Loan Forgiveness
There are federal income-driven repayment (IDR) plans and federal and state programs that offer loan forgiveness. Review the AAMC Public Service Loan Forgiveness fact sheet, the AAMC’s free, searchable database of state and federal loan forgiveness programs, and visit the Federal Student Aid (FSA) website to review the income-driven repayment plans that may provide loan forgiveness if the borrower reaches the end of their repayment term and has a remaining federal student loan balance.
Commissioned Corps
The United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (USPHSCC) is the federal uniformed service of the United States Public Health Service (PHS) consisting of commissioned officers as one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The PHS Commissioned Corps fills public health leadership and service roles within federal government agencies and programs. To learn more about being a medical officer in USPHS, review this website.
Service Programs
As a civil servant (public sector employee working for a government department or agency) you may meet the qualifying criteria for a scholarship, loan repayment assistance, or loan forgiveness. Opportunities exist to serve through the Indian Health Service (IHS), the Centers For Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HRSA), as well as other federal agencies.
National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
The National Health Service Corps supports primary care medical, dental, and behavioral health providers through scholarships and loan repayment programs. These programs have increased access to health care in communities with health professional shortages. Students may be interested in exploring the NHSC Scholarship Program, NHSC Loan Repayment Program, NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program, NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program, NHSC State Loan Repayment Program or the Students to Service (S2S) Loan Repayment Program.
Military Programs
The Medicine + The Military website provides an overview of military medicine, the application process and expectations, information about education, training, lifestyle, and careers. Some medical professionals receive a military scholarship or participate in a loan repayment program. The qualifications and commitments for programs vary, so research your options with the different branches of the military. Possible links to explore include Air Force, Army Medical Department (AMEDD), and the Navy Medical Corps.
