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In the Loop - School of Medicine - Wayne State University

Welcome to In the Loop

Welcome to the In the Loop newsletter, an initiative of the Wayne State University School of Medicine’s Office of Assessment, Accreditation and Continuous Quality Improvement.

As a champion of continuous quality improvement, your medical school has benefited greatly from the feedback of students and other stakeholders the last several years. This feedback has been instrumental in driving positive change.

In the Loop aims to keep you informed about these important updates and changes, and the successes we’ve achieved together.

This month’s issue highlights financial aid, debt management and overall financial wellness resources in the School of Medicine and across the Wayne State campus.

Office of Scholarships, Debt Management and Financial Wellness

Kelli Wright and Greg Stoloarski

Kelli Wright and Greg Stoloarski

Established in February 2023, the School of Medicine’s full-service Office of Scholarships, Debt Management and Financial Wellness plays a crucial role in supporting student financial well-being throughout the medical school journey. Led by Gregory Stolarski and Kelli Wright, the office has demonstrably improved student preparedness and financial literacy.

Key achievements include:

  • Enhanced financial literacy and new financial intervention planning: 94% (287 students) of the incoming Class of 2027 participated in one-on-one financial wellness and budgeting sessions, gaining valuable knowledge before starting medical school. Financial plans were developed in the financial wellness and budgeting sessions.
  • Ongoing support: The office continues to meet with students, exceeding 150 consultations to date, addressing financial wellness questions and specific needs.
  • Proactive problem solving: More than 300 students received assistance resolving disbursement issues and financial holds, ensuring timely access to financial aid. All M.D. students received proactive outreach and communication regarding financial aid packages, required next steps, timelines, and important dates to ensure readiness and timely access for the new academic year. Additional follow-up and assistance were provided to more than 300 students to resolve disbursement issues and financial holds.
  • Informative workshops: 26 events were conducted, covering financial wellness, budgeting, scholarships, loan forgiveness programs, physician home loan options and student loan repayment strategies. Topics were based on student recommendations, demonstrating a commitment to addressing evolving needs.
  • Scholarship distribution: During the 2023-2024 academic year, a remarkable $8,736,494 in need-based, merit-based and endowed scholarships were awarded to 1,282 students, an average award of $6,815. This highlights the office’s dedication to securing financial support for students.
  • Transition to residency preparation: 259 graduating students of the Class of 2024 benefited from one-on-one financial wellness meetings, focusing on budgeting, available resources and effective loan repayment strategies, as they prepare for residency. WSU and the AAMC partnered together to provide the "Repayment Strategies for Graduating Medical Students" financial wellness program for the Class of 2024 with one-on-one meetings available with AAMC experts.
  • Positive student feedback: Surveys reveal a 93% positive satisfaction rate during the last nine months. The office actively seeks feedback to continually improve services. Analysis and outreach is done to address any negative feedback.

Scholarship support

The WSU School of Medicine offers a robust scholarship program to ease the financial burden of medical school.

Available scholarships

A comprehensive list of scholarships is available on the School of Medicine website and Scholarship Universe System. Scholarships are awarded based on various criteria, including:

  • Financial need
  • Academic merit
  • Donor agreements
  • Specific scholarship committee guidelines
  • Applying for scholarships

Most scholarships require a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application for the award year.

Many scholarships are automatically awarded based on the information in your FAFSA application, end-of-segment scores, academic standing and admissions application.

Some scholarships may require an essay or separate application. You will be notified of the specific requirements when the application period opens.

Contact information

Located in Suite 322 of the Mazurek Education Commons, the Office of Scholarships, Debt Management and Financial Wellness is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (evening appointments available Thursdays until 8 p.m.).

For assistance and more information: 

 Office of Student Financial Aid

Sharif AliDinar and Adam Zangerle

Sharif AliDinar and Adam Zangerle

The WSU Office of Student Financial Aid provides comprehensive support to students navigating the financial aspects of their medical education. Financial aid staff are available to assist students with understanding financial aid programs, eligibility and the financial aid process.

Services offered

  • Financial aid application assistance
  • Cost of attendance calculations
  • Understanding loan options
  • Verification and packaging
  • Award notification and disbursement
  • Payment plan management
  • Federal loan consolidation
  • Personalized loan repayment strategies
  • Understanding federal loan options

Positive impact

Student satisfaction is a top priority of the Office of Student Financial Aid. Here’s how they measure their success in serving students like you:

  • High satisfaction rate: During the last nine months, a remarkable 93% of students reported positive satisfaction with services provided by the office.
  • Commitment to improvement: For rare cases in which student expectations weren’t met, the office proactively reaches out to understand how it can improve services.
  • Highly successful disbursement rate: 95% disbursement rate each term for students who have accepted financial aid and completed all required steps.
  • Proactive problem solving: The remaining 5% of students whose  financial aid did not initially disburse received one-on-one assistance resolving disbursement issues, clearing any remaining financial holds and prompt disbursement of financial aid when available.

Contact information

Located in Suite 317 of the Mazurek Education Commons, the Office of Student Financial Aid is open for in-person service Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and for remote assistance Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For assistance and more information:

We hope you enjoyed this issue of In the Loop. You can have your voice heard by submitting questions or comments via the Warrior Med Suggestions Program. You are free to include your name and contact information or to remain anonymous.

All issues of In the Loop can be found on the Office of Assessment, Accreditation and Continuous Quality Improvement website.

Sincerely,

Kanye Gardner
Director of Continuous Quality Improvement
Office of Assessment, Accreditation and Continuous Quality Improvement