The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program has the goal to assist primary health care providers to repay their student loans. The program is designed to provide health care (and possibly teaching) to places with limited health care is available.
For example, a borrower can work full-time for four years at a designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA’s) site. In return, the health care provider gets a portion (or all) of their student loans repaid. The repayment amounts could be another way to assist them in managing their debt. The chart below outlines the time commitment along with the amount of pay-off involved with successful completion of the program.
|
2 Years Full-time |
4 Years Half-time |
2 Years Half-time |
|
| Sites with HPSA Score of 14+ |
Up to $60,000 |
Up to $60,000 |
Up to $30,000 |
| Sites with HPSA Score of 0–13 |
Up to $40,000 |
Up to $40,000 |
Up to $20,000 |
With continued service, NHSC providers may be able to pay off all of their student loans.
As the chart illustrates, a health care provider may also choose to work half time at a HPSA site. This may allow someone to continue exploring their options as a health care provider, and still be in good standing on their student loans. However, it also doubles their time commitment, so it would be up to the individual as to what works best for them.
Here are a few more additional details about the program:
- Specialties include, but are not limited to, Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, and Mental and Behavioral Health
- You must be a US Citizen or US National
- The amount(s) of the pay-off is NOT taxable
- There is an application process involved in signing up for the program
For more information about this program, please visit nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment.
