Financial Incentives

• The NHSC is a federal program offering loan repayment and scholarships on a national basis. It is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in the Department of Health and Human Services.
• Participation in NHSC programs must be performed in Health Professional Shortage Areas/Populations
• (HPSA/Ps). HPSA scores as well as amount of support will be determined by the NHSC each year.
• TO STAY UP TO DATE ON NEW OPPORTUNITIES/RECEIVE ALERTS – use the Health Workforce Connector

• Students pursuing a career in primary health care are eligible to receive funding for their education in exchange for practicing in rural, urban, and tribal communities with limited access to care, upon graduation and licensure.
• NHSC scholars program pays tuition, required fees, reasonable educational costs, tax free. Recipients also receive a monthly living stipend ($1,289) that is taxable.
• 1-year service commitment per scholarship year or partial scholarship year; 2-year minimum and 4-year maximum.
• Applicants may apply the last year of undergraduate school. Primary care, dentist (DDS or DMD), NP, CNM, PA’s and mental health care students are eligible.
• For more information
  National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program Fact Sheet  

• Loan repayment program offers primary health care providers loan repayment for working in rural, urban, and frontier communities. Eligible professionals include primary care, dental and mental health care providers.
• Qualifying sites are community health centers, rural health clinics, health departments, IHS, Bureau of Prisons, and some private practices option areas.
• 2 yr service commitment-minimum 40 hours/week – up to $75,000 (PC physicians, NP’s, CNM’s & PA’s)
• National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment  Fact Sheet
• Contact:
  Kelcie Creel
  Kelcie.creel@doh.nm.gov
  505-859-1227

• The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Rural Community Loan Repayment Program (LRP) supports clinicians working to combat the opioid epidemic in the nation’s rural communities. The NHSC Rural Community LRP makes loan repayment awards in coordination with the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) within the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) to provide evidence-based substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, assist in recovery, and prevent overdose deaths in rural communities across the nation.
• Three years of full-time service (minimum 40 hours/week, 45 weeks/year) Up to $100,000 Three years of half-time service (minimum 20 hours/week, 45 weeks/year)*
• Physicians • Nurse practitioners • Certified nurse midwives • Physician assistants • Behavioral health professionals • Substance use disorder counselors • Registered nurses • Pharmacists • Certified registered nurse anesthetists
• NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program Application and Program Guidance

• Under the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Students to Service Loan Repayment Program (S2S LRP), medical students, dental students and nursing students in their final year of school can receive loan repayment assistance in return for providing health care in urban, rural, or frontier communities with limited access to care.
• Upon completion of residency, 3 years of full-time or 6 years of half-time service at an NHSC-approved site.
• Full-Time Clinical Practice — no less than 40 hours per week, for a minimum of 45 weeks a year. o Half-Time Clinical Practice — no less than 20 hours per week (not to exceed 39 hours per week), for a minimum of 45 weeks per year.
• For additional information:
  NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program

  or contact the Call Customer Care Center
  at 1-800-221-9393
  Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., ET (except federal holidays)
  or use this contact form 

• The National Health Service Corps Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program (NHSC SUD Workforce LRP) expands access to evidence-based substance use disorder treatment in underserved, high-need communities across the country. The NHSC SUD Workforce LRP offers health care clinicians the opportunity to have their qualifying student loans repaid in exchange for serving at an NHSC-approved SUD treatment facility.
• Three years of full-time service (minimum 40 hours/week, 45 weeks/year) Up to $75,000 Three years of half-time service (minimum 20 hours/week, 45 weeks/year)* Up to $37,500
• To support HRSA-designated Maternity Care Target Areas (MCTAs) where there is a significant shortage of maternity care providers, the NHSC will review and approve applications from maternity care health professionals by descending Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or MCTA score, whichever is higher, and based on the funding priorities. Scores can be found on the selected NHSC-approved SUD treatment facility’s Health Workforce Connector (HWC) profile. Maternity care health professionals include: • Physicians (MD/DO) Obstetrics/Gynecology • Family medicine physicians (MD/DO) who practice obstetrics on a regular basis • Certified nurse midwives (CNM) Maternity care professionals serving exclusively in a mental HPSA are not eligible to apply to the NHSC SUD Workforce LRP
• Physicians • Nurse practitioners • Certified nurse midwives • Physician assistants • Behavioral health professionals • Substance use disorder counselors • Registered nurses • Pharmacists

• NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program

Scholarships, Loans, and Loan Repayment for Rural Health Professions

• The New Mexico Higher Education Department administers the NMHPLRP to assist currently practicing health professionals with debt incurred while in training. The award is dependent on the amount of student loan debt and on available funding. Awards are up to $33,000.00 per year.
• Recipients are eligible for renewal.
• Requires a three-year service commitment to practice full-time in a health professional shortage area.
• U.S. Citizen or permanent resident alien, New Mexico resident (12 consecutive months), licensed or certified in the state of New Mexico by the date funding begins, and employed full time (40 hours a week). Preference is given to graduates of New Mexico public post-secondary institutions.
  • The following health occupations are given priority in funding:
    Allopathic Physician, Osteopathic Physician, Physician Assistants, Advance Practice Nurses, Allied Health Care Providers, Podiatrists, Optometrists and Dentists. Here is a link for a list of eligible professions.
  • Scoring Process: A Health Advisory Committee reviews each individual application, assigning a score using a matrix in the following areas:
    HPSA Score (Federal), Service Area, Area Health Statistics Key Indicators (determined by the New Mexico Department of Health), Population Served, Priority will be given to those applicants working in designated areas of greatest need. Decisions on funding are made on a case-by-case basis and all ranking is at the discretion of the Health Advisory Committee.
• Application will be available on March 15th and are due May 1st of every year.
• Priority will be given to those applicants working in designated areas of greatest need.
• Decisions on funding are made on a case by case basis and all ranking is at the discretion of the NM Health Advisory Committee
• See NM Higher Education Dept Loan Repayment Program for an application.
• A New Mexico professional license is REQUIRED by the date funding begins.

• Sign up for email notifications, and we’ll notify you when next year’s application opens. 
• Eligible clinicians providing pediatric medical subspecialty, pediatric surgical specialty, or child and adolescent mental and behavioral health care including substance use disorder (SUD) prevention and treatment services may apply to the Pediatric Specialty LRP.
• up to $100,000 in loan repayment – A United States citizen, national, or permanent resident -Fully licensed or credentialed in an eligible discipline

• The New Mexico Medical Board (NMMB) is waiving the $400 licensure application fee for allopathic physicians and physician assistants ($150 fee) who choose New Mexico as their first state of licensure.
• The licensure application is available on the Board’s web site www.nmmb.state.nm.us
• Contact the NMMB for additional information at (505) 476-7220 or e-mail to nmbme@state.nm.us.

• The New Mexico Department of Health administers several programs for health care professionals.
• The NMHSC is for health professional students in training. Participants are required to be domiciled or have permanent residence in New Mexico and be a citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S.
• Participants must be enrolled or accepted by an accredited or approved educational program of study, or be engaged in a residency training program or preceptorship. Also, participants must be within 24 months of completion of the program of study or residency and eligible to apply for a license or certificate in the profession of study. Requires a two-year service commitment (1600 hours a year).
• Taxable stipend eligibility: Primary Care Physicians (FP, IM, OB/GYN, PED) $25,000; Family Nurse Practitioners; Physician Assistants $20,000; Dentists $25,000; Dental Hygienists $12,500-$15,000; Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic $5,000, Certified Nurse Midwife $15,000.
• Applications will be accepted starting JULY through SEPTEMBER
• For additional information
  contact Eleanor Dominguez
  Eleanor.Dominguez@doh.nm.gov
  505-288-1847

• The New Mexico Department of Health, Public Health Division, Bureau of Primary Care administers the New Mexico J1 Visa (Conrad) State 30 Waiver Program. It has contracted with New Mexico Health Resources to assist only in the recruitment phase of the program, with emphasis upon Family Practice opportunities.
• For applications and general information, contact Melanie Keams at 505-659-9588 and email is melaniej.keams@doh.nm.gov
• J-1 applications

• The New Mexico Department of Health administers the Tax Credit Program for Health Care Professionals. Eligible health care practitioners who have provided health care services in a designated rural health care underserved area can apply for an income tax credit.

• All physicians, osteopathic physicians, dentists, clinical psychologists, podiatrists & optometrists are eligible for a tax credit of $5,000 per year if working full time and pro-rated for part-time.

• Pharmacists, Dental hygienists, physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists, registered nurses, licensed clinical social workers, licensed independent social workers, professional mental health counselors, professionalclinical mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, professional art therapists, alcohol and drug abuse counselors, and physical therapists are eligible for a tax credit of $3,000 per year if working full time and pro-rated for part-time. Downloadable application from NM Health.

• For additional information contact Eleanor Dominguez Eleanor.Dominguez@doh.nm.gov 505-288-1847

• Eligible health professions include family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, geriatric medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, podiatric medicine, nursing, public health nursing, dentistry, psychiatry, osteopathic medicine, optometry, pharmacy, psychology, public health, social work, marriage and family therapy, chiropractic medicine, environmental health and engineering, and allied health professions.

• Indian Health Services Loan Repayment

The U.S. military has health professional scholarships programs, loan repayment programs, financial assistance programs, bonus programs, special pay, training assistance programs, and accession bonus programs for eligible physicians, dentists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, registered dieticians and veterinarians. Not every service supports all disciplines.

• For the U.S. Air Force see their FAQ.

• For the U.S. Army see: 

• For the U.S. Navy see: 

• The NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program is administered by the Bureau of Health Professions in HRSA. It helps alleviate the shortage of nurses across the country by offering loan repayment assistance to registered nurses and advance practice nurses, such as nurse practitioners, working at Critical Shortage facilities and nurse faculty employed at accredited schools of nursing. Program participants receive up to 60 percent of their qualifying student loans in exchange for a 2-year service commitment – and an additional 25 percent of their original loan balance for an optional third year.
• The NURSE Corps Scholarship Program helps students complete their nursing education by paying tuition, fees, other education costs, while providing a monthly living stipend. The program is open to full-time or part-time nursing students accepted or enrolled in diploma, associate, baccalaureate or graduate nursing programs at accredited schools located in the U.S. Upon graduation, scholarship program members fulfill a service commitment at a Critical Shortage Facility.
• NURSE Corps LRP payments are subject to Federal taxes.
• About the Nurse Corps 

• All LFS programs noted below are administered by the New Mexico Higher Education Department.
• Eligibility requirements include New Mexico residency (12 consecutive months), attend a public post-secondary institution in New Mexico, undergraduate or graduate, enrolled at least half-time, and demonstrate financial need,
• Student must declare his/her intent to practice as a health professional in a designated shortage area within the state of New Mexico.
• Awards vary and are financially need-based, part- time/pro-rated for allied health and nursing students.
• A three-year maximum service commitment is required in a designated New Mexico health professional shortage area within six months of graduation. Award may be renewable if application is submitted each year
• Applications
• Applications are open on May 15th and close July 1st of every year.

The purpose of the Allied Health Loan-For-Service is to increase the number of physician assistants in areas of the state which have experienced shortages of health practitioners, by making educational loans to students seeking certification/licensure in an eligible health field which include the following:

• Students in Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, Speech-language pathology, Audiology, Pharmacy, Respiratory Care, Laboratory Technology, Mental Health-Social Services, Emergency Medical Services, Nutrition, and Dental Hygiene are eligible for this program.
• New Mexico Resident (12 consecutive months
• Attend a public post-secondary institution in New Mexico
• Undergraduate or Graduate
• Enrolled at least half-time
• Demonstrate financial need (meeting all FAFSA & SAP requirements)

• Nursing students are eligible for this program.
• New Mexico Resident (12 consecutive months);
• Official Acceptance into a nursing program at a New Mexico public college or university;
• Enrolled at least half-time;
• Demonstrate financial need;
• Student must declare his/her intent to practice as a health professional in a designated shortage area within the state of New Mexico.
• The application opens every year on May 15th and closes on July 1st
• The award is based on financial need of the student. The award may not exceed $12,000.00 per year.
• The award is for a period of one year but may be renewable for up for four years upon resubmission of an application each year.

• Medical students are eligible and official acceptance into the UNM School of Medicine is required.
• Awards up to $25,000 annually, financially need-based, part-time pro-rated.
• New Mexico Resident (12 consecutive months);
• Enrolled at least half-time;
• Demonstrate financial need;
• Student must declare his/her intent to practice as a health professional in a designated shortage area within the state of New Mexico.

• The New Mexico Nurse Educator Loan-for-Service program enhanced the ability of college and university-employed nursing educators to obtain Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. For every academic year of service, a portion of the loan will be forgiven. Penalties may be assessed if the service agreement is not satisfied.

• The New Mexico Higher Education Department administers the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE) Loan-For-Service Program to allow New Mexico students to enroll at selected out-of-state graduate or professional programs which are not offered at New Mexico public universities. Eligible schools include Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine.
• New Mexico pays a support fee to the admitting school to help cover the cost of students’ education.
• As a condition of each loan, the student shall declare his/her intent to return to New Mexico to practice as a professional in their field of study. For every year of service, a portion of the loan will be forgiven.
• The application period for New WICHE Applicants is between August 1st and October 1st.
• The application period for Renewal WICHE Applicants is between May 15th and July 1st.
• WICHE Loan-For-Service Program

• The PSLF Program is intended to encourage individuals to enter and continue to work full-time in public service jobs. Under this program, you may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance due on your William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (Direct Loan Program) loans.
• You must have made 120 separate monthly payments after October 1, 2007, on the Direct Loans for which you are requesting forgiveness. Payments made before this date do not count toward meeting this requirement. Each of the 120 qualifying payments must be made for the full scheduled installment amount and no later than 15 days after the scheduled payment due date. The 120 required payments do not need to be made consecutively.
• Although loan forgiveness under this program is available only for Direct Loans, loans made under other federal student loan programs may become eligible for PSLF if they are consolidated into a Direct consolidation Loan. However, only payments made on the Direct Consolidation Loan will count toward the required 120 qualifying payments.
• The following loans may be consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan: Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans, which include the following:
  ➢ Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans
  ➢ Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
  ➢ Federal PLUS Loans—for parents and graduate or professional students
  ➢ Federal Consolidation Loans (excluding joint spousal consolidation loans)
  ➢ Federal Perkins Loans;
  ➢ Certain Health Professions and Nursing Loans
• The Direct Loan Program includes the following loans (Direct Subsidized Loans; Direct Unsubsidized Loans; Direct PLUS Loans —for parents and graduate or professional students; Direct Consolidation Loans)
• Parents who received a Direct PLUS Loan may qualify for forgiveness of the PLUS loan, if the parent borrower—not the student on whose behalf the loan was obtained—is employed by a public service organization (additional conditions apply)
• Loan Forgiveness Information

Stopped pending a court decision 7/2024

• SAVE is an Income-Driven repayment plan
• Payments are calculated based on borrower’s income and family size, not loan balances
• Remaining balances are forgiven after a certain number of years
• Information on the current status of the SAVE plan. 
• The Department of Education & loan services will reach out directly to borrowers
• Borrowers already signed up for the pre-existing Revised Pay-As-You-Earn (REPAYE) plan will be automatically enrolled in the SAVE plan