Rural Health
Funding by Topic: Loans, loan repayment, and loan forgiveness for health careers
Summaries of funding programs are provided by RHIhub for your convenience. Please contact the funder directly for the most complete and current information.
National Health Service Corps Site Application
Apply to be a National Health Service Corps Site to receive recruitment and retention assistance, networking opportunities, and other benefits.
Apply to be a National Health Service Corps Site to receive recruitment and retention assistance, networking opportunities, and other benefits.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: May 19, 2026
Sponsors: Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration, National Health Service Corps, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Application Deadline: May 19, 2026
Sponsors: Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration, National Health Service Corps, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Healthcare Worker Loan Relief Program of the Commonwealth
Loan repayment for specific healthcare professionals who agree to practice in healthcare shortage areas in Kentucky.
Loan repayment for specific healthcare professionals who agree to practice in healthcare shortage areas in Kentucky.
Geographic coverage: Kentucky
Application Deadline: May 29, 2026
Sponsor: University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health
Application Deadline: May 29, 2026
Sponsor: University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health
Illinois Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program
Loan repayment assistance for qualified mental health and substance use professionals who agree to practice in rural areas in Illinois.
Loan repayment assistance for qualified mental health and substance use professionals who agree to practice in rural areas in Illinois.
Geographic coverage: Illinois
Application Deadline: May 31, 2026
Sponsor: Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Application Deadline: May 31, 2026
Sponsor: Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Veterans Affairs Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program (SELRP)
Loan repayment assistance for recent graduates of an accredited medical or osteopathic school who 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.
Loan repayment assistance for recent graduates of an accredited medical or osteopathic school who 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.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: May 31, 2026
Sponsor: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Application Deadline: May 31, 2026
Sponsor: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Florida Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness Program
Loan repayment assistance for nursing personnel who agree to serve in areas of Florida where there are critical nursing shortages.
Loan repayment assistance for nursing personnel who agree to serve in areas of Florida where there are critical nursing shortages.
Geographic coverage: Florida
Application Deadline: Jun 1, 2026
Sponsor: Florida Department of Education
Application Deadline: Jun 1, 2026
Sponsor: Florida Department of Education
Maine Dental Education Forgivable Loan Program
Forgivable loans for Maine residents pursuing dental education who agree to practice in an eligible facility in a shortage area upon completion of their degree.
Forgivable loans for Maine residents pursuing dental education who agree to practice in an eligible facility in a shortage area upon completion of their degree.
Geographic coverage: Maine
Application Deadline: Jun 1, 2026
Sponsor: Finance Authority of Maine
Application Deadline: Jun 1, 2026
Sponsor: Finance Authority of Maine
Maine Dental Education Loan Repayment Program
Loan repayment assistance for dentists and certain dental auxiliary health professionals who agree to practice in a Dental Health Professional Shortage Area or Medically Underserved Population Areas in Maine.
Loan repayment assistance for dentists and certain dental auxiliary health professionals who agree to practice in a Dental Health Professional Shortage Area or Medically Underserved Population Areas in Maine.
Geographic coverage: Maine
Application Deadline: Jun 1, 2026
Sponsor: Finance Authority of Maine
Application Deadline: Jun 1, 2026
Sponsor: Finance Authority of Maine
Maine Health Professions Loan Program
A need-based, competitive loan for Maine students pursuing postgraduate medical, dental, and veterinary education.
A need-based, competitive loan for Maine students pursuing postgraduate medical, dental, and veterinary education.
Geographic coverage: Maine
Application Deadline: Jun 1, 2026
Sponsor: Finance Authority of Maine
Application Deadline: Jun 1, 2026
Sponsor: Finance Authority of Maine
California Bachelor of Science Nursing Loan Repayment Program
Loan repayment assistance for registered nurses who are practicing direct patient care in healthcare shortage areas of California.
Loan repayment assistance for registered nurses who are practicing direct patient care in healthcare shortage areas of California.
Geographic coverage: California
Application Deadline: Jun 2, 2026
Sponsor: California Department of Health Care Access and Information
Application Deadline: Jun 2, 2026
Sponsor: California Department of Health Care Access and Information
California Licensed Mental Health Services Provider Education Program
Loan repayment assistance for mental healthcare professionals who are providing direct care in a qualified facility in California.
Loan repayment assistance for mental healthcare professionals who are providing direct care in a qualified facility in California.
Geographic coverage: California
Application Deadline: Jun 2, 2026
Sponsor: California Department of Health Care Access and Information
Application Deadline: Jun 2, 2026
Sponsor: California Department of Health Care Access and Information