Student Loan Forgiveness & Repayment Programs for Nurses
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Student loans stacking up? Discover the wide variety of loan forgiveness programs designed specifically for nurses.
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Pursuing a career in nursing is a deeply meaningful choice. You’re dedicating your life to caring for others, filling a critical gap in a field that’s stretched thin and always in demand.
With projections estimating a need for 1.2 million new registered nurses by 2030, there’s never been a better time to answer your calling.
But becoming a nurse takes both time and money. Tuition costs can be intimidating, especially for students who need loans to get through school. Fortunately, the growing national need for qualified nurses has inspired a wide range of loan forgiveness and repayment programs that make nursing education more affordable.
If you’ve taken out student loans to earn your degree, these programs can help you significantly reduce or even erase your remaining debt.
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Understanding Student Loan Forgiveness for Nurses
Nursing school can be a major investment, and most students rely on loans to make it possible.
According to the Education Data Initiative, median debt for:
- Bachelor’s-level nursing graduates is $23,506
- Master’s-level nursing graduates is $53,500
Even with median salaries of over $93,000 for RNs and $132,000+ for APRNs, many nurses still spend years repaying student loans.
The good news? There’s help.
Both federal and state agencies, as well as nonprofits and healthcare organizations, offer loan relief and repayment programs for nurses who meet certain eligibility criteria.
Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the most impactful programs and how to qualify.
Federal Loan Forgiveness Programs for Nurses
Federal student loan forgiveness can provide significant financial relief for nurses who work in qualifying roles or locations.
These programs often reward public service, teaching, or work in shortage areas, helping nurses manage or eliminate their remaining debt.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
A cornerstone federal initiative, PSLF is managed by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) and designed for professionals in public service roles — including nurses.
The program applies to federal Direct Loans and does not impose income caps or debt ceilings. It was created in 2007 to help public servants reduce their student loan burden.
How it Works
After making 120 qualifying monthly payments under an eligible income-driven repayment plan, the remaining loan balance is forgiven tax-free.
Borrowers can also consolidate older loans (like Perkins or FFEL loans) into a Direct Loan to qualify.
Eligibility
To qualify, you must:
- Work full-time for a qualifying employer (e.g., government agency or nonprofit hospital)
- Hold Direct Loans or consolidate eligible loans into one
- Make 120 on-time, qualifying payments
How to Apply
- Complete the PSLF Certification and Application Form.
- Submit it for verification of employment and payment history.
- Check progress through the online PSLF Help Tool and update annually to keep your payment count accurate.
Requirements & Restrictions
- You must remain employed full-time with a qualifying employer while making payments.
- If you change jobs, notify the DOE to maintain eligibility.
- If you lose eligibility or have nonqualifying payments, you can apply for Temporary Expanded PSLF.
- Forgiven amounts are not taxable income.
- Administrative forbearance periods usually don’t count toward the 120 payments, though recent DOE updates have eased some restrictions.
Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program (NCLRP)
Unlike PSLF, the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program (NCLRP) focuses exclusively on nurses.
It’s managed by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
What it Offers
NCLRP repays up to 85% of unpaid nursing student loans in exchange for service at a qualifying site:
- 60% repayment for a two-year service commitment
- Additional 25% repayment for a third year
Who Qualifies
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Hold a current, unencumbered nursing license
- Have a degree or diploma from an accredited nursing program
- Maintain full-time employment at an eligible critical shortage facility (CSF) or nursing school
Application Process
- Apply online through the HRSA’s NCLRP portal during the annual window (typically April–May).
- Include supporting documents such as loan details, transcripts, and your resume.
- Award decisions are usually announced by September.
Requirements & Restrictions
- Must complete a two-year full-time service obligation
- Cannot switch employers during the contract period
- Must adhere to program rules on absences and transfers
- Payments are subject to federal income and employment taxes
- May include federal, commercial, consolidated, or Perkins loans
Preference is given to:
- Nurses with the greatest financial need
- Faculty working at schools with 50%+ disadvantaged student populations
National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program
Also managed by HRSA, the NHSC Loan Repayment Program assists nurse practitioners and certified nurse-midwives working in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
What it Offers
Participants commit to two years of full-time or part-time service and may receive:
- Up to $80,000 (full-time, primary care)
- Up to $42,500 (part-time, primary care)
- Up to $55,000 (full-time, non-primary care)
- Up to $30,000 (part-time, non-primary care)
An extension year can add $20,000 (full-time) or $10,000 (part-time).
Eligibility
- Be a U.S. citizen or national
- Hold a valid nursing license (NP or CNM)
- Work at an NHSC-approved site in an HPSA
- Have eligible nursing-related student loan debt
Military reservists may apply, but active duty deployment does not fulfill NHSC service obligations.
How to Apply
- Submit an online application with documentation on citizenship, licensure, loan status, and site employment.
- Review takes 3–6 weeks.
- Applicants are prioritized if they: Have prior NHSC scholarships, come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and commit to long-term service in shortage areas.
Requirements & Restrictions
- Full-time: Minimum 40 hours/week for 45 weeks per year
- Part-time: Minimum 20 hours/week for 45 weeks per year
- Must submit service verification every six months
- Can apply for renewal if loans remain after initial term
- Repayments are not taxable
Perkins Loan Cancellation/Discharge
Though the Federal Perkins Loan Program ended in 2017, some borrowers still hold Perkins loans that qualify for cancellation or discharge, especially those in public service roles like nursing.
Eligibility
- Received a Perkins loan after 1998
- Work full-time as a nurse or medical technician
- Use your education and training in the qualifying field
Most nursing roles qualify, including RNs, LPN/LVNs, and NPs.
How to Apply
- Apply through your college or university’s financial aid office or loan servicer, as Perkins loans were institutionally managed.
- Be prepared to verify your employment and submit documentation of your nursing work history.
Requirements & Restrictions
Borrowers can receive up to 100% loan cancellation over 5 years:
- 15% after Year 1
- 15% after Year 2
- 20% after Year 3
- 20% after Year 4
- 30% after Year 5
In special cases (death, bankruptcy, or permanent disability), full discharge may be granted.
Military Student Loan Forgiveness for Nurses
Nurses with military service can access unique student loan forgiveness opportunities in addition to federal and state programs. These benefits extend to veterans, active-duty service members, and reservists and vary by branch.
Each program carries its own eligibility rules, service commitments, and repayment limits, but all share a single goal: rewarding nurses who serve their country while helping them achieve financial freedom from student debt.
Army Active Duty Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP)
Active-duty nurses in the U.S. Army may qualify for the Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP), which provides generous support toward educational loans.
Program Highlights:
- Up to $120,000 total repayment, distributed as $40,000 per year for three years
- Can be combined with the $10,000 Accession Bonus
- Requires an active-duty service commitment (typically six years total if combined with the bonus)
- Applies to loans used for nursing education
Participation in HPLRP does not affect other benefits such as healthcare coverage, housing allowances, or retirement plans.
Army Reserve Healthcare Professionals Loan Repayment Program
For nurses serving in the U.S. Army Reserve, this program mirrors the active-duty version but offers flexibility for reservists.
Program Highlights:
- Up to $20,000 per year in repayment (maximum $60,000 total)
- Open to nurses with qualifying educational loans
- Applies to a wide range of nursing roles, including: FNP, PMHNP, Nurse Anesthetist, Critical Care Nurse, Operating Room Nurse, Public Health Nurse
Participants must meet service obligations and maintain good standing in the Reserve.
Army Reserve College Loan Repayment Program
The College Loan Repayment Program (CLRP) supports reservists (including nurses) who enlist in critical skill positions.
Program Highlights:
- Pays 15% of the loan balance or $1,500 per year of service (whichever is greater)
- Maximum repayment of $20,000
- Applies only to loans covered under the Higher Education Act of 1965
- Participants must decline GI Bill enrollment and enlist for at least 6 years
Navy Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP)
The Navy HPLRP provides financial relief for new or current active-duty healthcare professionals, including nurses.
Program Highlights:
- Up to $40,000 per year in loan repayment (minus taxes)
- Covers a wide range of healthcare roles
- Requires a naval commission and an active-duty service commitment (often a minimum of three years)
- Open to both new accessions and current active-duty members seeking to extend their commitment
Participants must hold a professional nursing license and meet Navy commissioning requirements.
Air Force Active Duty Health Professions Loan Repayment Program
The Air Force offers a similar program to assist early-career nurses within the Nurse Corps.
Program Highlights:
- Up to $40,000 per year (minus taxes) for two years
- Designed for active-duty nurses with qualifying student loans
- Loans must have been used to finance a recognized health or nursing degree
This program allows nurses to reduce student loan debt while advancing their military and professional careers.
State Loan Forgiveness & Repayment Programs for Nurses
In addition to federal and military programs, every U.S. state (and Washington, D.C.) offers some form of student loan repayment assistance for nurses and other healthcare professionals.
These programs typically reward service in underserved or rural areas, nursing education roles, or critical shortage facilities, with commitments ranging from one to five years.
Below you’ll find a state-by-state snapshot of available options. For the most accurate and current details, visit each program’s official site before applying.
| Alabama | Advanced Practice Loans | The Alabama Board of Nursing offers up to $15,000 to Alabama residents who are in or have completed (within five years) ABN-approved graduate programs to become certified registered nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, or certified registered nurse anesthetists. Requires 18-month service commitment at an Alabama critical need site. |
| Alaska | Strengthening Healthcare Access Recruitment Program (SHARP) Incentive | Alaska offers partial educational loan repayment to licensed nurses who provide at least 80% direct patient care services within the state. Requires two-year work commitment at an eligible facility. |
| Arizona | Department of Health Services Loan Repayment Program | Primary care nurses or those working in rural settings can receive loan repayment assistance in exchange for a two-year service commitment in underserved or shortage areas. |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Graduate Nursing Education Student Loan and Scholarship Program | The program offers loan to scholarship conversion opportunities to APRNs and nurse educators. Requires commitment to full-time service in a qualifying facility (APRNs) or full-time teaching at an Arkansas nursing school (nurse educators). |
| California | OSHPD Loan Repayment Programs | The Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) and its partners administer seven student loan repayment programs focusing on a range of licensed nursing professions (including this Bachelor of Science in Nursing Loan Repayment Program). |
| Colorado | Colorado Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program | The CHSC provides substantial loan repayment opportunities to APRNs, nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists in exchange for three-year service commitments at CHSC-eligible sites. Amounts are up to $90,000 (full-time), $67,500 (¾ time), and $45,000 (part-time). |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Student Loan Repayment Program | Loan repayment opportunities of up to $50,000 (full-time) and $25,000 (part-time) are available to APRNs, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists in exchange for a two-year service commitment in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) site in the state. |
| Delaware | Delaware Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program | NPs, certified nurse-midwives, and clinical nurse specialists can receive loan repayments of up to $50,000 per year for up to four years (up to $200,000 total) of full-time service commitment in an underserved area of the state. Part-time commitments for lesser repayment amounts are also available. |
| District of Columbia | DC Health Professional Loan Repayment Program | DC residents with an active RN or APRN license may be eligible for up to just over $83,000 in student debt assistance if they work in a shortage area or underserved community. |
| Florida | Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness Program | LPNs, RNs, and APRNs in Florida can participate in this program, which provides $4,000 in repayment funds each year for up to four years in exchange for full-time service at a designated practice site. |
| Georgia | APRN Loan Repayment Program | This program supports full-time nurse practitioners serving rural communities by providing up to $10,000 in loan relief annually. Contracts may be renewed for three additional terms ($40,000 total). |
| Hawaii | Hawaii Loan Repayment Program | Open to primary care providers like RNs and APRNs, this program repays some educational loans in full if you work in a shortage area for at least two years. |
| Idaho | State Loan Repayment Programs | Nurses at every level of practice can receive up to $75,000 in loan assistance each year in exchange for a two-year service obligation. |
| Illinois | Illinois National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program | Licensed nurse midwives and nurse practitioners in Illinois can collect up to $50,000 in repayment funds for two years of full-time service at an approved location. |
| Indiana | Indiana State Loan Repayment Program | Up to $20,000 in loan repayments available to RNs, primary care NPs, certified nurse-midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists in exchange for a two-year service commitment at a federally-designated HPSA site in the state. Can be renewed for one additional two-year term (up to $40,000 total repayment). |
| Iowa | Health Care Professional Incentive Program | This program provides federal student loan repayment to health care professionals (including RNs and nurse educators) of up to $40,000 for up to five years of full-time service in a high needs area in the state. |
| Kansas | Kansas State Loan Repayment Program | Kansas provides annual payments of up to $15,000 (for first two years of service commitment) to qualified RNs and nurse practitioners with outstanding student debt. Service continuation options are available. |
| Kentucky | Kentucky State Loan Repayment Program | This initiative awards amounts of up to $40,000 to RNs and $60,000 to NPs, certified nurse-midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists in exchange for a two-year service commitment at an eligible Kentucky-based facility. |
| Louisiana | Louisiana State Loan Repayment Program | Louisiana offers up to $20,000 in relief annually across an initial three-year service commitment at an eligible practice site to primary care NPs, certified nurse-midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists. |
| Maine | FAME Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program | Available to nurses in Maine with outstanding education loans related to their graduate nursing degrees who commit to at least three years of service as a nurse educator in the state. Amounts are available of up to $20,000 (full-time) and $10,000 (part-time) for master’s graduates and up to $40,000 (full-time) and $20,000 (part-time) for doctoral graduates. |
| Maryland | Maryland Loan Repayment Programs | Loan repayment amounts of up to $50,000 for RNs and LPNs and up to $100,000 for NPs, certified nurse-midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists. Requires a two-year full-time service commitment. Part-time commitments in half of full-time amounts are also available. |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts Loan Repayment Program for Health Professionals | NPs, APRNs, certified nurse-midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists working in underserved communities can receive up to $50,000 in assistance for a two-year service commitment. |
| Michigan | Nurse Loan Repayment Program | Michigan’s NLRP offers up to $300,000 in tax-free assistance over up to ten years (or four years for nurses employed by a state psychiatric facility) in exchange for a two-year service commitment at a not-for-profit practice site in the state or as an instructor at a Michigan school of nursing. |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Health Care Loan Forgiveness Programs | Minnesota offers several loan repayment opportunities for nurses willing to commit to a term of service (lengths vary by position) at an eligible practice site in the state. Plans offer up to $6,000 for RNs, $9,000 for teachers in postsecondary nursing programs, and $13,000 for psychiatric NPs. |
| Mississippi | Nurse Retention Loan Repayment Program | The NULR provides up to $6,000 annually (for a maximum of three years) to RNs and LPNs with outstanding postsecondary education loans. Recipients must be working full-time in skilled nursing homes or general acute care hospitals in the state. |
| Missouri | Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP) | Open to RNs (employed at a hospital or hospital-affiliated health care facility) and public health nurses in exchange for a two-year service obligation in an underserved area. Amounts vary from $10,000 to $65,000 based on postsecondary degree level. |
| Montana | Montana State Loan Repayment Program | RNs, NPs, certified nurse-midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists may receive up to $50,000 total to repay educational loan debt in exchange for two years of service at an approved HPSA site. |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Loan Repayment Program | RNs (bachelor’s level), NPs, and certified nurse registered nurse anesthetists may receive up to $100,000 in loan repayment in exchange for a service commitment of at least two years in a qualifying Nebraska shortage area. |
| Nevada | Nevada Health Equity and Loan Assistance (HEAL) Program | The HEAL program offers loan repayment of up to $10,000 per year ($50,000 maximum) to licensed nurses who commit to at least five years of clinical practice in an eligible Nevada community. |
| New Hampshire | State Loan Repayment Program | Loan repayment opportunities available to nurses (up to $30,000 for primary care RNs, and up to $45,000 for APRNs, certified nurse-midwives, and psychiatric nurse practitioners) in return for a 36-month commitment to practice full-time in a state-designated underserved area. Two-year part-time options and commitment length extensions are also available. |
| New Jersey | Primary Care Practitioner Loan Redemption Program | Primary care certified nurse-midwives and certified NPs are eligible for up to $120,000 in loan repayment in exchange for a two- or four-year service obligation in a designated professional shortage area in New Jersey. |
| New Mexico | Health Professional Loan Repayment Program | Offers up to $25,000 in loan forgiveness to health professionals, including nurses, in exchange for a three-year commitment to work full-time in a designated medical shortage area in the state. |
| New York | Nurses Across New York (NANY) Loan Repayment Program | The NANY currently pays up to $25,000 to RNs and up to $10,000 to LPNs in loan repayment funds for a commitment to serve in a designated nursing shortage area in the state. |
| North Carolina | North Carolina Nurse Initiative | Through this program, RNs and clinical nurse specialists may receive up to $40,000 in loan repayment funding in exchange for a service commitment of up to four-years of full-time employment serving North Carolina residents in HPSA highest need areas. |
North Dakota | Healthcare Professional Loan Repayment Program | RNs and APRNs in North Dakota can receive up to $20,000 from the state plus a $2,000 employer match for repayment of educational loans in exchange for up to five years of service commitment in an underserved area. |
| Ohio | Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program | The NEALP (a loan program that does not go into repayment) is available to nursing students who are attending an Ohio nursing school on at least a half-time basis. RNs receive $1,800 annually and LPNs receive $1,002 annually in exchange for a service commitment to practice or teach in the state. Recipient must serve as a full-time nurse for five years to qualify for 100 percent loan cancellation. |
| Oklahoma | – | The State of Oklahoma currently does not sponsor any student loan repayment programs for nurses. However, some individual employers in the state offer loan repayment opportunities for their nurse employees. |
| Oregon | Oregon Partnership Loan Repayment Program | RNs, primary care NPs, nurse-midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists can receive assistance equaling up to 50% of their eligible education debt (maximum of $100,000 for a two-year service commitment plus two one-year continuations) in exchange for full-time work at an eligible site. Part-time awards are also available. |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Primary Care Loan Repayment Program | Certified nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives working in the Keystone State are eligible for up to $48,000 (full-time) and $24,000 (part-time) in loan repayment funding in exchange for a two-year service commitment at an eligible practice site. |
| Rhode Island | Health Professionals Loan Repayment Program | RNs, NPs, psychiatric nurse specialists, and certified nurse-midwives who provide direct patient care at an eligible facility can receive student loan assistance. Specific payment amounts vary based on income and debt amount for an initial two-year service commitment, with a maximum of $50,000. |
| South Carolina | South Carolina Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program | This program offers up to $25,000 in education debt repayment for healthcare professionals (including APRNs, psychiatric nurse specialists, certified nurse anesthetists, and some RNs) making a two-year commitment to practice in underserviced or rural areas in the state. |
| South Dakota | – | South Dakota does not currently offer any state-sponsored student loan repayment programs for nurses. However, federal repayment options may be available. |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Loan Repayment Program | For a two-year service obligation in a healthcare shortage area, Tennessee-based APRNs, certified nurse-midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists may receive up to $50,000 in repayment for education loan debt, with a continuation option for up to an additional $20,000. |
| Texas | Nurse Loan Repayment Assistance Program | This program provides student loan debt repayment funding of up to $5,000 for LVNs, up to $9,000 for RNs, and up to $16,000 for APRNs (annually, maximum of three years) employed in the state. |
| Utah | Health Care Workforce Financial Assistance Program | Loan repayment opportunities are available to nurses making a three-year service commitment to work at a program-approved site. Full-time employment amounts of up to $15,000 (RNs with an AA degree), $30,000 (RNs with a bachelor’s degree), and $45,000 (APRNs and certified nurse midwives) are available. Half-amount awards may be available for part-time workers. |
| Vermont | Vermont Educational Loan Repayment Program for Health Care Professionals | LPNs, RNs, APRNs, and certified nurse-midwives may qualify for this program, which provides up to $10,000 per year in repayment for a minimum service commitment of one year in an HPSA-designated underserved area within the state. |
| Virginia | Virginia State Loan Repayment Program | Virginia RNs, NPs, and nurse-midwives can use this program and secure up to $100,000 in loan assistance for a two-year service commitment in an HPSA-qualifying shortage area. Extensions for three or four years are possible, with up to $40,000 additional loan repayment funding available. |
| Washington | WHC Health Professional Loan Repayment Program | The program awards up to $75,000 in loan repayment to licensed health professionals (including LPNs, RNs, NPs, and certified nurse-midwives) who fulfill a three-year service contract in an HSPA shortage area. A similar program, also offering up to $75,000 for a three-year teaching commitment, is available for nurse educators. |
| West Virginia | State Loan Repayment Program | West Virginia offers up to $40,000 to nurse practitioners and nurse midwives who fulfill a two-year obligation. A participant may be able to extend their agreement for up to an additional $20,000 per year (maximum extension of two years). |
| Wisconsin | Health Professions Loan Assistance Program | Qualifying NPs and certified nurse-midwives can receive up to $50,000 in loan assistance in exchange for a three-year full-time service commitment in an eligible underserved rural or urban community. |
| Wyoming | – | Wyoming does not currently offer a state-funded student loan repayment program for nurses. Federal loan repayment programs may be available. |
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