Your student loans.
Finally explained.
Residency is coming.
A few key moves now decide your payment and your PSLF timeline.
Get it right, and your payment can be $0 or much lower than you expect.
Your grace period is shorter than you think.
After graduation, you have a six-month grace period before your first payment is due.
You technically get six months, but most of the decisions that matter happen much earlier.
Most people don't get this wrong because they're careless. They get it wrong because no one explained the timing.
Most MS4s can start residency with a $0 payment.
If you set things up the right way, your income-driven payment during residency can start at zero.
Your exact number will depend on your income, family size, and repayment plan.
You need the right timing, the right tax return, and the right IDR plan.
The free guide walks you through every step. The loan analyzer below lets you run your actual numbers. If you are married, this can get more nuanced depending on how you file taxes and whether your spouse has loans too.
Here's what actually matters during that window:
Three deadlines that decide everything.
File your tax return
File your 2025 tax return, even if your income was $0. The goal is to file before April 15 so your payment is based on your student income, not your resident salary.
Reading this after April 15? You still have options. Get a return on file before you apply for an IDR plan.
Pick the right IDR plan
RAP, PAYE, IBR. The right one depends on when you borrowed, your income, and whether you are pursuing PSLF.
Enroll before your grace period ends
Get into your IDR plan before the six-month grace period ends. Once your payments start, every month counts toward PSLF.
Most people think this is complicated. The framework is simple.
The real opportunity is how you apply it to your income, taxes, and long-term PSLF strategy.
Hi, I'm Michael.
Early in my career, physicians vouched for me, introduced me to their colleagues, and welcomed me into the white coat community.
I saw firsthand how disconnected financial advice can be. Loans here. Taxes there. Investing somewhere else. But they all affect each other.
That's what I focus on. Making sure everything works together, not in pieces.
This page is free. No catch. It is the same advice I give paying clients in their first meeting.
Start here. This is the playbook.
to $0 Payments
See your numbers.
Upload your loan file and answer a few quick questions. You'll get a personalized snapshot of your payments, PSLF timeline, and repayment options.
Run the numbers, any way you want.
Simple tools to help you understand how each plan works and compare your options.
I work with physicians at every stage.
This page was built for MS4s, but the same strategy applies as your income grows. The numbers just change. Most people come for the student loans. They stay for everything else.
Learn More About Dream Bigger Financial
Free Strategy Session for MS4s
This pulls everything into one place. If it helped you, send it to someone who could use it.
Everything here is free. No catch.
Your student loans.
Finally explained.
Residency is coming.
A few key moves now decide your payment and your PSLF timeline.
Get it right, and your payment can be $0 or much lower than you expect.
Get the free guide →Your grace period is shorter than you think.
After graduation, you have a six-month grace period before your first payment is due.
You technically get six months, but most of the decisions that matter happen much earlier.
Most people don't get this wrong because they're careless. They get it wrong because no one explained the timing.
Most MS4s can start residency with a $0 payment.
Depending on your income and how you set things up.
If you set things up the right way, your income-driven payment during residency can start at zero.
Your exact number will depend on your income, family size, and repayment plan.
You need the right timing, the right tax return, and the right IDR plan.
The free guide walks you through every step. The loan analyzer below lets you run your actual numbers. If you are married, this can get more nuanced depending on how you file taxes and whether your spouse has loans too.
Here's what actually matters during that window:
Three deadlines that decide everything.
Most people think this is complicated. The framework is simple. The real opportunity is how you apply it to your income, taxes, and long-term PSLF strategy.
This is how you set it up. What happens after is where the strategy matters.
Hi, I'm Michael.
Early in my career, physicians vouched for me, introduced me to their colleagues, and welcomed me into the white coat community.
I saw firsthand how disconnected financial advice can be. Loans here. Taxes there. Investing somewhere else. But they all affect each other.
That's what I focus on. Making sure everything works together, not in pieces.
This page is free. No catch. It is the same advice I give paying clients in their first meeting.
Start here. This is the playbook.
to $0 Payments
No email required. Written by a CFP® professional who only works with physicians.
See your numbers.
Upload your loan file and answer a few quick questions. You will get a personalized snapshot of your payments, PSLF timeline, and repayment options.
Not ready? Keep swiping. We have calculators for every step.
Run the numbers, any way you want.
Simple tools to help you understand how each plan works and compare your options.
Want a real set of eyes on it?
Each week, I offer a few free one-on-one strategy sessions to MS4s on my newsletter. First come, first served. Details are in the newsletter.
Use a personal email, not your school one, so you don't miss updates after graduation. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
I work with physicians at every stage.
This page was built for MS4s, but the same strategy applies as your income grows. The numbers just change. Most people come for the student loans. They stay for everything else.
Learn More About Dream Bigger Financial
Free Strategy Session for MS4s
Everything here is free. No catch.