Complete Story
10/27/2026
Financial Wellness Before PA School: Strategies to Reduce Debt and Build Financial Confidence
Monday, November 9, at 8:00 p.m. on Zoom
Session Summary:
PA school is a significant investment in your future, but preparing for that investment involves more than comparing tuition costs.
This presentation explores the financial challenges prospective PA students may face and offers practical strategies to reduce borrowing, compare the total cost of PA programs, identify scholarship opportunities, manage living expenses, and understand student loan options.
Participants will leave with actionable steps to make informed financial decisions before starting PA school and build a stronger foundation for financial wellness throughout their careers.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify major components of the cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, housing, transportation, and clinical rotation expenses, when comparing PA programs.
- Describe practical approaches to reducing borrowing, including saving before enrollment, applying for scholarships, reducing living expenses, and evaluating program costs.
- Recognize key differences among federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, and private student loans, including borrowing costs and repayment protections.
- Select at least one step to take before PA school to strengthen financial readiness and support informed borrowing decisions.
Meet the Presenter:
Carrie McMahon, MHPE, MPAS, PA-C – National Speaker, Clinician, and Educator
With 28 years of experience as both a clinician and educator, Carrie is a dedicated PA whose career has included family medicine, women’s health, plastic surgery, and dermatology. Passionate about patient care, medical education, and professional development, she has made a meaningful impact in both clinical practice and academia. As a national speaker, Carrie is committed to supporting the long-term success and well-being of healthcare professionals. After experiencing clinician burnout, she became deeply interested in the relationship between financial wellness and burnout prevention. Carrie now shares practical strategies to help healthcare colleagues achieve greater financial freedom, reduce stress, and build more sustainable, fulfilling careers.
Registration:
OAPA Pre-PA members may register at no charge (find out more about Pre-PA membership here!) Nonmember registration is $10. Zoom login will be provided in the confirmation email upon registration.
