Many rural areas experience shortages of physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, and other essential health care providers. Many government and private sources offer programs which assist students with the cost of education in health care fields through grants, loans, fellowships, scholarships, and student loan repayment.
Some programs require a specified term of service in an underserved area or have other special conditions. General student financial aid is also available to qualified applicants. This guide is designed to help you locate programs and organizations which make health education more accessible and affordable.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Tools
College Access Challenge Grant (CACG) Consortium and Network
Web site
Offers news, meeting minutes, presentations, and additional resources that support the work of the CACG consortium and network, which helps CACG state partners learn from each other and assists them with developing and implementing grant programs. State discussion forums are accessible here (login required for this portion of the site).
Community HealthCorps
Web site
Promotes health care for America's underserved. Works to increase access to health care, provide health education, support use of health care services, and recruit and develop volunteers to support community health centers.
Directory of State Primary Care Offices (PCOs)
Web site
Lists contact information for each state's Primary Care Office (PCO). PCOs represent the needs of the underserved populations and the providers who serve them. These offices can provide information on Conrad 30 J-1 Visa Waiver programs, loan repayment programs, and recruitment and retention.
DisabilityInfo.gov: Financial Aid and Scholarships
Web site
Lists federal, state, and local scholarships, loans, and grants for students with disabilities, including veterans.
GovLoans.gov
Web site
Single point of access for information about Federal loan programs from the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA), Commerce, Education (FSA), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Graduate School Student Loan Center
Database
Provides information on graduate Stafford loans, Grad PLUS loans, private graduate loans, scholarships, and loan programs for medical school, plus repayment information.
HRSA in Your State
Web site
Offers summaries of HRSA programs operating in each state down to the county level. Also provides state-specific information about health centers, National Health Service Corps and the communities they serve, the number of participating providers through the 340B program, and identifies shortage designation areas within each state.
HRSA Loans & Scholarships
Web site
Provides information on HRSA health professions loan repayment, scholarship and loan programs, which help to encourage and enable clinicians to work in underserved areas.
Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program
Database
Contains information on the IHS Loan Repayment Program for health professionals committed to practicing for two years at an IHS or other Indian health program.
Loan Repayment/Forgiveness Scholarship Programs
Database
Provides detailed information about State and Federal repayment programs, and loan and scholarship programs available to medical and other health professions students.
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program (LRP)
Database
Describes the loan repayment process of the National Health Service Corps (NHSC).
National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)
Database
Database of federal student loan borrowers. If you are a borrower of a U.S. Department of Education loan, you can find out information about your student loans.
NIH Loan Repayment Programs
Database
Provides competitive programs that offer repayment of up to $35,000 per year of educational loan debt for scientists conducting biomedical and behavioral research.
Scholarships & Loans
Database
Contains information on where to find entities that offer loan repayment programs and/or student scholarships made possible through funding from HRSA. Such programs are available within various health professional fields of study, to teaching health centers, and Area Health Education Centers (AHECS).
Stafford Loan Resource Center
Database
Provides information on federal Stafford, PLUS and alternative student loans. Discusses the loan process, completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to completing the application through receiving your check.
State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
Database
Lists states that receive matching funds from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to operate their own loan repayment programs for primary care health professionals providing services in Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Student Aid on the Web
Web site
Presents information on preparing for and funding education beyond high school.
Funding
ADA Scholarship Programs
The ADA Foundation funds scholarships for dental students, minority dental students and allied dental students including dental hygiene, dental assisting and dental laboratory technology.
Advanced Nursing Education Grants
Grants are awarded to eligible institutions for projects that support the enhancement of advanced nursing education and practice.
Affordable Care Act State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
Grants to States to assist them in providing support to health professions to repay educational debt who in turn agree to provide primary health services in Federally designated health professional shortage area (HPSAs).
AfterCollege/AACN Nursing Scholarship Fund
This scholarship program scholarship program for students pursuing professional nursing education programs.
Bound Tree Medical Legacy Scholarship
Scholarships for students to pursue an EMT career or to further their training.
Coca-Cola Foundation
Support for water stewardship, healthy active lifestyles, community recycling, and education.
Dentist Loan Repayment Program
Funding to support efforts to recruit and/or retain 10 dentists to provide oral health care services in shortage areas by provide grant funds to participants to assist with repayment of outstanding qualifying educational loans.
Faculty Loan Repayment Program (FLRP)
A loan repayment program for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who serve as faculty at eligible health professions schools for a minimum of two years.
Foundation of the NSNA Promise of Nursing Scholarship
Awards scholarships to qualified nursing students.
Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program for Repayment of Health Professions Educational Loans
Loan repayment program for health professions educational loans (undergraduate and graduate) in return for full-time clinical service in Indian health programs.
Johnson and Johnson/UCLA Healthcare Executive Program
A management development program exclusively for executive directors and leaders of community-based health care organizations.
Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation Grants
Supports domestic health professional education.
Montana NHSC State Loan Repayment Program
This program provides a loan repayment option for up to nine health care providers with qualified educational loans.
Montana Rural Physician Incentive Program (MRPIP)
Funding to assist in the recruitment and retention of primary care physicians in medically underserved areas of rural Montana.
National Health Service Corps Recruitment and Retention Assistance
Assistance for qualifying practice sites in recruiting and retaining community-responsive, culturally competent primary care clinicians.
Nissan North America, Inc. Scholarship
Scholarships to outstanding American Indian sophomore students currently enrolled in tribal colleges and universities.
Northwest Rural Nurse Residency Program
Funding to provide rural nurses in Idaho and the Intermountain Region with a rural generalist residency.
Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program for Future Nurses (NEALP)
Financial assistance to Ohio nursing students.
Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program for Future Nurse Instructors (NEALP)
Loan forgiveness program for faculty member instructing licensed practical nursing and/or registered nursing course work to future nurses in the State of Ohio
Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) Program – Interprofessional Collaborative Practice
Grants for projects that create and/or expand Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (IPCP) environments where nurses and other professional disciplines join together to provide comprehensive healthcare services for patients and their families.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Borrowers may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance due on their eligible federal student loans after they have made 120 payments on those loans under certain repayment plans while employed full time by certain public service employers.
Rural Dental Scholarship Program
A scholarship program for rural dental students.
Rural Development Leadership Network
The Rural Development Leadership Network assists community leaders to strengthen their practical skills, knowledge and credentials while remaining involved in their community development work.
Rural Illinois Medical Student Assistant Program (RIMSAP)
Students receive low-interest-rate loans. This program is designed to provide doctors to rural communities in Illinois. Students must be willing to specialize in family practice or another primary health care field.
Sovereign Nations Scholarship Fund
Scholarships are available to students of any American Indian Nation, enrolled in any major, undergraduate, graduate or professional school, attending both tribal colleges and mainstream universities.
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program
Grants to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program - FFEL and Direct Loan Programs
Loan forgiveness program for teachers.
Inactive Funding
Inactive Funding Opportunities -
Lists additional funding programs for this topic that are not currently accepting applications. Programs that are inactive may be offered again in the future.
Regulations, Forms & Other Useful Documents
2011-2012 Counselors and Mentors Handbook on Federal Student Aid: A Guide for Those Advising Students About Financial Aid for Postsecondary Education
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Education
Provides information on financial resources for those pursuing secondary education.
Date: 01 / 2011
Bringing Adults Back to College: Designing and Implementing a Statewide Concierge Model
Sponsoring organization: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
Discusses the Concierge Model and the role of a reentry concierge at colleges and universities, including helping returning adult students navigate the application, enrollment, and registration processes and overcome barriers to college success.
Date: 11 / 2010
College Access Challenge Grant (CACG) Program, 2011
Sponsoring organization: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
Describes practices and lessons learned in Alaska, Nevada, North Dakota, and Washington during the second year of the federal College Access Challenge Grant program. Includes rural locations.
Date: 02 / 2011
Completing the 2012-13 FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Education
Provides the FAFSA form for 2012-2013. Explains how to fill it out, application deadlines, and questions and answers.
Date: 01 / 2012
EFC Formula, 2011-2012
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Education
Discusses the EFC, the Expected Family Contribution, which is the amount a family can be expected to contribute towards a student's college costs.
Date: 2011
Funding Your Education: The Guide to Federal Student Aid 2012-2013
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Education
Provides information on federal financial student aid programs and how to apply.
Date: 01 / 2012
Health Centers and Health Care Reform: National Health Service Corps
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers
Outlines the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's (ACA) five-year expenditure plan for the National Health Service Corps.
Health Professions Programs: Educating and Training Health Professionals to Serve All Communities, FY 2010 Brochure
Sponsoring organization: Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition
Discusses Titles VII and VIII of the Public Health Service Act which are health professions programs that support the training and education of health care providers with the aim of enhancing the supply, diversity, and distribution of the workforce, filling the
gaps in the health professions' supply.
Date: 2009
National Health Service Corps Site Reference Guide
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
Provides clarity on NHSC site eligibility requirements, qualification factors, compliance, roles and responsibilities, as well as a number of other key elements on becoming an NHSC-approved site. Serves as an additional resource to supplement the information contained in the Site Application and the Site Application Instructions.
Date: 03 / 2012
Rural Community Colleges Get Creative in Raising Funds
Author(s): Corey Murray
Sponsoring organization: American Association of Community Colleges
Discusses fundraising strategies rural colleges try in order to offset their low budgets. Discusses how in rural communities, remote colleges lack close ties to large corporate benefactors or generous individual donors.
Journal citation: Community College Journal
Date: 02 / 2011
Organizations
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
National organization
The national voice for America's baccalaureate- and higher-degree nursing education programs and offers scholarships and financial aid resources for nursing students.
American Indian College Fund
Tribal organization
Provides scholarship funds for American Indian students at qualified tribal colleges and universities.
American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
National organization
Association of physicians-in-training in the United States.
Bureau of Clinician Recruitment and Service (BCRS)
Federal government
Coordinates the recruitment and retention of health professionals into the healthcare system and supports communities' efforts to build more integrated and sustainable systems of care. Part of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Council on Graduate Medical Education (COGME)
Federal government
Provides an ongoing assessment of physician workforce trends, training issues and financing policies, plus recommends appropriate federal and private sector efforts on these issues.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Federal government
Works to improve and expand access to quality health care for all. Part of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Health Workforce Information Center (HWIC)
National organization
Provides free access to resources on health workforce. Operated by the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences and funded by the Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
Federal government
Works to improve the health of the underserved by recruiting and retaining the health professionals to deliver health care in underserved communities. Provides technical assistance to federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) on projects that enhance the NHSC's site development mission. Part of the Bureau of Health Professionals, Health Resources and Services Administration.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Federal government
Federal focal point for medical research in the United States. Comprises 27 separate Institutes and Centers and is one of eight health agencies of the Public Health Service. Offers Loan Repayment Programs.
Nellie Mae Corporation
Commercial
Offers student loan programs to help families pay for college.
U.S. Department of Education (ED)
Federal government
Works to ensure equal access to education, and to promote educational excellence for all Americans.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Federal government
Provides programs for U.S. Veterans. Website including information on health, education, loans, and general benefits.
Terms & Acronyms
Accrued Interest Unpaid interest that accumulates on the principal balance of a loan.
Applicant Person who applies for a loan, grant, scholarship, or fellowship.
Bridge Loan Loan that provides short-term financing for tuition payments and books while the student is waiting to receive college financial aid. To obtain a bridge loan, contact the financial aid office at your college.
Critical Shortage Facilities (CSF) Health care facilities with a critical shortage of medical personnel.
Default Failure to repay a loan in accordance with the terms agreed upon. Default occurs after 270 days of non-payment on an account for Title IV loan programs.
Deferment Approved, temporary suspension of loan payments based on certain events and criteria.
Direct Loan Student loan program administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Students borrow directly from the federal government instead of from a private lender.
Eligible Loan Education loan acceptable to an accredited school and made by a bank, credit union, savings and loan association, insurance company, accredited school, government, or other financial or credit institution in its capacity as lender.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Amount, set by law, that is a measure of a family's finances. Based on family earnings, assets, students in college and the size of the family. Used in determining the financial need for federal student aid.
Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFEL) Private lenders who provide federally supported loans.
Federal Pell Grant Money that does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree.
Fellowship Financed research post, given to a post graduate student, providing study facilities and privileges in return for teaching services.
Financial Need Difference between a student's educational costs and the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Form used to determine whether or not a person qualifies for financial aid.
Grace Period Period between when a student graduates, leaves school either unofficially or officially, or drops below half-time and when loan payments must begin. This length of time depends on the type of federal student loan.
Grant Need-based financial aid that does not have to be repaid. May be offered by the Federal or state government, college or private foundation.
Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) Geographic regions that have shortages of professionals working in primary medical care, dental or mental health care. HPSAs may be urban or rural areas, population groups or medical or other public facilities. Geographically, HPSAs can be cities or towns, counties or groups of counties. HPSA designations are reviewed and revised annually by the Secretary of Health and Human Services based on criteria set forth in the Public Health Service Act.
Health Professional Shortage Area - Mental Health (HPSA - Mental Health) HPSA designation for a shortage of mental healthcare professionals that requires three criteria are met. First, the area must be a rational area for delivery of mental healthcare services. Second, the ratio of population to existing providers must meet at least one of several criteria detailed in the Health Professional Shortage Area Mental Health Designation Criteria listed on the Bureau of Health Professions website. Also, the area under consideration must have mental health professionals in continuous (nearby/adjoining) areas that are over utilized, excessively distant or inaccessible.
Health Professional Shortage Area - Primary Care (HPSA - Primary Care) HPSA designation for a shortage of primary care health professionals that meets three requirements. First, the area must be a rational area for delivery of primary medical care services. Second, the ratio of population to existing providers must meet or exceed 3,500 people to every single provider or meet or exceed a ratio of 3,000 to 1 and have an unusually high level of need. Lastly, the area under consideration must have primary medical care professionals in continuous (nearby/adjoining) areas that are over utilized, excessively distant or inaccessible.
Health Professional Shortage Area - Dental Care (HPSA - Dental Care) The federal designation for a shortage of dental care health professionals that meets the following three criteria. First, the area must be a rational area for delivery of dental care services. Second, the ratio of population to existing providers must meet or exceed 5,000 people to every single provider or meet or exceed a ratio of 4,000 to 1 and have an unusually high level of need for dental services. Lastly, the area under consideration must have dental care professionals in continuous (nearby/adjoining) areas that are over utilized, excessively distant or inaccessible.
Institutional Aid Money that individual schools themselves award to students.
Interest Dollar amount charged to borrow money.
Loan Money lent for a specified period of time at a specific interest rate. Collateral is often necessary to receive the loan.
National Student Loan Data System (NSLDA) Database of federal student loan borrowers.
Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (NELRP) Offers registered nurses substantial assistance to repay educational loans in exchange for service in critical shortage facilities.
Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Also called a Parent Loan. Enables qualifying parents, with good credit, to borrow money for their dependent student's education. Parents will begin repaying the loan 60 days after the school receives the entire amount or payments may be postponed. These are available through the Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan Program.
Perkins Loan Low interest loan offered by some schools for undergraduates and graduate students. The school is the lender.
PLUS Pro Graduate or professional students may borrow a PLUS loan in their own name to cover educational expenses.
Scholarships Financial aid provided to a scholar due to academic performance, athletic skills, or other criteria. This money usually does not have to be paid back.
Stafford Loans Loans made available to students through the Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan Program. Available to students who are enrolled half-time or more. May be subsidized or unsubsidized. Repayment begins six months after graduation or ceasing to be enrolled at least half-time.
Student Aid Report (SAR) Report you receive after you submit your FAFSA that summarizes the information. The schools you list on your application receive electronic copies of your SAR.
Subsidized Loan Awarded on the basis of financial need. No interest is charged before repayment of the loan. The Federal government pays interest until repayment begins, as well as during approved periods of deferment.
Unsubsidized Loan Not awarded on the basis of financial need. Interest is charged from the time the loan is given until it is paid in full.
Work-Study Program A federal program based on financial need for college students that provides funds earned through part-time employment to assist students in financing the costs of postsecondary education.
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