Student loan forgiveness (NHSC)

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Anyone have any experience getting their student loans paid off using the National Health Service Corps? I was offered a position recently that is eligible for this benefit, however I worry about all the penalties should you be unable or unwilling to complete your 2 year commitment.

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How does the job sound? What type of work, hours, ect.. is the pay good? I'm just curious- I would be interested in this when done school...Thanks.

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The job sounds great. The pay is terrible, but considering working for a not-for-profit human service agency devoted to providing quality care rather than making lots of money, I think it is okay. I don't know much about the application process though.

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

Hi Sheri,

I'm in the loan repayment program. I would highly recommend it, if you find a position you like. I was hoping to stay at least 2 years at my job regardless of whether I got the award or not, so that wasn't an issue for me. The application process has gotten a whole lot easier since I completed it last summer. NHSC has a ton of money right now and everyone who applies is getting the award. It effectively added $25,000 per year to my salary for the 2 years of my commitment. My base salary is lower than that in a private practice, but the $25,000 "bonus" puts me at a higher salary than most new grad NPs I know. And best of all, it felt so good to pay off most of my loans!!! However, I will have to look for another job once my commitment is met, because it's not financially feasible for me to stay where I am without the NHSC $$$.

The NHSC will work with you to ensure you can meet the 2 year commitment. If you're unhappy in your position, they will help you try to work things out or work with you to transfer to another NHSC approved site. I went to the orientation conference for new NHSC loan repayors last month in Texas, and the NHSC staff were really helpful. Just one little pinch of reality.....the community health centers may truly want to give good quality care, and that is the attitude of the providers, but it's still all about the bottom line for the administrators, and you may find that frustrating. I certainly do, and that was the general feeling of all the people I talked to at the conference. Regardless, it is very satisying to provide care for those who may have not had access before.

Let us know if you decide to go for the job, and feel free to PM me or post here with any other questions. Make sure you check out the NHSC website, too.

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Thanks BC. This particular agency cares for children regardless of insurance status. Uninsured get cared for free of charge, others get cared for without any copays or deductibles, they take ins. reimbursement as payment in full. It is very different than the local community health center. This is the school based position I had asked about a few days ago. It really sounds so great. I just worry that I will hate it and will be stuck there for 2 years anyway. It is great to know the NHSC will work with you in those cases.

I don't owe anywhere near the 50K they will pay off, but any little bit will help. It will be great to be loan free in 2 years :)

Oh, does the NHSC pay your loans at the beginning or end of the 2 years? I checked the website and couldn't get a definite answer.

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

I hope that turns out to be a good place to work...it sounds like they really want to help the kids. Anyway, you get the money up front, which is really nice. For just a few short moments, my bank account balance was over $50,000....lol. Then I paid off my loans and it was back to reality!! But I'll be loan free in about 8 months vs. the 10+ years it would have taken me without NHSC. It's so worth it to me to put up with the not so great administrators in return for the financial benefit, and the opportunity to really affect peoples' lives. If you decide to take this job, get started on the NHSC application right away. They base your 2 year commitment on the day you get the award, not your actual job start date. I started my job last June, but didn't get the NHSC award until mid-October 2009, so my commitment ends Oct. 2011.

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BC,

do you know what happens if for some reason you can't finish the commitment?

oh, and can the money be used for undergrad nursing loans too?

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

If you don't complete your commitment, you have to pay back the award, but it's pro-rated for the length of service completed. You are also not allowed to be away form your site for more than 35 days per year, although I don't know who actually keeps track of that. That 35 days includes holidays, sick time, and vacation time.

I believe you can use the money to pay back undergrad loans. You have to show documentation of all of your student loans when you apply, but they don't ask for proof of which loans you actually paid back with the award..

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Specializes in Oncology, ER/Trauma, Prev Med.

I was recently offered a job at a Community Health Center with the NHSC program as well. Do you have to commit to the full two years, or can you commit for one year and get 25k instead of 50k?

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

The minimum commitment is 2 years.

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Hi,

thank you for providing information about the program. I am in my last year of NP school and I am considering the program. Can you apply while you're still in school or do you have to wait until you graduate. Thanks.

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Specializes in General.
If you don't complete your commitment, you have to pay back the award, but it's pro-rated for the length of service completed. You are also not allowed to be away form your site for more than 35 days per year, although I don't know who actually keeps track of that. That 35 days includes holidays, sick time, and vacation time.

I believe you can use the money to pay back undergrad loans. You have to show documentation of all of your student loans when you apply, but they don't ask for proof of which loans you actually paid back with the award..

yes it is prorated but at 7100.00 a month for the months remaining on your commitment

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