And we’re back!
I hope you enjoyed yesterday’s article which highlighted the federal loan programs available to pay down and/or forgive your student loans.
This article is long as it is so let’s get right to it!
State Government Loan Programs
States with Student Loan Repayment – Some states such as Kansas and Nebraska, have certain counties designated as Rural Improvement Zones. In exchange for simply living in these areas for a certain length of time can earn you loan forgiveness amounts which vary by program.
Work in High Need Professions – Similar to the federal program described above, there are several states that offer full or partial loan forgiveness in exchange for serving in high need fields like education and nursing.
Specific State Programs – Following is a list of specific state programs provided by the SALT guide sponsored by ASA (American Student Assistance)2. Note that this list is not all-inclusive, be sure to check online for any additional programs your state might offer.
Alaska Supporting Health Care Access Through Loan Repayment: Licensed health care professionals working in designated shortage areas for 2+ years can receive up to $35k annually for 2 years.
Arizona Early Childhood Therapist Incentives Program: Early childhood (birth – age 5) therapists in speech pathology, OT/PT, psychology or mental health in specified areas can receive $15-$25k depending on the type of therapy, in addition to stipends up to $19k.
Arizona Loan Repayment Program: Health care providers (MDs and DOs) in family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics or dentistry who practice at an eligible facility can receive loan forgiveness up to $40k annually(depending on their facility’s ranking) from their second through fourth years in service. Annual amount varies each year of eligibility. Facility rankings are determined by community need (rural, population-to-provider ratio, distance to nearest provider, etc.) PAs, RNs and midwives can also receive tiered assistance up to $15k, depending on year in service and facility ranking.
Arkansas State Teacher Assistance Resource Program: Full time teachers who received their teaching degree after 4/1/04, have been a resident of Arkansas for at least 6 months, and teach in a designated area or subject of shortage are eligible to receive up to $6k per year (area & subject shortage) or $3k per year (area shortage only) for up to 3 years.
California Bachelor of Science Nursing Loan Repayment Program: Licensed RNs with BSN degrees serving at least 2 years in a designated underserved area or in a county, state, prison or veterans facility can receive up to $8k for their first award and up to $11k for a second award.
California Army/Air National Guard Student Loan Repayment Program: Prior, non-prior or reenlisting soldiers in the California Army/Air National Guard committed to a 6 year service agreement can receive $7,500 annually with a lifetime maximum of $50k.
California State Loan Repayment Program: Licensed primary health care providers who are California residents and have served full time for 2+ years in a designated shortage area can receive up to a maximum of $160k paid in annual increments, depending on the length of their commitment.
California Health Professions Loan Repayment Program: Licensed dentists, dental hygienists, nurse practitioners, midwives, Pas and clinical nurse specialists who provide full time direct patient care in a designated underserved area or a county, state, prison or veterans facility can receive up to $20k in loan repayment.
California Mental Health Loan Assumption Program: Health professionals serving a 12 month+ obligation in the County Public Mental Health System may receive up to $10k in loan repayment. Eligible professions are determined per county.
Colorado Health Service Corps: Licensed health care providers who are Colorado residents can receive up to $35k per year for up to 3 years by providing services to a designated percentage of patients in financial need; dentists may receive an additional $25k for an additional 2 year commitment.
DC Health Professional Loan Repayment Program: Health care providers serving 2-4 years at an eligible site can receive 18% of their debt in year 1, 26% in year 2 and 28% in years 3 and 4. The maximum total award for physicians and dentists is $140k and the maximum for Dental Hygienists, RNs, Advanced practice nurses, PAs, Clinical Social Workers, Clinical Psychologists and Professional counselors is $77k.
Delaware State Loan Repayment Program: Designated health care providers serving 2 to 3 years of service in a designated underserved area can receive up to $105k (advanced degree practitioners) or $52k (mid-level degree practitioners).
Florida Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness Program: Licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced registered nurse practitioners may receive up to $4k per year for up to 4 years for serving in eligible state-run facilities.
Georgia Physicians for Rural Areas Assistance Program: Physicians practicing at least 40 hours per week in a Georgia county with less than 35k people who participate in Medicaid can receive up to $25k per year for up to 4 years.
Hawaii State Loan Repayment Program: Healthcare professionals (physicians, physician assistants or nurse practitioners) who commit to at least 2 years in designated shortage areas can receive up to $40k per year (tax-free!)
Illinois Nurse Educator Loan Repayment Program: Nurse educators meeting state licensing requirements who are Illinois residents can receive up to $5k per year for 4 years for instructing practical or professional nurses in an approved state institution for at least 12 consecutive months prior to applying.
Illinois Teachers and Child Care Providers Loan Repayment Program: Illinois resident teachers who have previously received Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness can receive up to $5k for teaching at least 5 years in a designated low-income elementary or secondary school or working full time in a designated low-income childcare facility for at least 2 years.
Illinois Veterans’ Home Nurse Loan Repayment Program: Licensed nurses who are Illinois residents practicing in an Illinois veterans’ home can receive up to $5k.
Illinois John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program: Licensed attorneys can receive up to $4k per year with a lifetime maximum of $60k for serving as a full time employee of the state of Illinois prosecuting or representing criminal or juvenile delinquency cases.
Iowa Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program: Graduates of Des Moines University who practice as an osteopathic doctor, physician assistant, podiatrist, or physical therapist for at least 4 years can receive up to $50k.
Iowa Registered Nurse and Nurse Education Loan Forgiveness Program: Registered nurses or nurse educators employed starting after 4/1/07 can receive up to 20% of their total eligible federal student loan balance but this cannot exceed the average resident tuition rate for Iowa’s Regent Universities students in the year following graduation. This award can be received up to 5 consecutive years.
Iowa Teacher Loan Forgiveness: Fully licensed teachers who began teaching after 7/1/07 and who teach in a designated shortage subject area can receive up to 20% of their eligible student loan balance per year but cannot exceed the average resident tuition rate for Iowa’s Regent Universities students in the year following graduation.
Kansas Bridging Plan: Physicians in a Kansas residency program in family practice, internal medicine or pediatrics who commit to practicing 36 continuous months in a rural Kansas community after their residency can receive up to $26k.
Kansas State Loan Repayment Program: Health professionals who commit to at least 2 years to a designated eligible public or nonprofit facility that allows all residents regardless of payment ability can receive up to $30k per year for up to 2 years (physicians and dentists) or up to $25k for up to 2 years (all other health professionals).
Kentucky Large/Food Animal Veterinary Incentive Program: Veterinarians or veterinary technicians who practice mostly large/food animal medicine in Kentucky can receive up to $6k per year for up to 3 years; must apply within first 2 years after graduation.
Maine Dental Loan Repayment Program: Dentists practicing in eligible designated underserved dental facilities can receive up to $20k per year with a lifetime max of $80k.
Maryland Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Program: Applicants must be a Maryland resident, a graduate of a Maryland institution, work full time in a state or local government or nonprofit agency, work serving low income or underserved residents, and make less than $60k per year gross ($130k combined if married). Eligible professions are lawyers, nurses, nurse faculty, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, speech pathologists, PAs and teachers. Annual award depends on amount of total debt owed and can be earned for up to 3 years.
Maryland Loan Assistance Repayment Program: Primary care physicians committed to practicing for 2-4 years at an eligible public, government or nonprofit facility treating all patients regardless of payment ability can receive total repayment not to exceed $100k.
Maryland Nancy Grasmick Teacher Award: Teachers with at least 2 years of teaching in Maryland in the subjects of science, engineering, or math; OR in a school with at least 75% of students in the free meal program while also having earned the highest performance rating for the prior year are eligible to apply; must apply to find out eligible repayment.
Massachusetts Loan Repayment Program: Qualified health professionals employed at a public or nonprofit organization in a designated shortage area can receive up to $25k per year for up to 2 years.
Minnesota Loan Forgiveness Program: Eligible health professionals committed to 3 years or more of service can receive up to $25k per year for up to 4 years; amount determined by field and location of practice.
Minnesota Martha Mordini Rukavina Loan Forgiveness Program: Full time dentists devoting at least 25% of time to patients in state programs or sliding fee scales for at least 3 years can receive up to $30k per year for up to 4 years.
Mississippi Teacher Loan Repayment Program: Teachers with a Mississippi Alternate Route Teaching License teaching in a critical teacher or subject shortage area can receive up to $3k annually for up to 4 years.
Montana Quality Educator Loan Assistance Program: Full time teachers in a public, state funded, special education cooperative or the Montana Youth Challenge Program who teach at a designated “impacted” school and in a shortage area can receive up to $3k per year for up to 4 years.
New Mexico Health Professional Loan Repayment Program: Eligible health professionals making a 2 year service commitment to a designated medical shortage area can receive up to $35k annually.
New Mexico Teacher Loan Repayment Program: Licensed New Mexico teachers who have been residents for at least 12 months and commit to teach at a public school not meeting acceptable academic proficiency standards are eligible; must apply to determine amount.
New York District Attorney and Indigent Legal Services Attorney Loan Forgiveness Program: Eligible attorneys who are New York residents of at least one year may receive annual amounts determined at application, however, maximum repayment is $20k.
New York Regents Physician Loan Forgiveness Award Program: Licensed New York primary care physicians who have completed their residency within 5 years of applying and commit to serve at least 2 years in a designated underserved area can apply; must apply to determine amount.
New York State Licensed Social Worker Loan Forgiveness Program: Licensed New York social workers who have been a New York resident at least 1 year and have at least 1 year of service to a designated critical service area can receive up to $6,500 per year for up to with a maximum of $26k.
New York Nursing Faculty Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program: Licensed New York nurses who have been a New York resident at least 1 year and have a masters degree in nursing and qualified service can receive up to $8k per year with a total maximum of $40k.
North Dakota Loan Repayment – State Program Dentists: North Dakota dentists practicing in an area of designated need and willing to go under contract for 4 years with the state department of health can receive up to $80k in repayment.
North Dakota Loan Repayment – State Program Physicians: North Dakota physicians willing to go under contract for at least 2 years in a selected community can receive up to $90k.
North Dakota Loan Repayment – State Program Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and Certified Nurse Midwives: North Dakota nurses, PAs and midwives in a designated area of need and willing to go under contract for 2 years in a selected community can receive up to $30k in repayment.
North Dakota Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Occupations Student Loan Program: North Dakota graduates with a GPA of at least 2.5 employed in a board approved STEM occupation for 12 months can receive up to $1,500 annually with a maximum total of $6k.
North Dakota Teacher Shortage Loan Forgiveness Program: North Dakota teachers in a grade level or content area identified as having teacher shortages can receive up to $1k annually with a total maximum of $3k.
North Dakota Veterinarian Loan Repayment Program: North Dakota veterinarians providing services in a designated area of need completing a contract of at least 2 years can receive up to $15k per year for 2 years, then up to $25k per year for years 3 and 4.
Oklahoma Dental Loan Repayment Program: Oklahoma dentists practicing in a designated underserved area with at least 30% of patients receiving Medicare can receive up to $25k per year for 2 – 5 years, however, only 5 dentists in the state receive the award per year.
Oregon Partnership State Loan Repayment Program: Primary care healthcare providers in a designated area willing to sign a minimum 2 year contract can receive up to the lesser of $35k or 25% of their qualifying debt.
Rhode Island Dental Educational Loan Repayment Program: Licensed dentists or dental hygienists practicing in a designated safety net site in Rhode Island can receive up to $25k annually (dentists) or $10k annually (hygienists) for a 2 year commitment.
Rhode Island Educational Loan Repayment Program for Primary Care Providers: Licensed physicians, nurses and PAs newly recruited to practice in Rhode Island in internal medicine, family medicine or pediatrics can receive up to $20k annually for 4 years (physicians) or $10k annually for 4 years (nurses and PAs).
Rhode Island RISLA Loan Forgiveness for Internships: Students of Rhode Island institutions or Rhode Island residents attending out of state schools who complete an eligible academic internship and graduate can receive $2k in exchange for the internship. Applies only to non-federal student loans held by the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA).
Rhode Island RISLA Nurse Educators Loan Forgiveness Program: Nurse educators hired after 4/1/12 at a Rhode Island institution licensed by the RI Board of Nursing Registration can receive up to $5k per year for up to 4 years.
Texas Teach for Texas Loan Forgiveness: Teachers in a designated low income area school who teach in a designated subject shortage area can receive up to $2,500 per year.
Vermont Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive: Employees in an eligible STEM position with 18 months of their graduation date can receive up to $1,500 per year for up to 5 years.
Washington Alternative Routes Program: Teachers willing to make a 2 year commitment in a designated subject shortage area can receive up to $3k annually.
Wisconsin Nurses for Wisconsin Program: Qualified nurses who enroll in a PhD program at designated Wisconsin institutions, are awarded the fellowship and make a 3 year commitment to a faculty position can receive up to $50k toward student loan repayment.
Wyoming Healthcare Professional Loan Repayment Program: Full time Wyoming health care professionals who treat Medicare, Medicaid and Kid Care patients can receive up to $30k per year for 3 years (dentists and physicians) or $10k annually for up to 3 years (all other health care professionals).
How’s that for an exhaustive list? Now this is by no means the final list as new programs are being added (and removed) regularly so we’ll do out best to keep up with them as they change.
Do me a favor? Let me know if you don’t see your program here on the list and mention it in the comments below. Was this helpful?
Last favor – I promise! Please share this article with your friends if you found it useful. So many are struggling with student loans and I know it’ll be really helpful to someone if they have a program that might help them out.