Student Loan Forgiveness for Nurses

Federal and state student loan repayment and forgiveness programs open to nurses, summarized from official sources with the date we last checked each one.

Check which programs fit you

Federal programs for nurses

Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Health care Nurses

Who it's for: Registered nurses, advanced practice RNs and nurse faculty.
Service required: Two years at a critical shortage facility or eligible nursing school, with an option for a third year.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

NIH Loan Repayment Programs

National Institutes of Health

Health care Researchers Nurses Physicians & PAs Dental Mental & behavioral health Pharmacists Veterinarians

Award: Up to $50,000 a year
Who it's for: Researchers with a doctoral-level degree doing qualifying biomedical or behavioral research, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and veterinarians in research.
Service required: Two-year (or longer) contract to do qualifying research.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program

Indian Health Service (HHS)

Health care Rural service Nurses Physicians & PAs Dental Mental & behavioral health Pharmacists

Award: Up to $50,000
Who it's for: Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, behavioral health and other health clinicians serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Service required: Initial two-year service commitment at an eligible Indian health program site.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Health care Rural service Nurses Physicians & PAs Mental & behavioral health Pharmacists

Award: Up to $100,000 for full-time service
Who it's for: Physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, social workers, counselors and other clinicians treating substance use disorders in rural communities.
Service required: Three years at a rural NHSC-approved substance use disorder treatment facility.

The 2026 cycle accepted applications Jan 30 to Mar 31, 2026; check the official page for the next cycle.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Health care Nurses Physicians & PAs Mental & behavioral health Pharmacists

Who it's for: Licensed clinicians, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, counselors and other behavioral health professionals, providing substance use disorder treatment.
Service required: Service at an NHSC-approved substance use disorder treatment facility.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

Faculty Loan Repayment Program

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Health care Nurses Dental Mental & behavioral health Pharmacists

Who it's for: Health professions faculty from disadvantaged backgrounds, including medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy and behavioral health faculty.
Service required: Two years as faculty at an eligible health professions school.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

Perkins Loan Cancellation

U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid

Teachers Public service Any field Nurses

Award: Up to 100% of a Perkins Loan
Who it's for: Perkins borrowers in qualifying jobs such as teachers, nurses, law enforcement, firefighters and others.
Service required: Qualifying full-time service; cancellation builds year by year.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid

Any field Public service

Award: Remaining Direct Loan balance forgiven
Who it's for: Borrowers working full time for a government or qualifying nonprofit employer.
Service required: 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

State programs for nurses

Is there student loan forgiveness for nurses?

Yes. We found 7 federal and 13 state programs that can help nurses, each linked to its official source. Most loan repayment programs require a service commitment, often in a shortage area.

Do nurses qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness?

If you work full time for a government agency or a qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit and have Direct Loans on a qualifying repayment plan, you can qualify for PSLF after 120 qualifying payments, whatever your job title.

Do I have to pay to apply?

No. Official loan repayment and forgiveness programs are free to apply for.