Minnesota Rural Mental Health Professional Loan Forgiveness Program

Elizabeth Fenske, Dan Merkl, Gao Nue Xiong, and Mai Ia Ong Vang
651.201.3838
health.loanforgiveness@state.mn.us

The Rural Mental Health Professional Loan Forgiveness Program provides funds for repayment of qualified educational loans for licensed mental health professionals who agree to practice in a designated rural area of Minnesota.

A designated rural area is defined as a city or township that is outside the 7-county Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area, excluding the cities of Duluth, Mankato, Moorhead, Rochester, and St. Cloud.

Licensed mental health professionals, including:

• Psychologists
• Licensed independent clinical social workers (LICSW)
• Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT)
• Licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCC)
• Licensed alcohol and drug counselors (LADC)

Preference is given to applicants closest to completing their training and those who can demonstrate diverse cultural competencies.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners should apply through the Minnesota Advanced Practice Provider Program Loan Forgiveness Program.

Up to $29,000 per year with a maximum of $116,000 is available for psychologists.

Up to $11,000 per year with a maximum of $44,000 is available for licensed independent clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed professional clinical counselors, and licensed alcohol and drug counselors.

The minimum service obligation is 3 years with a maximum of 4 years in a rural area.

Links to application guidelines and the online application portal are available on the program website.