Student Loan Repayment Programs

 

NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program

The NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program enables dedicated registered nurses committed to caring for underserved people to serve in hospitals and clinics in some of America's neediest communities, improving the lives of their patients and transforming their own.

NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program sets registered nurses (including advanced practice registered nurses and nursing faculty) on a rewarding career path while paying off 60 percent of their unpaid nursing student loans in just 2 years – plus an additional 25 percent of the original balance for an optional third year.

To be eligible to apply, you must be a licensed registered nurse (nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses are encouraged to apply) or nurse faculty, have completed your training (diploma, associate, baccalaureate or graduate), and be employed full time (at least 32 hours per week) at an eligible critical shortage facility. (See full eligibility requirements below).

Authorized by Section 846 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, the purpose is to assist in the recruitment and retention of professional nurses dedicated to providing health care to underserved populations.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Be a U.S. citizen (either U.S. born or naturalized), U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident
  • Have received a baccalaureate or associate degree in nursing (or an equivalent degree), a diploma in nursing or a graduate degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing
  • Be employed as a full-time RN, working at least 32 hours per week, at a public or private nonprofit CSF; OR, be employed as a full-time NF member at a public or private, nonprofit, eligible school of nursing.
  • Have outstanding qualifying educational loans leading to a diploma or degree in nursing.
  • Have completed the nursing education program for which the loan balance applies
  • Have a current, full, permanent, unencumbered, unrestrictive license to practice as an RN in the State in which they intend to practice, or be authorized to practice in that State pursuant to the Nurse Licensure Compact. Applicants who intend to practice as Federal employees, or employees of a tribal health program in a state in which the tribal health program provides services described in its contract/compact under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), 25 U.S.C. 450 et seq. (e.g., IHS health center), only need to be licensed as an RN, in any State.
  • Individuals in a Reserve component of the Armed Forces, including the National Guard, are eligible to participate in the NURSE Corps LRP. Reservist should note the following:
    • Military training or service performed by reservists will not satisfy the NURSE Corps LRP Contract. If a participant's combined military training and service, or other absences from the CSF or school of nursing, will exceed seven weeks (35 workdays) per service year, the participant should request a suspension of the service obligation. While the reservist is on an approved suspension, payments will be stopped, and will resume when the reservist returns to full-time service. The service obligation end date will be extended to compensate for the break in service.
    • If the approved CSF or school of nursing is unable to re-employ the reservist after deployment, the individual will be expected to complete the NURSE Corps LRP Contract at another approved CSF or eligible school of nursing. The reservist must contact the NURSE Corps LRP to request a transfer and receive approval, in accordance with the transfer policy.
  • For more information and application, visit:  www.hrsa.gov/loanscholarships/repayment/nursing

Please refer to the Nurse Licensure Compact state listing at: www.ncsbn.org/nurse-licensure-compact.htm. NURSE Corps LRP requires that NF participants have a current license to practice as an RN, even if it is not required by the school of nursing where the NF member is employed.

 

Extramural Loan Repayment for Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds Conducting Clinical Research

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announce a program that provides for the repayment of educational loan debt of health professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Individuals who qualify must have an educational loan debt equal to 20% of their income and agree to conduct clinical research as employees of the NIH. Qualified applicants include individuals with a professional or doctoral degree, come from a disadvantaged background, and a non-federal employee at the time of application. The program will pay up to $35,000 per year for two years. This is a continuous program so applications are always accepted.

 

Indian Health Service (IHS)

The Indian Health Service offers financial alternatives to RNs who provide direct patient care, such as, Practitioners and Certified Nurse-Midwives. Nurses staff hospitals and clinics, while others practice in public health nursing. Positions usually are in rural areas. The IHS recruits professionals for facilities operated by tribes and for facilities the IHS itself operates.

The IHS Loan Repayment Program (LRP) can help dedicated health professionals chart a course for a long-lasting and successful health care career. The LRP funds IHS clinicians to repay their eligible health profession education loans — up to $40,000 — in exchange for an initial two-year service commitment to practice in health facilities serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Opportunities are based on Indian health program facilities with the greatest staffing needs in specific health profession disciplines. As an LRP participant, you are eligible to extend your contract annually until your qualified student debt is paid.

 

Loan Repayment for Clinical Researchers

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announces the availability of funds for educational loan repayment for qualified health professionals who agree to be clinical researchers for at least two years with the NIH.

The overall purpose of the extramural LRP is the recruitment and retention of highly qualified health professionals as research investigators to careers in research.

The NIH invites qualified health professionals who contractually agree to engage in NIH mission-relevant research for at least two years, and who agree to engage in such research for an average of at least 20 hours per week based on a 40-hour work week, to apply for participation in the extramural LRP. Extramural LRPs provide for the repayment of educational loan debt of up to $35,000 annually for qualified health professionals performing research within the mission of NIH at domestic, non-profit, or government entities.

 

Loan Repayment Program for Pediatric Researchers

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announces the availability of funds for educational loan repayment for qualified health professionals

The NIH invites qualified health professionals who contractually agree to engage in NIH mission-relevant research for at least two years, and who agree to engage in such research for an average of at least 20 hours per week based on a 40-hour work week, to apply for participation in the extramural LRP. Extramural LRPs provide for the repayment of educational loan debt of up to $35,000 annually for qualified health professionals performing research within the mission of NIH at domestic, non-profit, or government entities.

 

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) has established the NIMHD Loan Repayment Program (LRP). The NIMHD LRP offers loan repayment awards of up to $35,000 per year to health professionals with doctorate degrees (e.g., M.D., Ph.D., Dr. P.H.). Grantees must conduct health disparities or clinical research in non-federal research settings for at least two years. The program aims to increase the pool of highly qualified researchers who conduct health disparities research.

 

National Health Service Corp (NHSC)

The National Health Service Corp (NHSC) provides an opportunity for primary care medical, dental and mental/behavioral health clinicians to receive up to $50,000 to repay their health profession student loans in exchange for a two-year commitment to work at an approved NHSC site in a high-need, underserved area. The payment is free from Federal income tax and is made at the beginning of service. Approved sites are located across the U.S., in both urban and rural areas.

After completing your initial service commitment, you can apply to extend your service and receive additional loan repayment assistance.

The amount you receive and length of your commitment depends on where you serve (service at sites in higher need areas yields greater loan repayments). It also depends on whether you select the full-time or half-time option.

 

Northwest Regional Primary Care Association (NWRPCA)

The Northwest Regional Primary Care Association (NWRPCA) works closely with the US Public Health Service to promote primary care practice opportunities in underserved areas. Student loan repayment programs available for Idaho State, Oregon State and Washington State residents.

  • For funding information visit:  webpage

 

Washington State Health Professional Loan Repayment

The Washington State Health Professional Loan Repayment program was created to address the critical shortage of health care professionals statewide. The Loan Repayment program provides loan repayment assistance to licensed primary care health professionals. The Scholarship program provides scholarships to students training to become primary health care professionals. In return, participants in both programs agree to provide primary health care service in rural or underserved urban areas with designated shortages.

The NHSC Loan Repayment Program is open to licensed primary care medical, dental, and mental and behavioral health providers who are employed or seeking employment at approved sites.

Washington State Health Professional Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program

Washington has a loan repayment and scholarship program administered by the Washington Student Achievement Council.

  • The  State Loan Repayment Program is open to licensed physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurse midwives, pharmacists, dentists, dental hygienists and registered nurses who are employed or seeking employment at approved sites.
  • The  Health Professional Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to students training to become primary health care professionals. The program’s funding has been suspended since the 2010 Legislative session.
  • For more information visit:  webpage
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