Jacqueline K. Santiago
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The Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program (LRP) offers to repay educational loans for eligible health professionals in order to meet the staffing needs of the Indian Health Service (IHS) in Indian health programs. Applicants sign contractual agreements for 2 years of service in a full-time clinical practice at an IHS facility or approved Indian health program.

Opportunities are based on staffing needs and the availability of funds. Distribution of LRP awards are based on a ranking system created to address these needs. IHS identifies hiring priorities for Indian health program facilities with the greatest staffing needs in specific health profession disciplines.

Successful applicants must begin their service obligation no later than September 30 of the fiscal year in which the LRP contract is signed.

Eligible applicants must:

• Have a health profession degree or be in the final year of academic/ post-graduate clinical training
• Have a valid license to practice (Health profession students in their final year of study are eligible to apply before obtaining a license, but must be licensed prior to receiving the award.)
• Be committed to practice at an Indian health facility
• Be able to begin service on or before September 30 for 2 continuous years of full-time clinical practice

A list of eligible professions is available in the eligibility section.

$22,405,000 is allocated to support approximately 492 awards of up to $45,565 in exchange for 2 years of service.

$12,395,000 is allocated to support approximately 500 competing awards averaging $24,790 per award for a one-year extension. One-year contract extensions receive priority consideration in any award cycle.

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

An award recipient may request a contract extension in the final calendar year of the service contract as long as there are outstanding qualified loans.