Is there a compromise here? Can she keep her savings (in case something happens to either of you or an unforeseen emergency occurs) and put that 1K a month towards your tuition?

Graduating without loans is really nice, but it isn't take loans or don't take loans. You can decrease the loan amount, do the first year without loans and then revaluate, do a first year with loans and then revaluate, etc.

You're about to be married. Instead of seeing it as financial dependance issue, sit down and actually talk about the goals you have as a couple and how having loans or not having loans fits into them. How much savings will you want when she goes to part time or stay at home? How much will you need to feel comfortable having kids? Is home ownership in your future? Are you likely to stay in the same area or will you need to relocate at some point (so a change in her job, cost of living, the type of cars you need, etc.)? If having significant savings in the near future is important for both of you (not just for emergencies but for a downpayment on a house or similar large expense) then using all her savings to avoid student loans may not make sense. If the plan is to wait to save after you have graduated then maybe graduating loan free is the best option. It's much harder to get a loan to move across country to a brilliant job or residency then it is to get a loan to help with school. I'd suggest you take a portion of what she has (for example enough to pay rent) but also let her save for both of your futures. That way when you graduate you'll have some loans (but less/ a pretty minimal amount to pay off once you are a fully fledged doctor), and still have some savings in case you immediately want to pay for a wedding, move to a nicer place, etc.