Rural Health Funding & Opportunities: Loans, loan repayment, and loan forgiveness for health careers

NIH Extramural Loan Repayment Program
Loan repayment assistance for researchers that are not employed by the NIH. Loan repayment awards are based on an applicant's potential to build and sustain a research career, not to support specific research.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. territories
Application Deadline: Nov 20, 2025
Sponsors: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Idaho Rural Nursing Loan Repayment Program (RNLRP)
Loan repayment assistance for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses practicing direct care in rural and underserved areas in Idaho.

Geographic coverage: Idaho
Application Deadline: Nov 30, 2025
Sponsors: Idaho Bureau of Healthcare Access, Idaho Bureau of Rural Health and Primary Care, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

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.

Geographic coverage: Florida
Application Deadline: Dec 1, 2025
Sponsor: Florida Department of Education

Minnesota Home and Community-Based Services Employee Scholarship Grant and Loan Forgiveness Program
Funding for home and community-based services providers and individuals in Minnesota to support employee scholarship and loan forgiveness programs for education and training in nursing and other healthcare fields.

Geographic coverage: Minnesota
Application Deadline: Dec 12, 2025
Sponsor: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care

Minnesota Dentist Loan Forgiveness Program
Loan repayment assistance for dental students, residents, and licensed dentists who plan to provide at least 25% of annual patient encounters to state public program enrollees and/or patients receiving a sliding fee schedule in Minnesota.