Veterans Affairs Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program (SELRP)

SELRPTeam@va.gov

The Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program (SELRP) provides loan repayment assistance for recent graduates of an accredited medical or osteopathic school that are currently enrolled or matched to a residency specialty identified as a shortage by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. A minimum service obligation of 24 months is required.

Shortage specialties include:

• Psychiatry
• Family Practice
• Internal Medicine
• Emergency Medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Urology
• Geriatric Medicine

Other specialties may be considered on an individual basis.

Eligibility requirements:

• Citizens of the United States and pass a background investigation
• Graduated from a U.S. accredited medical school or the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
• Appointed in the occupation for which the recipient was trained
• Currently enrolled in or matched to a residency receiving training in an eligible specialty
• Have more than one year remaining in a residency/fellowship
• Agree to obtain a license to practice medicine, and complete training leading to board eligibility or certification within the specialty trained
• Agree to a service obligation of at least 2 years
• Have eligible student debt equal to or more than the amount of the repayment

Preference will be given to veterans, and individuals who are, or will be, participating in residency programs in health facilities:

• Located in rural areas
• Operated by tribes, tribal organizations, or the Indian Health Service
• Affiliated with underserved healthcare facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs

$40,000 a year with a maximum of $160,000

Recipients must agree to serve at a VA facility for a period of 12 months for each $40,000 of loan repayment (minimum of 24 months).

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