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.
Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program (STAR LRP) Site Activation
Apply to be an approved Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program site to receive assistance with recruitment and retention of qualified SUD clinicians and paraprofessionals.
Apply to be an approved Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program site to receive assistance with recruitment and retention of qualified SUD clinicians and paraprofessionals.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsors: Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsors: Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Texas Loan Repayment Program for Mental Health Professionals
Provides loan repayment assistance for certain mental health professionals practicing in mental health professional shortage areas of Texas.
Provides loan repayment assistance for certain mental health professionals practicing in mental health professional shortage areas of Texas.
Geographic coverage: Texas
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Texas Nurse Loan Repayment Assistance Program
Loan repayment assistance for nurses that have been working in Texas for at least one year.
Loan repayment assistance for nurses that have been working in Texas for at least one year.
Geographic coverage: Texas
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Texas Physician Education Loan Repayment Program (PELRP)
Loan repayment assistance for physicians who practice in Texas, with priority given to primary care physicians who agree to practice in Health Professional Shortage Areas of the state.
Loan repayment assistance for physicians who practice in Texas, with priority given to primary care physicians who agree to practice in Health Professional Shortage Areas of the state.
Geographic coverage: Texas
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Utah Health Care Workforce Financial Assistance Program
Loan repayment assistance for healthcare professionals who locate and practice in approved areas in Utah for at least 3 years.
Loan repayment assistance for healthcare professionals who locate and practice in approved areas in Utah for at least 3 years.
Geographic coverage: Utah
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Utah Office of Primary Care and Rural Health
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Utah Office of Primary Care and Rural Health
Utah Rural Physician Loan Repayment Program
Educational loan repayment assistance for physicians who contract to work in a rural hospital in Utah for a minimum of 2 years.
Educational loan repayment assistance for physicians who contract to work in a rural hospital in Utah for a minimum of 2 years.
Geographic coverage: Utah
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Utah Office of Primary Care and Rural Health
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Utah Office of Primary Care and Rural Health
West Virginia Medical Student Loan Program
Forgivable loans for medical students in West Virginia who agree to practice in an approved area of West Virginia upon graduation.
Forgivable loans for medical students in West Virginia who agree to practice in an approved area of West Virginia upon graduation.
Geographic coverage: West Virginia
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsors: West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, West Virginia University Institute for Community and Rural Health
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsors: West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, West Virginia University Institute for Community and Rural Health
Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program (STAR LRP)
Inactive
Loan repayment assistance for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment clinicians and community health workers to provide direct treatment and recovery support services in an approved SUD treatment facility.
Loan repayment assistance for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment clinicians and community health workers to provide direct treatment and recovery support services in an approved SUD treatment facility.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Jun 23, 2026
Sponsors: Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Application Deadline: Jun 23, 2026
Sponsors: Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
California Bachelor of Science Nursing Loan Repayment Program
Inactive
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 5, 2026
Sponsor: California Department of Health Care Access and Information
Application Deadline: Jun 5, 2026
Sponsor: California Department of Health Care Access and Information
California Licensed Mental Health Services Provider Education Program
Inactive
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 5, 2026
Sponsor: California Department of Health Care Access and Information
Application Deadline: Jun 5, 2026
Sponsor: California Department of Health Care Access and Information