Scholarships, Loans, and Loan Repayment for Rural Health Professions – Funding & Opportunities

Veterans Affairs HPSP Vet Center (Readjustment Counseling Service) Scholarship Inactive
Scholarships for specific behavioral/mental health professional students. Recipients agree to a 6-year service obligation at a Vet Center Readjustment Counseling Service site. Applicants from rural, tribal, and other underserved communities are encouraged.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Feb 27, 2026
Sponsor: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

NBCC Foundation Rural Scholarships Inactive
Scholarships for students residing in rural areas who are currently enrolled in a master's level counseling program and are committed to practicing in rural communities after graduation.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Jan 31, 2026
Sponsor: National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Foundation

State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) Inactive
Grants to states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Territories to assist them in operating their own state educational loan repayment programs for primary care providers working in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) within their state.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. Territories
Application Deadline: Jan 12, 2026
Sponsors: Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration, National Health Service Corps, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

National Health Service Corps Students to Service Loan Repayment Program Inactive
Loan repayment assistance for medical, advanced practice nursing, physician assistant, and dental students who agree to provide services in eligible Health Professional Shortage Areas of greatest need.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. Territories
Application Deadline: Nov 6, 2025
Sponsors: Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration, National Health Service Corps, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Postdoctoral Training in General, Pediatric, and Public Health Dentistry Inactive
Grants to plan, develop, operate, or participate in, postdoctoral training programs in community-based organizations in the fields of general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, and dental public health. Programs should prepare postdoctoral trained dentists to improve access to and delivery of oral healthcare delivery to underserved and rural populations.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Mar 18, 2025
Sponsors: Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services