Dr. Tevita Kale Jr.
Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
Friday October 16, 2026
5pm-6:30pm PST
Workshop Description:
For community college and university premedical students, the cost of medical school can feel overwhelming, but finances should never be the reason you give up on becoming a physician. This workshop gives students a practical, encouraging introduction to financial aid, scholarships, loans, budgeting, and resources that can make medical education more affordable. Dr. Tevita Kale Jr., Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, will share valuable guidance on understanding financial aid options, planning ahead, avoiding common financial mistakes, and making informed decisions before and during medical school. Whether you are just beginning your premed journey or preparing to apply, this session will help you better understand the financial side of becoming a doctor. Come, ask your questions, and get answers. Hear directly from the source instead of relying on secondhand information, bad advice, or people who have no clue about the financial aid and admissions process. Your financial circumstances do not have to define how far your medical dreams can take you with confidence.
About the Speaker:
Tevita Kale Jr., Ed.D. (he/him) is the Director of Financial Aid at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (DGSOM), where he provides strategic oversight for all aspects of financial aid administration for one of the nation’s most prestigious medical schools. With over 18 years of progressive experience in higher education financial aid leadership, Tevita is a trusted guide for students navigating the complex and often daunting financial landscape of medical education.
A first-generation college student himself, Tevita deeply understands the barriers that students from underrepresented and non-traditional backgrounds face on the road to medicine and he has dedicated his career to breaking them down. At DGSOM, he oversees the administration of federal loans, institutional and external scholarships, and comprehensive financial wellness programming designed to help medical students borrow wisely, plan strategically, and graduate prepared.
Before joining UCLA, Tevita served as Associate Director of Financial Aid at Arizona State University, where he supported one of the largest student populations in the country (70,000+ students), co-led professional judgment policy updates, and coordinated over 100 FAFSA completion events statewide — bringing financial access directly to communities that needed it most.
Tevita earned both his Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership and his Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) at Arizona State University, where his doctoral research focused on individualized financial counseling for medical students, reflecting his belief that financial education is inseparable from student success.
Whether you’re a first-generation college student still building your premed path or a competitive applicant weighing how to finance medical school, Tevita brings real-world expertise, compassionate guidance, and insider knowledge to help you make informed decisions about one of the most significant investments of your life.
Register for Free:
What: Do Not Let Money Stop Your Medical Dream: Financial Aid, Scholarships, Loans, & More
When: Friday, October 16, 2026, 5 AM (Pacific Standard Time)
You will receive an immediate email confirmation of your registration from Zoom. PLEASE check your SPAM or JUNK folder, as the email might be directed there. Additionally, you will receive an email reminder from Zoom ONE hour before the event, sent to the same email address you used for registration.
