State Loan Repayment

Announcements:
State Loan Repayment Programs

The State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) provides grants to states to operate their own loan repayment programs for primary care providers.

States with State Loan Repayment Programs: WA, OR, CA, NV, AZ, NM, CO, MT, KS, LA, MO, IA, MN, WI, IL, IN, KY, TN, AL, OH, MI, WV, VA, PA, MD, DE, NJ, PA, MA

State Loan Repayment Grantees

The NHSC State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) provides cost-sharing grants to states to operate their own educational loan repayment programs for primary care providers working in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) within their state.  

The State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) necessitates matching funds from the state applicant and administration of the program by a state agency. States agree to make available, directly or through donations from public or private entities, non-Federal contributions in cash toward SLRP contracts in an amount not less than $1 for each $1 of Federal funds provided in the grant.

NHSC SLRP released a Funding Opportunity Announcement on April 17, 2012. New this year, SLRP grantees have the option to expand eligible disciplines in their programs to include registered nurses and pharmacists, and expand eligible site types to include critical access hospitals, nursing homes, and state and county mental health hospitals.

The State Loan Repayment Program is competitive and requires online application.  Go to the SLRP Funding Opportunity Announcement for more information or to www.grants.gov to begin the application process.

Applications are due June 5, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.


Primary Care Providers

Like the NHSC Loan Repayment Program, these state programs highlighted offer loan repayment to primary care providers working in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). Both loan repayment programs work together to improve access to care in communities with a shortage of health professionals.

The SLRP varies by state and may differ from the NHSC LRP in these ways:

  • Eligible disciplines
  • Length of service commitment
  • Amount of loan repayment assistance offered
  • Practice sites

Eligible Disciplines:

These vary by state, but may include:

  • Physicians (MDs or DOs specializing in pediatrics, geriatrics, psychiatry, family or internal medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology)
  • Nurse practitioners (adult, family, geriatric, pediatric, psychiatric, women’s health, and certified  nurse midwives)
  • Physician assistants (primary care)
  • Dental professionals (general, pediatric and geriatric dentists, and dental hygienists)
  • Mental health professionals (health service psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and licensed professional counselors)
  • Registered Nurses
  • Pharmacists

Service Commitment
  • Minimum two-year service commitment
  • Additional one year of service for each year of additional support
  • States may require longer minimum service commitments (more than two years) to meet community needs

Loan Repayment Awards
  • The amount of tax-free, loan repayment support for qualified student loans varies by state.
  • Contact your state loan repayment program  to learn more about your SLRP eligibility requirements and benefits.