Rural Health Funding & Opportunities: Loan Repayment Programs

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.

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

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.

Geographic coverage: California
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.

Geographic coverage: California
Application Deadline: Jun 5, 2026
Sponsor: California Department of Health Care Access and Information

Steven M. Thompson Physician Corps Loan Repayment Program Inactive
Loan repayment assistance for physicians and surgeons who agree to practice in eligible Health Professional Shortage Areas and qualified facilities in California.

Geographic coverage: California
Application Deadline: Jun 5, 2026
Sponsor: California Department of Health Care Access and Information

California Licensed Vocational Nurse Loan Repayment Program Inactive
Loan repayment assistance for Licensed Vocational Nurses who are practicing direct patient care in qualified facilities in California.

Geographic coverage: California
Application Deadline: Jun 2, 2026
Sponsor: California Department of Health Care Access and Information

Maine Dental Education Forgivable Loan Program Inactive
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

Maine Dental Education Loan Repayment Program Inactive
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

Illinois Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program Inactive
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

Veterans Affairs Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program (SELRP) Inactive
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

Healthcare Worker Loan Relief Program of the Commonwealth Inactive
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

Rural Health Funding by Type: Loan Repayment Programs

Rural Health
Funding by Type: Loan Repayment Programs