Review Site HPSA Score and Job Search Requirements for the NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program

Make a smooth transition from training to practice.

Review:

Students to Service Loan Repayment Program (S2S LRP) employment deadlines
Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) requirements for your NHSC-approved site
Hints on conducting your job search

You are part of the 2026 S2S LRP class, IF:

You are completing a residency that ends between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026
You aren't completing a residency, but your graduation date is between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026

How to understand employment deadlines

Physicians
Must start work within six (6) months of the end of (required) residency
Dentists
Must start work within six (6) months of the end of (optional) residency OR within six (6) months of graduation
Nurse Midwives, Nurse Practitioners & Physician Assistants
Must start work within six (6) months of the end of (optional) residency OR within six (6) months of graduation

What are the notifications and deadlines for CY 2026 NHSC S2S LRP?

When	What Happens?
Summer 2025	We will ask you to select top three states or territories where you would like to practice. We assign you a Regional Analyst to oversee your site search. Begin networking and start your job search using available NHSC tools Ongoing contact with your Regional Analyst.
February 1, 2026	Deadline to submit Notice of Intent to accept a chief residency or fellowship position through the My BHW. We grant deferments in one-year increments.
April 15, 2026	Deadline to continue postgraduate residency training for physicians or dentists through the My BHW. We grant deferments in one-year increments.

How to understand HPSA score requirements

As an NHSC S2S LRP participant, you must work at an NHSC-approved site with a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) score of 14 or higher.

Note: An NHSC-approved site may no longer be available, or its HPSA score may change, by the time you are ready to serve.

If you interview at a site and submit an official interview request via your My BHW account, we will honor the original HPSA score of the site for up to six (6) months after the date of your interview, even if the site’s HPSA score changes.

We reserve the right to make final decisions on all sites to comply with statutory requirements.

How to identify where you want to work

Review the different types of NHSC-approved sites.
Consider site size, patient population, organizational support, and work schedule options.
Think about what kind of environment and location best suit you and your family.
Make a list of your “must haves” vs. “nice to haves.”
Be flexible and keep an open mind about high-need areas across the country.
Remember the HPSA score requirement.

How to begin your job search

Start networking—follow NHSC on LinkedIn.
Set up a profile; then search the Health Workforce Connector, a database of jobs at NHSC sites.
- Don’t limit your search only to open vacancies.
- You are eligible to compete for all job vacancies in your discipline/specialty.
- Contact the site directly to apply.
Attend a Virtual Job Fair.
Contact your state Primary Care Office (PCO) or Primary Care Association (PCA) to learn about open positions, the local community, and sites that may be hiring.

Related resources

S2S LRP guidance

NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Welcome Webinar - April 23
NHSC Postgraduate Training Bulletin (PDF - 410 KB)
NHSC Students to Service Program Milestones (PDF - 158 KB)

S2S LRP assistance

Before, During, & After Your Interview (PDF - 243 KB)
From Training to Service (PDF - 264 KB)
How to Choose Your Site (PDF - 181 KB)

Date Last Reviewed:

May 2025