AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that engage more than 50,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health and the environment.  AmeriCorps members serve through more than 2,100 nonprofit, public agencies, and faith-based organizations.  They tutor and mentor youth, build affordable housing, teach computer skills, clean parks and streams, run after-school programs, and help communities respond to disasters.  Created in 1993, AmeriCorps is part of the Corporation for the National and Community Service, which also oversees Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America.  Together these programs engage more than 2 million Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service each year.  AmeriCorps is open to U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents aged 17 or older.  Members serve full or part time over a 10 to 12 month period.  Full-time members receive an education award of $4,725 to pay for college, graduate school, or to pay back student loans.  They also receive health insurance, training, and student loan deferment.  About half of the members also receive a modest annual living allowance of about $9,300 along with health insurance,  Members who serve part-time receive a partial education award.  To learn more about joining AmeriCorps, go to www.americorps.org/joining or call 1-800-942-2677 or (TTY 1-800-833-3722).

CHILD CARE PROVIDER LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM

(Contingent upon funding by Congress)  This program is intended to bring more highly trained individuals into the early child care profession and retain those providers for longer periods of time.  An applicant must have received an associate or bachelor's degree in early childhood.  The amount of forgiveness may be up to 100% of a borrower's outstanding balance.  Please contact the forgiveness program for additional requirements and an application at: PO Box 4639, Utica, NY  13504-4639.  Phone 1-888-562-7002.  www.studentaid.ed.gov

DELTA DENTAL

Delta Dental offers up to $75,000 over 3 years in loan repayment to dentist practicing in the state of Washington in dentist shortage areas.  The application deadline is April 1.  If you would like addition information, please contact Dianne Riter at 206-729-5507 or driter@deltadentalwa.com

HEALTH PROFESSION LOAN REPAYMENT AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Loan Repayment Programs are sponsored by national, state and local governments, and some private organizations, where health care provides are recruited to practice in designated health professional shortage areas.  Participants are provided with living stipends and funds to repay educational and health care professions loans.  Most contracts require a 2 to 4 year commitment, but individual program information should be consulted.  Click here to access additional information.

NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE CORPS (NHSC) LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM

The NHSC continually seeks clinicians dedicated to working with our Nation's underserved.  We have created a program to connect these unique individuals with the communities that need them, and to support them during their initial time of service.  Fully trained health professionals who are dedicated to working with the underserved and have qualifying educational loans are eligible to complete for repayment of those loans if they choose to serve in a community of greatest need.  In addition to loan repayment, these clinicians receive a competitive salary, some tax relief benefits, and a chance to have a significant impact on a community.  To be eligible for the Loan Repayment Program (LRP), you must be a fully trained:
 

• Allopathic or osteopathic physician specializing in family medicine, general pediatrics, general internal medicine, general psychiatry, or obstetrics/gynecology
• Primary care nurse practitioner
• Primary care physician assistant
• Certified nurse-midwife
• Dentist
• Dental Hygienist
• Mental or behavioral health professional (clinical psychologist, clinical social worker, licensed professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, and psychiatric nurse specialist)

• Be free of judgment liens arising from Federal debt
• Have no other existing service commitment
• Serve full time (40 hours a week) in the clinical practice of your profession
• Commit to providing primary care service in a priority health professional shortage area for a minimum of 2 years
• Be a U.S. citizen with a valid, unrestricted license and/or certificate for the State where you plan to practice

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH) LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM

The NIH announces the opening of five extramural Loan Repayment programs.  The online applications for these programs are open now, and the application closing date for the Clinical, Pediatric, and Contraception and Infertility Research LRP's for 2004 is December 15, 2004.

• Clinical Research Loan Repayment Program;
• Pediatric Research Loan Repayment Program,
• Health Disparities Research Loan Repayment Program (deadline date to be announced)
• Clinical Research Loan Repayment Program for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds (deadline date to be announced); and
• Contraception and Infertility Research Loan Repayment Program.

NURSES REINVESTMENT ACT

The Federal Department of Health and Human Services administers a scholarship/loan repayment program for nursing students who agree to serve in critical need areas after college graduation.  To find out more information go to www.bhpr.hrsa.gov.

NURSING EDUCATION LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM (NELRP)

The goals of the NELRP are to assist in the recruitment and retention of professional nurses dedicated to providing health care to underserved populations and to provide an opportunity for nurses to consider a career in America's nursing underserved areas.  The program offers registered nurses substantial economic assistance to repay their educational loans in exchange for service to the underserved in eligible facilities.  All NELRP participants must enter into a contract agreeing to provide full-time employment in an approved eligible health facility for 2 or 3 years.  In return, the NELRP will pay 60 percent of the participant's total qualifying loan balance for 3 years.

What types of loans are considered to be eligible?  Government and commercial loans obtained by the participant, contemporaneous with participant's undergraduate and graduate nursing education, to pay for: school tuition and required fees for undergraduate and graduate nursing education; other reasonable educational expenses for undergraduate and graduate nursing education; and reasonable living expenses during undergraduate and graduate nursing education.  Examples of eligible loans include: Nursing Student Loans; Federal Perkins Loan (formerly National Direct Student Loans); Stafford Loans; and Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS).  You can obtain additional information and applications online at http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/loanrepay.htm or by phone at 1-866-813-3753.

OCCUPATIONAL OR PHYSICAL THERAPY

There is a high demand for occupational and physical therapists.  Consequently, hospitals and other health related organizations may offer to repay some of your student loans if you are employed with them.  For more information, contact the American Occupational Therapy Association (PO Box 31220, 47200 Montgomery Lane, Bethesda, MD  20824-1220, Phone: (301)652-2682) or the American Physical Therapy Association (111 North Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA  22314-1488, Phone: 1-800-999-2782).

PREFERRED MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
This is an Oklahoma based company that provides healthcare in rural communities. They are anticipating a future need for physicians interested in practicing family or internal medicine in rural community clinics and hospitals in Oklahoma and Texas. Financial assistance is offered for medical school costs to student who will commit to filling positions subsequent to their graduation from medical school and residency. Candidates will be provided adequate office space, equipment and support personnel. For each year of active practice, Preferred Management Corporation will forgive a mutually agreed upon amount of the financial assistance. Interested students should submit a resume, with letter of intent and lists of needs to the attention of Gayle at gayle@preferredmanagmentcorp or via fax to (405) 273-6007.
 

STATE LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM

This program offers repayment of educational loans to primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurse midwives, in return for an obligation to practice in a rural  underserved area of West Virginia.  The site must be public or nonprofit and located in a HPSA.  The program is funded by a federal grant (50%) and state (50%) appropriation.

Eligibility:

• Primary care physicians in general family practice, general pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, general internal medicine, general psychiatry; and
• Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified nurse-midwives

VOLUNTEERS IN SERVICE TO AMERICA (VISTA)

Volunteers with private, non-profit groups that help eradicate hunger, homelessness, poverty and illiteracy.  Providing 1700 hours of service will pay $4725 toward your outstanding loan debt.  Call 1-800-942-2677 or 1-202-606-5000.