Repay Student Loans with NHSC Program
June 2, 2009 - The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (Recovery Act) provides $300 million to support the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). Approximately $200 million will enable the NHSC Loan Repayment Program to assist more than 3,300 physicians, dentists, and other primary care providers who are seeking opportunities to serve in our nation's neediest communities.
The NHSC is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the US Government agency that provides access to health care for many in this nation, and will play a key role in providing jobs and services to people impacted by the economic downturn. One way HRSA is going to do this is by investing in health care providers through its National Health Service Corps program.
National Health Service Corps clinicians are a unique group of dedicated and caring primary care providers who care for millions of people who live in communities where health care is scarce.
In exchange for two years of service at an eligible high-need site, the NHSC Loan Repayment program offers repayment of educational loans for clinicians who are providing full-time clinical services. Up to $50,000 (less if the total outstanding loan balance is lower than $50,000) towards qualifying educational loan debt is available. Clinicians who stay at their sites longer may be eligible to apply for additional years of support.
How to Apply: Clinicians can begin applying for this NHSC opportunity on June 2, 2009, at: www.nhsc.hrsa.gov. Or, for more information, call 800-221-9393.
New Features:
- More Choices of Sites and Vacancies Eligible for Loan Repayment: More than 7,000 already eligible service sites will be able to post significantly more new vacancies and increase the number of clinicians eligible for loan repayment awards at their sites. Additionally, more sites are being approved by the NHSC every day.,/li>
- First-come, First-served: Loan repayment awards to primary health care clinician applicants who are interested in loan repayment will be made on a first-come, first-served basis, opening new opportunities for areas in high-need sites located in Health Professional Shortage Areas with lower HPSA scores. Applications will be accepted on an open, continuous basis until all Recovery Act funds are expended - 15 months or sooner.
- More Application Flexibility: For the first time, primary health care clinicians interested in NHSC's loan repayment program do not need to be employed at the site at the time of application.
- More Efficient Application Process: Most applications will be processed within eight weeks of receipt of a complete application (i.e., all application supporting documentation received).
For More Information:
www.nhsc.hrsa.gov - Official NHSC Web site
www.nhscjobs.hrsa.gov - NHSC Job Opportunities
http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/join_us/lrp.asp - NHSC eligible disciplines
Robert Esdale
NHSC Analyst
Michigan Department of Community Health
esdaler@michigan.gov
517-373-2790
Ken Miller, MSA
MSLRP Specialist
Bureau of Legal and Policy Affairs
Michigan Department of Community Health
Capitol View Building, 7th Floor
201 Townsend
Lansing, MI 48913-0001
MillerK3@michigan.gov
517-241-9946 (phone)
517 241-1200 (fax)