American Academy of Family Physicians
A directory listing Funding Resources for Practice in Underserved Areas (particularly women, minorities, new physicians, international medical graduates, and those who identify as LGBT) can be obtained through the American Academy of Family Physicians. This resource identifies and describes financial aid programs, scholarships, fellowships, grants, awards and other incentives to attract and retain health care personnel in scarcity areas.
Health Professions Loan Repayment Program
The U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy offer financial assistance programs (FAPS), which supplement a resident's salary with an annual grant and monthly stipend in return for Active Duty service upon completion of residency. The benefits and length of service vary among the branches. Find out more about each branch by visiting the following websites:
U.S. Air Force HPSP
Army HPSP
Navy HPSP
Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program
The Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program is offered to health professionals who agree to work in health facilities specifically serving American Indians and Alaska Natives for a minimum of two-year service obligation. Participants are eligible for loan repayments of up to $20,000 annually, in addition to a tax adjustment which is sent directly to the IRS. Preference is given to applications made by those identifying as American Indian/Alaska Native. For more information, visit their website.
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Programs
For Medical Students: The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) offers a loan repayment program for physicians and other health professionals who agree to serve in federally-designated shortage areas of the U.S. The program offers loan repayments up to $60,000 in exchange for the first two years of service. Additional loan repayments can be offered with other service commitments. This program is looking for physicians who have completed their residency requirements in the following areas: Family Medicine; General Pediatrics; General Internal Medicine; General Psychiatry; or Obstetrics/Gynecology. The listing of service sites is updated annually. Both rural and urban sites are included. Recipients apply to one of ten regional areas in the U.S. in which they wish to work and for which they are licensed.
For Residents: The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Students to Service Loan Repayment Program (S2S LRP) provides up to $120,000 loan repayment assistance to medical students (MD and DO) prior to starting residency. In return medical students must commit to provide primary health care services in eligible Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) of greatest need. Program is generally opened from August to mid-November of the student's fourth year of medical school. Awards are subject to the availability of funds.
More information regarding this program may be obtained by visiting the NHSC Loan Repayment website.
National Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) offer several loan repayment programs to those pursuing careers in biomedical, behavioral, social and clinical research, repaying up to $35,000 each year in qualified student educational loan debt in exchange for a two-year commitment in clinical research work. Individuals who wish to apply to these programs must provide assurance to the NIH that they will be provided with research support for two years from an Institute, Center, or Division (ICD) Personnel Department at the NIH. Application Cycle: September 1 - November 15. For a more detailed description of this program, visit the website.
Pisacano Scholars Leadership Program
This program is designed to provide educational services, leadership training, and funding to reimburse a portion of medical school related debt. Scholarships will be awarded to outstanding medical students for a four-year period. Students who have made a commitment to the field of family medicine and who will enter their fourth year of medical school in the fall may apply. Scholarships are awarded with a maximum value of $28,000 each. Application deadline: May 1 and applications are available on website.
Rhode Island Health Professional Loan Repayment Program
If you provide services to Rhode Islanders who lack access to primary health care, you may be eligible for this loan repayment program. Eligible providers may serve in a variety of disciplines including primary care, dentistry, and mental health and make a two-year commitment to practice in a medically underserved community. Applications are accepted from January 6 to March 7. For more information about eligibility and which sites in Rhode Island are designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas by the federal government, visit their website.