Qualified health care clinicians can apply for student loan repayment in return for serving at National Health Services Corps-approved sites. NHSC sites are generally located in areas where this is a documented shortage of primary care. Due to recent program expansion, clinicians are encouraged to apply even if their worksite has not been competitive in the past. You can apply to one of the three loan repayment programs through Thursday, February 3, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. ET.

If you need help determining your employer’s eligibility, this NHSC online map of approved sites with poverty levels might help. It is also possible to reach out to the Illinois state lead for NHSC: Amir Izadi (aizadi@hrsa.gov) or Ms. Judith Sayad at the Illinois AHEC Program Office (jvsayad@uic.edu).

This year, there are three loan repayment programs:

1. NHSC Loan Repayment Program – awards up to $50,000 in exchange for a two-year commitment to provide primary medical, dental or mental/behavioral health care at approved sites in high-need, underserved areas. NHSC LRP recipients are eligible to extend their service and potentially pay off all of their educational debt with continuation contracts.

2. NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program – provides up to $75,000 in exchange for a three-year commitment to health care professionals who provide substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services at NHSC-approved SUD treatment facilities. Clinicians with DATA 2000 Waivers can receive award preference.

3. NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program – Providers in rural communities may apply to the NHSC Rural Community LRP, which awards up to $100,000 for three years of service. You are eligible for preference if you work at an NHSC-approved Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Consortium member facility.

NHSC is sponsoring two Q&A sessions (both from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET). At the sessions, you can find out which program is best for you and get help with your application.

Links to join a session: on Tuesday, December 14  •  Tuesday, January 11  •  Tuesday, January 18