received about $10,000 in scholarships. One of those scholarships is the Linder Family Scholarship, a $2,500 award given in honor of Dr. Enfred Linder (’51 MD) to a student interested in primary care. While $2,500 may not seem like a lot compared to a debt of $170,000, Mueller is grateful.

"This $2,500 may mean that I can start doing the work I want to do one or two months earlier than I would have," she said. "It is significant."

In 2006- 2007, the average UI medical student could expect to receive about $2,621 per year in scholarships. The College—and its students—would like that number to increase. Most scholarship funds come from alumni who want to help students succeed. Anyone interested in creating a scholarship has numerous ways to do so, including through estate gifts, annual giving, stock gifts and other options that can be coordinated with the UI Foundation. For further information about how you can help, visit the UI Foundation Web site or call (319) 335-3305 or (800) 648-6973.

Mueller said she sees scholarships as an especially meaningful way to leave a legacy.

"Helping move the hands of people who are inspired to do good for other people is pretty astounding," she said. "The life that is in that investment is amazing."