Program Costs
For an annual budget for the graduate dental education specialty certificate programs, please see the respective program pages:
Endodontic Residency » Annual Fees
Oral Medicine Residency » Annual Fees
Orthodontic Residency » Annual Fees
Periodontic Residency » Annual Fees
Periodontic/ Orthodontic Residency » Annual Fees
Periodontal Prosthesis » Annual Fees
Prosthodontics Residency » Annual Fees
Federal and Alternative Loan Opportunities
Graduate Dental Education (GDE) students are eligible for non-University-based funding (Federal loan, if applicable, and private/alternative loans). Penn Dental Medicine and Penn’s Student Registration and Financial Services are available to assist you in locating sources according to your educational program and needs.
Direct Loan
The Federal Direct loan program enables a full-time Graduate Dental Education (GDE) student to borrow a $20,500 per year. However, the maximum aggregate eligibility is $224,000 including undergraduate borrowing. The entire loan is unsubsidized, with interest accruing from the date of disbursement. The interest rate is set annually every July 1. The Federal government charges an origination fee for money borrowed.
Direct PLUS Loan
The Federal Direct loan program enables full-time students to borrow up to the cost of attendance. The entire loan is unsubsidized, with interest accruing from the date of disbursement. The interest rate is set annually every July 1 for the academic year and is fixed for the life of the loan. The federal government charges an origination fee for money borrowed.
To begin the process of applying for these loans, a student must complete the student section only of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Private Educational/Alternative Loans
Alternative loan options include the Federal Direct PLUS loan, available only to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, as well as private educational loan programs typically with variable interest rates although some lenders do offer fixed rates.
International students may borrow private educational loans with an approved U.S. citizen or permanent resident co-signer. The loan is unsubsidized with interest accruing from the date of disbursement.
It is important to remember that your credit history is one of the most important factors used in determining your loan eligibility. Most loan programs require some form of credit evaluation. If you have defaulted on a previous educational loan, you may be ineligible for future loans.
Completion Rate
For the current graduating class, all specialty certificate students completed the program in the time frame defined by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). The specialty program time periods do not coincide with the University’s academic calendar year.
Notice of Request for Third Party Comments
The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine Advanced Dental Education Program in Advanced Education in General Dentistry will undergo accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) on October 12, 2021. In accordance with CODA requirements, the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine requests comments from interested third party individuals. Comments must be in writing and sent to: 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. Comments must pertain only to the standards relative to the Advanced Education in General Dentistry program as listed above, or policies and procedures used in the accreditation process. Please click here for the entire policy »