2018 Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program

Guys I got my counter signature today!!!!!! Not sure if this means I'm def in. Please keep the prayers coming!

Just got my counter signature this morning as well! I believe I recall reading on the finalist email that it's only finalized once you have your countersignature, so unless I'm mistaken that means you're in. For those that have it already, how long does it take to get the welcome packet after your countersignature?

ACNP

Tier 1

CSF 14

DTS ratio about 175%

Good evening all, I received my countersignature this AM as well. I first received the finalist email on 9/10/18. This was my 3rd year applying. So thankful.

Ya

I got the denial for nurse corps but signed and have the contract for NHSC.

I believe my welcome packet came the following day. Congrats!

I know that the 50k is tax free, however do we know if it is included in your income/earnings for the year? I am thinking about my tax bracket?

Definitely included as income for tax purposes!

The $50k disbursement should not be included as income per both the NHSC and IRS. It is 100% tax free.

"NHSC Loan Repayment funds are exempt from federal income and employment taxes."

https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/downloads/loan-repayment/nhsc-LRP-application-program-guidance.pdf

Publication 970 - Tax Benefits for Education - Student Loan Repayment Assistance

^^^^ EXACTLY right rsmith. If you include it as income, it's going to be taxed as income. As it stands, the 25k part-time or 50k full-time disbursement is COMPLETELY tax free. I think the monthly stipend is different and may be counted as income and taxed.

I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate those of you of whom received the awards. I can only imagine how helpful it is. With that being said, these awards are no more need based than I am a polka dot centaur! Lol. I don't know how they award the repayment but if it really were, then how would Tier 2 people ever be awarded if I never was with a DTI of about 180%! An NP I work with has $60k of debt with $90k in salary. But like me my friend wasn't awarded, and she has $200k in debt with $99k salary. Not bitter just sayin'. I don't know.

I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate those of you of whom received the awards. I can only imagine how helpful it is. With that being said, these awards are no more need based than I am a polka dot centaur! Lol. I don't know how they award the repayment but if it really were, then how would Tier 2 people ever be awarded if I never was with a DTI of about 180%! An NP I work with has $60k of debt with $90k in salary. But like me my friend wasn't awarded, and she has $200k in debt with $99k salary. Not bitter just sayin'. I don't know.

This is what they say about their funding priorities:

"Funding Priorities -

The following funding priorities will be applied to all eligible and qualified applicants:

• Characteristics Likely to remain in a HPSA plus Disadvantaged Background (see "Definitions"

section). The NHSC will give priority to an applicant who has (and whose spouse, if any, has)

characteristics that indicate a higher likelihood of continuing to practice in a HPSA once the

service commitment is completed and who comes from a disadvantaged background. With

the respect to the latter, the applicant must submit certification from a school that he/she: (i)

was identified as having a "disadvantaged background" based on environmental and/or

economic factors, or (ii) received a federal Exceptional Financial Need Scholarship.

• Characteristics Likely to Remain in a HPSA. The NHSC will also give priority to an applicant

who has (and whose spouse, if any, has) characteristics that indicate a higher likelihood of

continuing to practice in a HPSA once the service commitment is completed. Generally, the

program will assess the applicant's experience in working with underserved populations,

which can be demonstrated through past work and volunteer experiences, as well as an

applicant's background."

So they are looking at a lot more than just what you owe vs. what you make.

Also, why should people who take a longer time, work and pay as they go, rather than taking out ALL student loans available be penalized for that? We really shouldn't be encouraging people to take out hundreds of thousands of dollars of student loans for jobs in the RN/ARNP income bracket.

I totally agree. 200k is ridiculous. That's medical school amounts, not NP. Borrow responsibly...I would rather see a lot of people with lower D/I ratios get it then fewer with outrageous ratios.

Don't lose hope! This was my fourth year applying and I finally got it! I received my welcome packet yesterday. Good luck in the future to those of you that didn't get it this year. It gets easier to apply after the first year because you already have everything scanned in. So next year just go at it again!

Actually, we never know the private circumstances of people so we shouldn't judge. But, Idk how they will know if you are likely to stay or not. One of the ladies I work with will be finishing her third year and is actively searching for new employment. My friend is going on her 4th year at a FQHC. This lady also went to schools that did not cost as much as my friends. She shouldn't be punished for going to a higher rated school. The stated purpose is that this is need based. I really don't see it, but they didn't ask me...