Book companion · rule year 2026–27

Current Numbers

The book teaches the mechanics; this page carries the figures that change. Every number below shows its primary source and the date it was verified. The matching free course — modules, practice questions, and a verifiable Certificate of Completion — is at attendingfinancial.com/learn.

Federal student loans

Direct Unsubsidized rate — graduate/professional (loans first disbursed 7/1/26–6/30/27)8.07%

U.S. Dept. of Education electronic announcement · verified 2026-08-19

Grad PLUS rate (grandfathered borrowers only — see caps below)9.07%

U.S. Dept. of Education electronic announcement · verified 2026-08-19

Origination fee — Direct Unsubsidized1.057%

studentaid.gov · verified 2026-08-19

Origination fee — Grad PLUS4.228%

studentaid.gov · verified 2026-08-19

Federal borrowing cap for NEW professional-degree borrowers — per year (OBBBA, eff. 7/1/2026)$50,000

P.L. 119-21; NASFAA professional-students fact sheet · verified 2026-08-19 · Existing borrowers grandfathered up to 3 academic years or program end.

Federal aggregate cap — professional program (new borrowers)$200,000

P.L. 119-21; NASFAA fact sheet · verified 2026-08-19

Lifetime federal borrowing cap (all programs, new borrowers)$257,500

P.L. 119-21; ED/FSA announcement · verified 2026-08-19

Repayment & forgiveness

RAP monthly payment (the income-driven plan for post-7/1/2026 borrowers)1–10% of AGI by $10k bracket (10% above $100k) ÷ 12, − $50/dependent; $10 floor

studentaid.gov · verified 2026-08-19 · Unpaid monthly interest waived; up to $50/month principal match; 360-payment forgiveness; PSLF-qualifying.

Plan landscapeSAVE ended (court judgment, Mar 2026); PAYE/ICR close by 7/1/2028; legacy IBR only while every loan predates 7/1/2026

studentaid.gov; P.L. 119-21 · verified 2026-08-19

Auto-debit interest-rate reduction1% (temporary) for enrollments through 2026-09-30; 0.25% standard after

studentaid.gov · verified 2026-08-19

The application year

ERAS application fee — programs 1–30 (per specialty, 2027 season)$11 per program

AAMC ERAS fee schedule · verified 2026-08-19

ERAS application fee — programs 31+ (per specialty; count resets each specialty)$30 per program

AAMC ERAS fee schedule · verified 2026-08-19

USMLE transcript fee (once per ERAS season)$70

AAMC ERAS fee schedule · verified 2026-08-19

NRMP Main Match registration (includes 20 ranks; +$30/extra rank to 300)$85

NRMP fee schedule · verified 2026-08-19

USMLE Step 2 CK exam fee (2026–2027)$695

USMLE · verified 2026-08-19

IRS figures a trainee touches

401(k)/403(b) employee deferral limit (2026)$24,500

IRS (platform irs_limits, live) · verified live

IRA contribution limit (2026)$7,500

IRS (platform irs_limits, live) · verified live

HSA limit — individual (2026)$4,400

IRS (platform irs_limits, live) · verified live

HSA limit — family (2026)$8,750

IRS (platform irs_limits, live) · verified live

Reference figures

Median 4-year cost of attendance, class of 2026 (public / private)$297,745 / $408,150

AAMC Fact Card, Oct 2025 · verified 2026-08-19

Median PGY-1 stipend (AAMC 2025 survey)$66,986

AAMC Survey of Resident/Fellow Stipends and Benefits · verified 2026-08-19

Median education debt, indebted MD graduates (Class of 2025)$215,000

AAMC Education Debt Fact Card, Class of 2025 · verified 2026-08-19

FDIC deposit insurance limit (per depositor, per bank, per category)$250,000

FDIC · verified 2026-08-19

Educational reference, not individualized advice. Figures are verified against the named primary sources on the dates shown; always confirm at the source before acting.