Published Nov 3, 2008
RN007
541 Posts
Is there anyone out there who qualified for the NHSC Loan Repayment Program as a clinician? I am looking forward to becoming a psych NP (God-willing) and wondered if there is person here who actually was granted an award. Is it realistic to hope for one? There are a couple of opportunities near me, which tells me when I finally graduate, I might be able to find a qualifying job. This would make a difference in how aggressively I pursue the degree -- full time or part time. I realize there are never guarantees.
emtneel
307 Posts
I've posted on this previously so maybe you can find an old post of mine.
I received the NELRP repayment which was a 2 yr requirement, i declined the 3rd year because i wanted to have freedom in my future job choices. Plus the 12,000 puts you in another tax bracket.. which technically raises your taxes even though you aren't really making more. They paid the federal taxes on the money they gave me (and 100% of what they give you has to go to the loan co., you cannot keep any to pay state taxes, etc)
Anyways, yes you can receive it, the more your loans are the higher your chances of getting it. I received the repayment for my RN/BSN studies, but if i had accepted the 3rd yr, i would have been working that 3rd yr as a FNP, since you are still a aRNp!
Check the deadlines, the applications are coming out at the new yr i believe.
My loans from my undergrad (UM) accelerated program were ~1.5x my annual income. I think you have good chances if your loans are at least 100%= annual income. If they are less you may want to strongly consider just paying yourself and not be bound to a contract.
It is a burden, there are LOTS of rules, only so much time off, including holidays, sick, vaca, maternity leave etc.. minimum hrs/week must be worked.
So not only are you a slave to your lender you are a slave to the government.
So if you are okay with all those things it is a good deal. I was very blessed and very thankful to have received the monies, and am hoping i can work my butt off over the next year to pay off the rest!
any other questions just ask.
Thank you so much for the info. I'll think about this. With family, it might be better to just suck it up and pay as much as I can to have some flexibility in life. I work for an employer that pays for some tuition, so it's no so bad, although I still owe lots for my RN. I would love to go to school full time, though, and that's what's driving my thoughts. Do you have any idea how competitive the loans are, particularly for mental health nurse practitioners?
I would look at the website. For the NELRP loans it says how many applied last year and how many received the repayment.
I knew several people at work who had applied for a few years in a row. One got denied because paper was wrong size, so make sure someone checks the app. over before you send it and everything is perfect!
I would say about 50/50 received it at my work, like 3 of us got it and 3 did not. The 3 who didn't only had like 20-30k to pay back on loans.
I am looking at the NHSC Loan Repayment Program, which is for NPs, PAs, dentists, and mental health professionals. Thanks again for replying. I will continue to dig. :typing