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.
