Loan Repayment Program Questions...

[EMEddie]

I know that there are loan repayment programs for MDs, DOs, NPs, PAs who work in a rural underserved area for at least two years, but is there such a program for RNs? I know that to qualify for such a scholarship/program, you must apply a year before graduating, which means I would have to apply bu November of this year, but not sure if there is such a program for RNs.

Any of you guys aware of this?

Thanks in advance,

Eddie

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Im at a "rural" hospital and they are deferring my loan payments for right now for 2 years of work. They allow applications at any time, as long as you complete the work commitment you are ok.

[EMEddie]

So is it a deferral program or a repayment program? Thanks for the info man. I am in California, in the Central Valley.

[juliaann]

emeddie - i've done some research on this topic and here's a copy/paste of what i found out and shared with some of the other students in my program (hence some of the specifics, which may not be applicable to you):

i just talked with my nurse recruiter. she said that the loan forgiveness info is here: http://www.hrsa.gov/loanscholarships/repayment/nursing/ it's called the nursing education loan repayment program (nelrp).

she also said that to be able to apply, you have to already have your rn license and be working at a qualifying facility (osumc does qualify, as well as any other facility that has a disproportionate amount of medicaid/medicare or uninsured/underinsured patients or rural facilities or high-need facilities). they will pay back 60% of your loans (i think federal and private loans qualify, as long as your private loan is a specific loan for education) in exchange for 2 years of service, and then there's an optional 3rd year that will pay an additional 25%.

my nursing recruiter said that you cannot also be participating in a facility's or state scholarship program with a work obligation and also qualify for the nelrp (well, you can, but only after your work obligation has been filled). she also said that you can't apply until you're already done with school, so you can't really assume you will be accepted. she made it sound like not the best option, but then again, she's a nursing recruiter who wants me to sign a scholarship/loan contract with her hospital, so take it with a grain of salt.

maybe contact someone through that website for more information, and more information specific to your location/situation?

[EMEddie]

Thanks a lot!!