Educational Loan Repayment & Loan Forgiveness Programs
A variety of federal and state funded educational loan repayment and loan forgiveness programs are available to health care providers to help meet the needs of Vermonters. These programs prioritize rural and underserved areas, and may cover some or all of the following professions:
- Primary care physician (MD or DO) or hospitalist, including psychiatry
- Primary care certified nurse practitioner (NP/APRN)
- Primary care physician assistant (PA)
- Certified nurse-midwife (CNM)
- Registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN)
- Educator/faculty dentist (DDS or DMD)
- Expanded function dental assistant (EFDA)
Vermont Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program
AHEC administers the Vermont Educational Loan Repayment Programs (ELRP) for primary care providers (including physicians, advanced practice nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and physician assistants); dentists; expanded function dental assistants; registered nurses and licensed practical nurses; and nurse educators/faculty working in any setting.
AHEC also administers the federally-funded State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) for primary care physicians, psychiatrists and dentists working for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs).
Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC)
VSAC administers scholarships and loan forgiveness awards for dentists, dental hygienists and nursing students.
National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
NHSC program supports many primary care, oral health and mental health providers in approved sites located in eligible designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
NURSE Corps gives nurses nationwide the opportunity to turn their passion for service into a lifelong career through the NURSE Corps Scholarship Program and the NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program.
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
The PSLF program is available to employees of many government and not-for-profit organizations regardless of your specific job. The PSLF forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer.