The National Institutes of Health provides retroactive college grants to researchers through its loan repayment programs. NIH loan repayment programs will repay up to $35,000 of student loan debt per year, in addition to a regular salary. NIH offers loan repayment programs for clinical research, pediatric research, health disparities research and research addressing contraception and infertility as well as a clinical research repayment program specifically for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. In order to be eligible, a student must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States and must be conducting research that is supported by a nonprofit organization, government agency or institution of higher learning. Interested students should visit the NIH loan repayment program website for complete program details.
866-849-4047
lrp.nih.gov
The Health Resources and Services Administration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services offers retroactive college grants to former nursing students through the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program. This program forgives up to 60% of an applicant's college loan debt in exchange for 2 years of service in an underserved area of the United States or up to 85% of an applicant's college loan debt in exchange for 3 years of service. An applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in order to qualify for this program. Preference will be given to applicants whose total loan debt is at least 40% of their current base salary. The annual deadline for application falls in March or April. Prospective applicants should visit the HRSA website for more information.
Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program
c/o HRSA Document Center
12530 Parklawn Drive, Suite 350
Rockville, MD 20852
800-221-9393
hrsa.gov
The Washington State Health Professional Loan Repayment Program provides retroactive college grants to former students now working as health professionals. Applicants may receive up to $25,000 of repayment per year for 3 years, and applicants that stay in the program for a fourth or fifth year may receive $35,000 in repayment for each year after their third. Eligible positions include physician, physician's assistant, nurse, nurse practitioner, midwife, pharmacist, dentist or dental hygienist. To be eligible, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen and must sign a contract stating that they will maintain full-time employment in an underserved area of Washington state for a minimum of 3 years. Interested persons should visit the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board website for more information.
Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board
917 Lakeridge Way
PO Box 43430
Olympia, WA 98504-3430
360-753-7800
hecb.wa.gov