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.
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
HCAI Loan Repayment Programs
The various HCAI loan repayment programs assist with the repayment of qualified educational loans for eligible health care professionals.
HCAI plans to open the following program cycles on May 1, 2023.
- Allied Health Loan Repayment Program
- Bachelor of Science Nursing Loan Repayment Program
- Licensed Mental Health Services Provider Education Program
- Licensed Vocational Nurse Loan Repayment Program
- Steven M. Thompson Physician Corps Loan Repayment Program
Learn more about HCAI Loan Repayment Programs
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
National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program (LRP)
The NHSC loan forgiveness program is available to APRNs who are Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) providers in an NHSC-approved health professional shortage area. Full-time practitioners can receive up to $50,000 for two years, and part-time practitioners can receive $25,000.
Learn more about the NHSC Loan Repayment Program
NHSC Loan Repayment Program - Indian Health Service
Nurse practitioners or nurse midwives with student loan debt who commit to working for the Indian Health Service in Indian Health Service facilities, tribally-operated 638 health programs, and Urban Indian Health Programs for at least two years can receive up to $40,000 per year until their loans are repaid. You do not have to be of Indigenous American heritage to participate.
Learn more about the NHSC Loan Repayment Program
Faculty Loan Repayment Program
If you're a faculty member, the Bureau of Health Workforce will repay a portion of your health professional student loan debt ($40,000 max over two years). In return, you serve at an eligible health professions school.
You are eligible for the Faculty Loan Repayment Program (FLRP) if
- You come from a disadvantaged background. We base this on environmental and economic factors.
- You have an eligible health professions degree or certificate.
- You are a faculty member at an approved health professions school. You must have a contract for two years or more.
Learn more about the Faculty 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.)