Other Loan Assistance Programs

Indian Health Service’s Loan Repayment Program (LRP)

• Indian Health Service’s LRP is a competitive program that awards up to $20,000 a year for a two year commitment to work in a Service-approved site. Eligible professions include physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, optometrists, therapists, psychologists, social workers, environmental health, and other allied health professions. Additional information is available on their website: http://www.ihs.gov/JobsCareerDevelop/DHPS/LRP/index.html.

National Health Service Corps (NHSC)

• The Health Resources and Services Administration’s NHSC is a competitive program that awards up to $50,000 in education loan repayment funds for health care providers who agree to work for two years in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). This program is similar to Wisconsin’s Health Professions Loan Assistance Program and is open to physicians, dentists, advance practice nurses (NPs, PAs, CNMs), dental hygienists and mental health professionals. Information on the federal program is available at http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/join_us/lrp.asp. The NHSC is administered by the WI Department of Health and Family Services; additional information is available on their website: http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/localhealth/primarycare/Loan&Scholarship.htm.

Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (NELRP)

• The Health Resources and Services Administration’s NELRP is a competitive program that repays 60% of the qualifying loan balance of eligible registered nurses, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs) and physician assistants (PAs). Those selected for funding must agree to work for 2 years at a critical shortage facility. Participants may be eligible to work a third year and receive an additional 25% of their qualifying loan balance. More information on NELRP is available at http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/loanrepay.htm, including the application and information on critical shortage facilities.