Financial Wellness

Financial stress is a mental health issue. Veterinary students routinely graduate with debt exceeding twice their starting salary. That reality lives in the background of every clinical decision, every career choice, and every conversation about work-life balance. This section treats debt anxiety as the wellness issue it is.

Debt anxiety is real, common, and largely unaddressed in vet school wellness programming nationally. If you are losing sleep over your loans, experiencing panic related to financial stress, or finding that debt anxiety is affecting your performance or mood — that belongs in a counseling conversation, not just a financial planning spreadsheet. Both are valid. Use both.

USU Resources

Financial Aid Office

Contact your CVM-specific Financial Aid Coordinator. For emergency funding, contact the Financial Support Office. 

Emergency Funding (CARE)

The CARE Office provides emergency grant support for students in financial crisis.

ScholarshipUniverse

ScholarshipUniverse is USU's scholarship matching tool. You can run a search before each semester and ask OSS for guidance.

Food Resources/SNAC Pantry

USU is home to the Student Nutrition Access Center (SNAC), which provides free food for students in need. Other free and low-cost food resources are also available. Ask OSS or CARE if you are experiencing food insecurity.

Vet-Specific Financial Resources

VIN Foundation Student Debt Center

The VIN Foundation Student Debt Center is the most comprehensive free resource built for veterinary student debt. Includes:

  • My Student Loans: upload your NSLDS file to understand your portfolio
  • In-School Loan Estimator: project remaining borrowing and total cost
  • Loan Repayment Simulator: compare income-driven and standard repayment options
  • WikiDebt: a searchable library of student loan questions from veterinary colleagues 

VIN Foundation Borrow Better Guide

The VIN Foundation Borrow Better Guide is a step-by-step guide to minimizing borrowing while you're still in school. Includes a checklist and case studies.

VIN Foundation New Grad Playbook

DVM students are encouraged to start reading the VIN Foundation New Grad Playbook in Y3. Covers income-driven repayment, loan consolidation, and repayment strategy for new graduates — specific to veterinary income levels. 

AVMA Financial Planning Tools

AVMA Financial Planning Tools provide personal financial planning tools and guidance for DVM students. Free with SAVMA membership.