Nurse Corps Loan Repayment 2014!

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Hi everyone,

I am an NP working at a NY facility with a score of 19, which is tier 1. My loans each month are CRAZY (about $1500), so even though my debt:income score isn't as high as some (it's about 120%), this would be life changing for me!

I was just hoping to get some general advice/thoughts from everyone during this very painful waiting process. I've heard that if you do get the award you generally find out in July/August, otherwise rejections mainly come around October.

Has anyone else been in my shoes, with a similar facility score and debt/income score, with any words of wisdom? I'm nervous and thought it would just be nice to chat with other people who are going through the same thing, or who have been through it!

Lastly, for the folks who have gotten this before, what ways do you utilize it? Do you use it to make your minimum monthly payments and try to save, or do you make 1.5 x your regular payments? Pay off private loans first?

Just thought it would be nice to get a convo going this application cycle!

Sarah :)

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I am an NP. I applied for the 2013 cycle. My facility score was 18 (so Tier 1) and my debt to income ratio was 84%. I was awarded the loan repayment. My strategy is to pay minimum payment on all the loans each month, and put the leftover amount into paying off the highest interest loan. I received an email that I was one of the finalists for the award in early May, and I found out that I was a recipient of the award at the end of August.

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I'm an NP and applied for a similar program-the National Health Service Corps. My facility score is 17 (also tier 1) and my loan payments are outrageous!!! Over $1k a month! Unfortunately, my facility didn't qualify for the Nurse Corps program because we are a private hospital. I would have applied to both programs in hopes of at least getting approved for one. I pray I get the $$, it will be a huge help.

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Thanks so much for your input! It's so nice to hear that someone in a similar position to me got it. I keep meaning to budget out all the money and everything to see what the best way to go about it is to pay things off the most efficiently - probably the way you're doing it.

Thanks for your reply!

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Specializes in Community Health.

I am also playing the waiting game. I applied to HRSA (NHSC) last year and was denied because of a low HRSA score at one of the two sites that I work at. HRSA just recently raised the scores at both of my facilities so now I'm @ 18 and 19 for both sites. I decided to apply for Nurse Corp this year because I would get a better return. My debt to income ratio is 181%.

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I am also playing the waiting game. I applied to HRSA (NHSC) last year and was denied because of a low HRSA score at one of the two sites that I work at. HRSA just recently raised the scores at both of my facilities so now I'm @ 18 and 19 for both sites. I decided to apply for Nurse Corp this year because I would get a better return. My debt to income ratio is 181%.

I thought NHSC and Nurse Corp was the same program?

I have briefly looked into loan repayment for when I graduate but get so confused.

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I'm an NP and applied for a similar program-the National Health Service Corps. My facility score is 17 (also tier 1) and my loan payments are outrageous!!! Over $1k a month! Unfortunately, my facility didn't qualify for the Nurse Corps program because we are a private hospital. I would have applied to both programs in hopes of at least getting approved for one. I pray I get the $$, it will be a huge help.

Did you pick your job/facility based on the fact that you knew you wanted a shot at this program? I am trying to figure this all out. There are only 2 facilities here in Louisville that have the scores needed for the program. My question is, say I work in one of them, get accepted for the loan forgiveness program, and then the facility closes (just thinking of scenarios)?

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Specializes in Community Health.

I thought NHSC and Nurse Corp was the same program?

I have briefly looked into loan repayment for when I graduate but get so confused.

Nurse Corp is for nurses, including Advanced practice nurses.

NHSC is open to MDs, PAs, dentists, MH and NPs in primary care underserved areas

http://hrsa.gov/m/loanrepayment/index.html

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@ella86RN

I think for NHSC you have to be primary care, whereas in Nurse Corps you don't have to be (I'm not). Also, the way they disperse the $ is different - one is all up front, the other is monthly (I think!).

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Did you pick your job/facility based on the fact that you knew you wanted a shot at this program? I am trying to figure this all out. There are only 2 facilities here in Louisville that have the scores needed for the program. My question is say I work in one of them, get accepted for the loan forgiveness program, and then the facility closes (just thinking of scenarios)?[/quote']

I did not pick my facility based on the HPSA score. In fact, I didn't know they qualified for the NHSC loan repayment program until after I took the job. I'm not sure what happens if the facility closes? That's a good question for the NHSC people. I think they would try and place you at another HPSA site so you can fulfill your contract. That may mean you have to move somewhere?

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I work with a doctor who was moved across the country. And is now on his third site

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I work with a doctor who was moved across the country. And is now on his third site

As in, he HAD to move, in order to meet the requirements of the program?

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