Licensed primary care providers in eligible disciplines who serve in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) can receive loan repayment assistance through the NHSC Loan Repayment Program (LRP).
Licensed behavioral health and oral health care providers within a mental or dental HPSA may also qualify for loan repayment assistance.
In exchange, you must serve at least two years at an NHSC-approved site within a HPSA.
Maternity Care Target Areas
In addition to HPSAs, we also will use designated Maternity Care Target Area (MCTA) scoring to distribute maternity care health professionals.
MCTAs are specific areas within primary care HPSAs that have a higher need for maternity care services. We award maternity care health providers using either the primary care HPSA or the MCTA score of their site, whichever is higher.
Award enhancement for Spanish-language proficiency
For the 2026 NHSC loan repayment programs, we aim to address language access barriers to health care. To support this effort, we will provide a one-time enhancement award of $5,000 for a total loan repayment award of:
Primary care participants (physicians, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, physician assistants serving in a primary care HPSA):
- Up to $80,000 for full-time participants.
- Up to $42,500 for half-time participants.
Non-primary care participants (physicians, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and physician assistants specializing in behavioral health serving in a mental HPSA, as well as dentists, dental hygienists, and behavioral health providers):
- Up to $55,000 for full-time participants.
- Up to $30,000 for half-time participants.
Award amounts are based on the outstanding balance of an applicant’s qualifying educational loans. Participants must complete the two-year service obligation regardless of the amount of their award.
Who is eligible for the enhancement?
If you indicated that you have proficiency in Spanish, and your site affirms you provide services in Spanish to patients with limited English proficiency, when the application closes, you will receive an email containing a link to schedule a Spanish-language proficiency assessment. This assessment will be conducted by a vendor approved by the General Services Administration.
To be eligible for the award enhancement, your score on the assessment must be three (3) or higher.
Note: If your loans are less than the maximum $75,000 (full-time) or $37,500 (half-time) increased award amounts or the $50,000 (full-time) or $25,000 (half-time) traditional two-year award amount, you will not receive the award enhancement even if you are eligible under the other criteria.
Award increase for primary care providers
We have increased the award amount for physicians, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants who provide primary care services in high-need communities (located in a primary care HPSA) to address the critical shortages of these providers.
The increased award amounts are:
- Up to $75,000 for a full-time, two-year service commitment
- Up to $37,500 for a half-time, two-year service commitment
Award amount for non-primary care providers
If you are in an eligible discipline but you provide mental or behavioral health care services, you will not be eligible for the increased award amount. Instead, all other providers eligible for an NHSC award will receive up to $50,000 of support for a full-time, two-year service commitment.
Remember, all two-year loan repayment program participants can apply for an NHSC LRP Continuation Contract. This option may allow you to pay off most or all of your health professional education debt.
Application information
Determine if you're eligible
Do I qualify for the NHSC LRP?
You qualify if you meet these requirements:
- A United States citizen (U.S. born or naturalized) or a United States national
- A provider (or eligible to participate as a provider) in the Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program, as appropriate
- Fully trained and licensed to practice in the NHSC-eligible discipline and state in which you are applying to serve. This page lists eligible disciplines and specialties for primary care, dental care, mental/behavioral health care, and maternity care.
- A health professional in an eligible discipline with qualified student loan debt for education that led to your degree
- Working or have accepted employment at an NHSC-approved site by the application deadline.
Are military reservists eligible?
Yes. Find out about specific guidelines and requirements for military reservists.
Which disciplines and specialties are eligible?
The following disciplines and specialties are eligible to apply.
What is an NHSC-approved site?
An NHSC-approved site is a health care facility that:
- Provides complete outpatient services to people living in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs)
- Meets NHSC site requirements and qualifications
How to apply
We guide you through the application and award process:
To apply for the NHSC LRP, you must understand and follow our requirements.
Before you apply
It takes up to three weeks to complete an application. That includes all required and supplemental documents, and access to a credit report. Failure or refusal to unfreeze/unlock your credit report will disqualify your application.
- Provide answers in your application that match your supporting documents. If they don't, we will reject your application.
- You must submit a legible, complete online application by the deadline.
- Save each document as a PDF file before uploading to your application. Do not attempt to upload files larger than 5 MB. We do not accept files saved as TIFF, JPEG, PNG, HEIC, and TXT.
Print and keep a copy of your completed application package for your records.
After you apply
After you submit your online application, you'll see a receipt of submission.
How can I view my application and its status?
Log into your My BHW Account to view your application status. You can download a copy of your application, supporting documents, and completed EVs.
Can I make edits after I submit my application?
After you submit the online application, you can make edits and upload new documents. You must make all edits, certify, and resubmit your final, complete application by the application deadline. We will not consider applications in an "In Progress" status for an award.
Can I withdraw my application?
Yes, you may withdraw your application at any time before the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), or their designee, signs the contract.
How do you evaluate me?
We review all applications after the application deadline closes. We use selection factors and funding priorities to evaluate each application and make award decisions.
Notifying award finalists
If you become an award finalist, we will email you by September 30. You must log into your My BHW Account to confirm:
- Your continued interest in receiving an award.
- That your loan and employment information is valid.
- That you have read and understand the LRP.
You will e-sign confirmation of receipt and provide your direct deposit banking information. If awarded, we will use this for award funds disbursement.
Note: You must respond by the deadline we provide in the Confirmation of Interest email.
What if I don’t respond in time?
If you miss the deadline for the Confirmation of Interest process, we may not consider your application.
If you still wish to participate in the program, you will need to submit a new application during a future NHSC LRP application cycle for first-time applicants. You will be considered along with other applicants based on that cycle's program requirements.
Who determines if I receive an award?
Only the HHS Secretary or their designee can make an NHSC LRP award.
When will you notify me of an award?
You will receive final notification of an award, including your service obligation dates, no later than September 30.
Will you notify me if you don't select me for an award?
Yes. If we do not select you for an award, we will email you no later than September 30.
NHSC LRP contract & service obligation
When does my service obligation begin?
Your NHSC LRP service obligation begins on the date that the HHS Secretary or their designee countersigns your contract.
Can I terminate my contract?
Yes, however you must review the Application and Program Guidance and your contract to understand the timeline requirements and limitations for termination. If you terminate, you will be required to repay all funds received under the contract.
*If you use assistive technology, you may not be able to access information in these files. For help, contact us at 800-221-9393.