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H H S Department of Health and Human Services
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Health Resources and Services Administration

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Loans & Scholarships

Millions of Americans do not have access to health care because they live where there are not enough health professionals to meet basic needs. Shortages of health professionals suggest many more may soon find themselves unable to see a primary health care provider when they need one.

HRSA health professions loan repayment, scholarship and loan programs help to encourage and enable clinicians to work in underserved areas.

Loan Repayment

National Health Service Corps
Competitive program for primary care medical, dental and mental health clinicians working at approved NHSC facilities in Health Professional Shortage Areas. Full-time clinicians working at high-need sites can receive $60,000 for their initial 2-year commitment and may be eligible to apply for additional years of support to repay their student loans. Part-time opportunities also available.

Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program
Registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses, such as nurse practitioners, working in a Critical Shortage Facility can receive 60 percent of their total qualifying nursing education loan balance for 2 years of service. Full-time nurse faculty working at accredited, public or private, non-profit schools of nursing are also eligible. For an optional third year of service, participants may receive an additional 25 percent of their original total qualifying nursing education loan balance.

Faculty Loan Repayment Program
Degree-trained health professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds serving on the faculty at accredited health professions college or university can receive $40,000, plus a tax benefit, for 2 years of service preparing the clinicians of the future. 

Scholarships

National Health Service Corps
Students committed to primary care and enrolled in allopathic or osteopathic medical, dental, physician assistant, nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife training programs can receive tuition, fees, other educational costs and a living stipend, tax-free, for as many as 4 years in exchange for an equal number of years (2-year minimum) service at an approved facility in a high-need underserved area.

Nursing Scholarship Program
Students enrolled or accepted for enrollment in accredited RN training programs can receive tuition, fees, other educational costs and a living stipend in exchange for in exchange for at least 2 years service after graduation at a health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses.

Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students
Need-based, competitive program. Must be enrolled in and apply for aid to participating health professions program.

Loans

Loans for Disadvantaged Students
Need-based, competitive program. Must be enrolled in and apply for aid to participating school of allopathic, osteopathic, podiatric or veterinary medicine or dentistry, optometry, or pharmacy. 

Health Professions Student Loans
Need-based, competitive program. Must apply for aid to participating school and pursue degree in dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, or podiatric or veterinary medicine.

Nursing Student Loans
Need-based, competitive program. Must pursue diploma, associate, baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing and apply for aid to participating school.

Primary Care Loans
Need-based, competitive program. Must pursue degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine and apply for aid to participating school.

Find out which financial aid you might be eligible for. Choose what best describes you.


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