Repayment Programs
Student loan forgiveness for nurses is the opportunity for borrowers who become nurses to have their federal loans discharged through national or state programs.
To qualify for these programs, you’ll need to meet specific criteria depending on the program you choose, so it’s important to research and understand the requirements before committing. Typically, many of these programs require that you fulfill certain work obligations for a period of time before your loans will be forgiven.
There are many options out there, so take the time to consider which one(s) might be a good fit for you.
HRSA Loan Repayment Programs for Health Careers
HRSA offers eight programs that repay part of your school loan debt. In exchange, you serve in an eligible health care facility for a community in need.
Learn more about HRSA Loan Repayment Programs for Health Careers
Sign up to be notified of any upcoming application cycles
Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program
The NURSE Corps Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs may pay up to 85 percent of unpaid nursing education debt (60 percent over two years with an option to extend to a third year for an additional 25 percent of the original balance) to qualifying nursing staff.
The Nurse Corps offers loan repayment to nurses who work in health centers, rural health clinics, hospitals, and other facilities experiencing a critical shortage of nurses; and to nurse faculty who teach full-time in eligible public or private schools of nursing.
You may be eligible for loan repayment if:
You are:
- a licensed registered nurse
- an advanced practice registered nurse, such as a nurse practitioner; or
- a nurse faculty member with qualifying nursing debt;
You received your nursing education from:
- an accredited school of nursing located in a U.S. state or territory.
You work full-time at:
- an eligible Critical Shortage Facility (CSF) in a high need area (for RNs, APNs),
- an accredited school of nursing (for nurse faculty).
Learn more about the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program
National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program
For: Clinicians in primary care medical, dental, or behavioral health disciplines serving in a health professional shortage area
Funding:
- Primary care medical: Up to $75,000 full-time
- Dental or behavioral health: Up to $50,000 full-time
- See details for part-time options, Spanish language award enhancement
Serve: Two years at an NHSC-approved site
Learn more about the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program
NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program
For: Clinicians trained and licensed to provide SUD treatment and serving in a health professional shortage area
Funding:
- Up to $75,000 (full-time)
- See details for part-time options, Spanish language award enhancement
Serve: Three years at an NHSC-approved SUD treatment facility
Learn more about the NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program
NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program
For: Students in their last year at an eligible medical, nursing, dental, or physician assistant school
Funding: Up to $120,000 in loan repayment funds
Serve: Three years (full-time) at an NHSC-approved site
Learn more about the NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program
Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Loan Repayment Program
For: Eligible substance use disorder (SUD) treatment clinicians and community health workers
Funding: Up to $250,000
Serve: Six years (full-time) in a STAR Loan Repayment Program-approved facility
Learn more about the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Loan Repayment Program
Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program
For: Eligible clinicians providing services in certain pediatric subspecialties or child and adolescent mental and behavioral health care.
Funding: Up to $100,000
Serve: Three years (full-time) at an eligible Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program-approved facility
Learn more about the Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program
Faculty Loan Repayment Program
For: Faculty members from disadvantaged backgrounds
Funding: Up to $40,000
Serve: Two years (full-time or part-time) in an eligible health professions school
Learn more about the Faculty Loan Repayment Program
HCAI Loan Repayment Programs
The various HCAI loan repayment programs assist with the repayment of qualified educational loans for eligible health care professionals.
Learn more about HCAI Loan Repayment Programs
Allied Health Loan Repayment Program
Eligible applicants may receive up to $16,000 in loan repayment for a 12-month commitment providing direct patient care at CMSP-contracted sites.
Learn more about the Allied Health Loan Repayment Program
Bachelor of Science Nursing Loan Repayment Program
Eligible registered nurses may receive up to $15,000 in loan repayment for a 12-month commitment in a qualified facility or underserved area in California.
Learn more about the Bachelor of Science Nursing Loan Repayment Program
California State Loan Repayment Program
SLRP offers loan repayment to healthcare professionals serving in California’s Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
Learn more about the California State Loan Repayment Program
County Medical Services Program Loan Repayment Program
Licensed providers in CMSP counties may receive up to $50,000 in loan repayment for a two-year service commitment.
Licensed Mental Health Services Provider Education Program
Licensed mental health providers may receive up to $15,000 in loan repayment in exchange for a 12-month service commitment.
Licensed Vocational Nurse Loan Repayment Program
Licensed vocational nurses in California may receive up to $8,000 in loan repayment for 12 months of full-time patient care at an eligible site.
Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program
Behavioral health providers may receive up to $240,000 in loan repayment for providing care in Medi-Cal safety net settings.
Steven M. Thompson Physician Corps Loan Repayment Program
Physicians in California may receive up to $105,000 in loan repayment for 3 years of full-time outpatient care in underserved areas or approved sites.
County Medical Services Program (CMSP) Loan Repayment Program
CMSP assists with the repayment of qualified educational loans for primary care healthcare professionals who provide healthcare services at an approved site located in the 35 CMSP counties.
Learn more about the CMSP Loan Repayment Program
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
If you work in the public sector, you may be able to get your federal student loans forgiven through Public Service Loan Forgiveness after working full time and making 120 payments, which do not need to be consecutive.
Federal direct loans in good standing (for example, not in default) are eligible for forgiveness. Borrowers must work at least 30 hours per week for a government or nonprofit (including a nonprofit hospital) to be eligible.
Learn more about the PSLF Program
Army Nurse Corps Benefits/Health Professions Loan Repayment Program
If you enlist in active duty or the Army Reserve, you can receive up to $250,000 in student loan forgiveness for nurses, paid directly to your lender. (The amount varies based on the medical specialty.)