The MS4 Guide to $0 Payments in Residency
The step-by-step playbook you (and your classmates) need to avoid costly student loan mistakes, lock in the lowest payments in residency, and maximize forgiveness.
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📖 What You’ll Learn:
The 3-step student loan game plan to start residency on the right foot
The exact deadlines you can’t afford to miss as you graduate and enter repayment
How to lock in $0 (or very low) payments for your first year of residency while earning PSLF credit
💡 You’ll Walk Away Knowing:
student loan basics
How federal student loans actually work, what triggers repayment, and why timing matters more than loan balance during training.
idr plans & eligibility
How Income-Driven Repayment works, which plans you’re eligible for (IBR, PAYE, RAP), and how income and family size affect your payment.
pslf & next steps
How to start your Public Service Loan Forgiveness clock early, keep it moving, and use a simple checklist to avoid costly mistakes as residency begins.
Michael Putterman, CFP®
👋 Hi, I’m Michael!
I work with medical students, residents, fellows, and early-career physicians who want to get their student loans right from the start.
I’m the Founder of Dream Bigger Financial, where I help physicians navigate student loans, PSLF, taxes, and the money decisions that hit fast during training and early practice.
I wrote this guide because too many smart, hardworking doctors end up paying more than they need to simply because no one explained the rules or the timing.
My goal is to help you avoid costly mistakes, lock in the lowest payment you’re legally allowed, and start residency feeling prepared instead of overwhelmed.
If this guide helped things finally click, you’re already ahead of the game.
👋 Hi, I’m Michael!
I work with medical students, residents, fellows, and early-career physicians who want to get their student loans right from the start.
I’m the Founder of Dream Bigger Financial, where I help physicians navigate student loans, PSLF, taxes, and the money decisions that hit fast during training and early practice.
I wrote this guide because too many smart, hardworking doctors end up paying more than they need to simply because no one explained the rules or the timing.
My goal is to help you avoid costly mistakes, lock in the lowest payment you’re legally allowed, and start residency feeling prepared instead of overwhelmed.
If this guide helped things finally click, you’re already ahead of the game.
Michael Putterman, CFP®
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