Half-Time Program

Half-Time Loan Repayment Program

Primary care providers working half-time at an NHSC-approved site with a HPSA score of 14 or above can receive up to $60,000 in loan repayment for committing to serve for four years, or up to $30,000 for two years of service. 

Primary care providers working half-time at an NHSC-approved site with a HPSA score of 13 or below can receive up to $40,000 in loan repayment for committing to serve for four years, or up to $20,000 for two years.

Once the initial service commitment ends, half-time Corps members can apply to continue their service and receive additional loan repayment support. With continued service, providers may be able to pay off all their student loans!

Loan Repayment Calculator

Check out the Loan Repayment Calculator to estimate your loan repayment for years of service.

Corps members who elect to participate in the half-time loan repayment program must complete their entire initial service commitment through half-time service. Once the initial service commitment is complete, half-time participants who apply for and receive a continuation contract to extend their service in the Corps will have an opportunity to change to full-time service.

In order to apply for the loan repayment program, you must:

  • be licensed to practice in an NHSC-eligible discipline,
  • have a job at an NHSC-approved site, and
  • have unpaid, qualifying educational loans.

Learn more about the eligibility requirements and the application process.

What counts as half-time practice for the NHSC LRP?

Half-time clinical practice means working a minimum of 20 hours per week (not to exceed 39 hours per week), for at least 45 weeks each year. For most types of providers, at least 16 of the minimum 20 hours per week must be spent providing direct patient care or teaching in the outpatient ambulatory care setting at your site.

Providers work no fewer than 2 work days per week, with no more than 12 hours of work to be performed in any 24-hour period. Up to 35 work days (140 work hours) of leave is allowed away from the service site each year.

For more information on how half-time clinical hours are broken down, view the “Service Requirements” section in the Application and Program Guidance (PDF – 370 KB).

Ready to apply? Get started by reviewing the application process.