Illinois National Health Service Corps State Loan Repayment Program

217.782.1624
dph.slrp@illinois.gov

The Illinois National Health Service Corps State Loan Repayment Program offers loan repayment assistance for primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurse midwives, dentists, pharmacists, and psychiatrists who agree to serve in a Health Professional Shortage Area of Illinois.

Providers must agree to serve for a minimum of two years, and can extend the service contract up to six years.

Eligible professions:

• Primary care physicians
  • Family practice
  • Internal medicine
  • General pediatrics
  • Obstetrics and gynecology
• Nurse practitioners
• Physician assistants
• Nurse midwives
• Dentists
• Pharmacists
• Psychiatrists
• Registered nurses

Eligibility requirements:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Have a valid Illinois license
• Not be in default on any federal debt
• Be ready to treat all patients, no matter of their ability to pay
• Not have any other service obligation

Eligible facilities must be:

• In a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA)
• A nonprofit or public facility
• Accepting Medicare, Medicaid, and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) patients
• Offering discounts for patients with limited income
• Willing to serve everyone, no matter their ability to pay

Facilities include, but are not limited to:

• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and FQHC Look-Alikes
• Rural Health Clinics
• Critical Access Hospitals
• Public health departments
• Community mental health centers
• Free or mobile clinics
• School-based health programs
• Correctional facilities

The maximum amount is based on qualifying educational debt.

• 1st agreement: 2-year service obligation for up to $75,000 for primary care and up to $50,000 for dental and psychiatry
• 2nd agreement: 1-year service obligation for up to $20,000
• 3rd agreement: 1-year service obligation for up to $20,000
• 4th agreement: 1-year service obligation for up to $10,000
• 5th agreement: 1-year service obligation for up to $10,000

Links to additional guidance and forms are available on the program website.

All applications must be submitted online by employers through the EGrAMS system. Each employer is allowed to include 2 new provider applicants in their application package.

Funding is limited, and new applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.