Loan Repayment Program

The NHSC continually seeks clinicians dedicated to working with our Nation's underserved. We have created a program to connect these unique individuals with the communities that need them, and to support them during their initial time of service. Fully trained health professionals who are dedicated to working with the underserved and have qualifying educational loans are eligible to compete for repayment of those loans if they choose to serve in a community of greatest need. In addition to loan repayment, these clinicians receive a competitive salary and a chance to have a significant impact on a community.

To be eligible for the Loan Repayment Program (LRP), you must be a fully trained:

• Allopathic or osteopathic physician specializing in family medicine, general pediatrics, general internal medicine, general psychiatry, or obstetrics/gynecology
• Primary care nurse practitioner
• Primary care physician assistant
• Certified nurse-midwife
• Dentist
• Dental hygienist
• Mental or behavioral health professional (health service psychologist, clinical social worker, licensed professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, and psychiatric nurse specialist)

Other eligibility requirements include:

• Be free of judgment liens arising from Federal debt
• Have no other existing service commitment
• Serve full time (40 hours a week) in the clinical practice of your profession
• Commit to providing primary care service in a priority health professional shortage area for a minimum of 2 years
• Be a U.S. citizen with a valid, unrestricted license and/or certificate for the State where you plan to practice

Maximum repayment during the required initial 2-year contract is $25,000 each year. You may be eligible to continue your loan repayment beyond 2 years, 1 year at a time, to the extent you have unpaid qualifying educational loans and continue to serve at an eligible site. One-year amendments are awarded for a maximum of $35,000 per year.

Clinicians choose their practice site before applying to the NHSC LRP, allowing maximum flexibility to match the right clinicians with the right communities. However, employment at a site does not guarantee participation in the NHSC LRP.

See the NHSC Opportunities section of this site for a searchable list of job opportunities and site vacancies.

NHSC Loan Repayment Application Information Bulletin

This Applicant Information Bulletin explains in detail the NHSC LRP, including eligibility requirements, funding preferences, application process, benefits and service requirements. contractual obligations of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and the participants in the NHSC LRP. Here is the Applicant Information Bulletin in Acrobat PDF format.

Read the Frequently Asked Questions for more information about the NHSC LRP.