<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The average dental student graduates with over $300,000 of debt. Take action to support the REDI Act and defer payments and interest on student loans for students during their residency.</span>&nbsp;</p>


Support Deferring Student Loan Interest for Residents

As a member of the American Student Dental Association, I urge you to support H.R. 2028 / S. 942, the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act. This bill allows potential dental residents like me the opportunity to defer payments on student loans, interest-free, during residency. 

In 2025, nearly 2,000 dentists chose to pursue advanced education and were placed in a residency program, which anywhere between one and six years. During this time in residency, we may be making very little money and paying tuition – all while continuing to accrue additional thousands of dollars of interest. 

The average indebted dental student graduates with over $300,000 of debt. As healthcare providers, our primary goal is to serve patients and communities in need. H.R. 2028 / S. 942 allows us the opportunity to pursue a residency that will enable us to provide this care without worrying about the additional burden of accrued interest. Passing the REDI Act is essential to addressing the nation’s ongoing healthcare professional shortage, particularly in rural areas.

The American Student Dental Association urges you to co-sponsor the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act (H.R. 2028 / S. 942).

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your support.