Nurse Loan Forgiveness by State

Nurse Loan Forgiveness by State

You can get help to lessen your student debt through nursing loan forgiveness programs. Discover how you might qualify for student loan forgiveness in nursing based on your state. Studying nursing costs both time and money, especially if you pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree. However, national and state programs offer nurse loan forgiveness. These programs usually require you to work for several years in designated healthcare shortage areas or for non-profit and government employers.

Some states limit loan forgiveness to nurse practitioners (NPs) or behavioral health providers. This article outlines state options for loan forgiveness for nurses and their requirements. Be sure to check the state’s site for full information.

Refinancing Your Nursing School Loans: What You Should Know

States Offering Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness

Most states have nursing loan forgiveness to help with the national nurse shortage. Some states provide forgivable loans for aspiring nurses still studying nursing. These loans are forgiven after working in the community for a certain number of years.

This guide looks into each state’s program and requirements, including repayment amounts, eligibility criteria, and application procedures.

Arkansas

Details: Arkansas doesn’t have a state loan repayment program for nurses. You can find more about national debt forgiveness programs for nurses.

California

Details: California offers up to $50,000 in loan repayment for nursing bachelor’s degrees. This is for working full-time in underserved areas for at least two years. Part-time workers can get up to $25,000 over two years.

Nurses can extend the program after the initial two years. Full-time nurses can get another $20,000 after their third and fourth years working in under served areas. Each subsequent year will grant them another $10,000.

Eligibility: Nurses in good standing with unpaid student debt who work in qualifying shortage areas, correctional institutes, Native Indian health centers, or federally qualified health centers qualify. The repayment program is for NPs, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists.

Colorado

Details: The Colorado Health Service Corps program can repay up to $90,000 in student loans for full-time nurses working in health shortage areas. It offers up to $67,500 for nurses working three-quarter time and $45,000 for those working half-time. Nurses need to work in shortage areas for at least three years to be eligible.

The funds from this program can be used to repay federal or commercial loans taken for nursing school.

Eligibility: NPs, nurse midwives, advanced practice registered nurses with specific training, and certified psychiatric nurse specialists can qualify. They must work in shortage areas at sites accepting Medicare and Medicaid and offering sliding-scale payments.

Writing Tips for Nursing School Students

Connecticut

Details: Connecticut’s student loan repayment program repays loans used for nursing degrees. Registered nurses must work in health shortage areas for two years. They receive $10,000 after the first year and $12,500 after the second. They can apply for extensions of $15,000 per year but can benefit from a maximum of four years in the program.

Eligibility: Primary care certified nurses, certified nurse-midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists can qualify. Beneficiaries must be U.S. citizens.

Delaware

Details: Delaware’s student loan repayment program pays between $30,000 and $60,000 for loans in good standing. This is for a two-year commitment to work in underserved areas in the state. The exact amount depends on a nurse’s qualifications.

Eligibility: NPs, nurse midwives, registered nurses, and psychiatric nurse specialists are eligible. They must work in designated HPSAs.

Florida

Details: Florida offers student loan forgiveness for nurses with outstanding nursing degree loan debt. The program provides up to $4,000 per year for up to four years.

Eligibility: Licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, or advanced registered nurse practitioners can qualify. They must work for government healthcare providers, schools, teaching hospitals, or other licensed healthcare facilities.

Georgia

Details: Georgia’s Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Loan Repayment Program repays up to $10,000 per year to APRNs in the state. Nurses can benefit from the program for up to four years. It’s for nurses working in medically under-served, rural counties with fewer than 35,000 residents.

Eligibility: Advanced practice registered nurses who are U.S. citizens or nationals. They must work at healthcare providers that accept Medicaid.

Hawaii

Hawaii helps nurses in underserved areas by forgiving student loans. You need to work for two years and can extend it by one year. The award amount isn’t fixed, and it varies depending on funding. Your employer should match half of it.

Eligibility: Nurses with graduate degrees, like registered nurses, nurse practitioners (NPs), certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists can apply. You must be a U.S. citizen or national and work at sites that accept certain insurance.

Idaho

Idaho gives money to nurses who work in underserved areas for two years. Employers match the award. The amount depends on your employer’s match, ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 each year.

Eligibility: NPs, registered nurses, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists with student loan debt and valid licenses can apply.

Illinois

Illinois has two programs. One helps nurses in veterans’ homes, awarding up to $5,000 per year. The other assists advanced practice nurses in behavioral health settings, giving $15,000 per year.

Eligibility: Nurses in Illinois who are U.S. citizens and not in loan default can apply.

Indiana

Indiana repays student loans for nurses in shortage areas. You get $20,000 after two years, and can reapply for up to $40,000 after four years.

Eligibility: Registered nurses, primary care NPs, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists qualify. Work in nonprofit or government settings in shortage areas.

Iowa

Iowa gives $40,000 for two years of service in underserved areas. Nurses with valid licenses can apply.

Eligibility: NPs, advanced registered nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, psychiatric nurse specialists, and registered nurses can apply.

Kansas

Kansas offers up to $70,000 in five years for working in underserved areas. NPs, registered nurses, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists can apply.

Eligibility: U.S. citizens working in nonprofit or public healthcare practices within designated areas.

Kentucky

Kentucky repays student loans up to $60,000 over two years for working in underserved areas.

Eligibility: Registered nurses, NPs, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists qualify.

Louisiana

Louisiana offers up to $50,000 per year for three years for full-time work in underserved areas.

Eligibility: Primary care NPs, nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists can apply.

Maine

Maine had a loan repayment program, but it’s currently closed with no plans to reopen.

Maryland

Maryland repays student loans based on roles. You can get up to $100,000 for two years as an NP, nurse midwife, or nurse anesthetist.

Eligibility: Work at a nonprofit and have loans for nursing education.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts offers up to $50,000 for two years of work in underserved areas.

Eligibility: Certified NPs, nurse midwives, psychiatric clinical nurse specialists can apply.

Michigan

Michigan offers up to $300,000 across 10 years for working in underserved areas.

Eligibility: NPs, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists with a master’s degree can apply.

Minnesota

Minnesota gives up to $20,000 per year for working in underserved areas.

Eligibility: Psychiatric NPs, psychiatric nurse specialists, and registered nurses qualify.

Mississippi

Mississippi offers forgivable loans to nursing students.

Eligibility: Graduate students in nursing.

Missouri

Missouri repays loans up to $20,000 per year for registered nurses and $40,000 for advanced practice nurses.

Eligibility: Registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses can apply.

Montana

Montana repays up to $150,000 over four years for working in underserved areas.

Eligibility: NPs, primary care registered nurses, certified nurse midwives qualify.

Nebraska

Nebraska repays up to $90,000 over three years for working in underserved areas.

Eligibility: Nurse practitioners, registered nurses practicing in HPSAs qualify.

Nevada

Nevada offers up to $25,000 per year for working in rural areas.

Eligibility: NPs, registered nurses, BSN graduates can apply.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire offers up to $45,000 over three years for working part-time and up to $65,000 for full-time.

Eligibility: Advanced practice registered nurses, certified nurse midwives can apply.

New Jersey

New Jersey offers forgiveness based on service years.

Eligibility: Residents with graduate-level degrees, holding licenses, can apply.

New Mexico

New Mexico repays loans based on need.

Eligibility: Valid nursing license, residency in the state, full-time employment.

New York

New York supports nursing faculty members.

Eligibility: Current residents, registered nurses with graduate degrees.

North Carolina

North Carolina offers up to $50,000 after three years of service in underserved areas.

Eligibility: NPs, psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioners, psychiatric nurse specialists can apply.

Common College Courses for Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs)

North Dakota

Program: The ND Healthcare Professional Loan Repayment Program is designed to help medical professionals repay their student loans and encourage them to work in communities where there is a shortage of such experts. This program also involves the local community, and the specific amount of assistance depends on the profession.

Nurse Benefits: Nurses are eligible to receive up to $4,000 per year, totaling up to $20,000 over a span of five years. To receive this benefit, the nurse’s profession or another organization must contribute 10% of the state’s funds, allowing these nurses to receive a combined amount of $22,000 over five years.

Who Can Apply: Primary care NPs, certified nurse midwives, registered nurses, and specialty practice nurses are eligible to apply. However, they must be employed at a healthcare facility that accepts Medicare and Medicaid assignments. Priority is given to applicants working in areas facing critical shortages or at least 20 miles away from cities with more than 40,000 residents.

Ohio

Information: Ohio has a program to help nursing students. If you’re studying nursing in Ohio, you can get financial assistance. This program can also help those who are already studying nursing and have at least six credit hours. If you work as a full-time registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse in Ohio for five years, the loan will be forgiven.

Who Can Apply: You need to live in Ohio and be doing well in your studies. The program considers your financial need, and you need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

Oklahoma

Information: Oklahoma doesn’t have a program that repays loans for nurses. You can check here for national programs that offer loan forgiveness for nurses.
Oregon

Information: Oregon has a program to help nurses who work in certain areas. If you work in an underserved area, the state can help pay off your loans. Your practice site needs to match the award. If you commit to two years of full-time service or four years of part-time service, you can get up to $35,000 per year if you work full-time, or up to $17,500 if you work part-time. This can help pay off your loans. During the first two years, you can’t get more than half of your loan balance paid off in a year.

Who Can Apply: Primary care NPs, certified nurse-midwives, psychiatric nurse specialists, and registered nurses can apply. You need to work or commit to work in an underserved area.

Pennsylvania

Information: Pennsylvania wants to encourage nurses to work in underserved communities. If you work in these areas, you can get money to pay off your student loans. You can get up to $48,000 for two years of service. If you work part-time, you can get up to $24,000 over two years.

Who Can Apply: Certified registered NPs and certified nurse midwives with active Pennsylvania nursing licenses can apply.

Rhode Island

Information: Rhode Island helps social workers who work in certain places. They repay your loans if you work in a public or nonprofit outpatient facility. If you work full-time for two years or part-time for four years, they’ll help with your loans.

Unlike other states, Rhode Island doesn’t say how much they’ll repay each year. They promise to pay the full amount stated in your service contract.

Who Can Apply: NPs, certified nurse-midwives, psychiatric nurse specialists, and registered nurses can apply. If you work in an outpatient setting, registered nurses can apply too.

South Carolina

Information: South Carolina doesn’t have a program to repay nursing loans. You can look here for national programs that offer loan forgiveness for nurses.

South Dakota

Information: South Dakota helps nurses working in certain areas pay back their loans. If you work for two years, they’ll give you money to repay your loans. If you work full-time, you can get up to $25,000 each year. If you work part-time, you can get up to $12,500 each year.

Who Can Apply: NPs, registered nurses, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists can apply. You need a valid professional license.

Tennessee

Information: Tennessee wants to encourage nurses to work in certain areas. If you work in a high-need area, they’ll help pay off your student loans. You can get up to $50,000 after two years of service. After the first two years, you can apply again for up to $20,000 per year.

Who Can Apply: Advanced practice nurses, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists can apply. You need to be licensed to practice in Tennessee and have qualifying educational loans.

Texas

Information: Texas has a program to help healthcare providers working in underserved communities. If you work for at least one year in a qualifying community, they’ll give you money to repay your loans. The community needs to have a population of 50,000 or fewer.

Who Can Apply: Nurses with a Texas license can apply. If you got your license in the past two years or moved from a larger community to a qualifying one, you can apply.

Utah

Information: Utah’s program helps residents who work in underserved areas. If you work for three years in a health facility in these areas, they’ll help repay your loans. The amount you get depends on your education level. Registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree can get up to $30,000, and those with an associate degree can get up to $15,000. Your employer needs to match 20% of the award.

Who Can Apply: Registered nurses with a state license can apply. You need to apply within 18 months of starting your job at an approved site.

Vermont

Information: Vermont helps nurses who work in areas where there aren’t enough healthcare workers. Depending on your nursing specialty and license, you can get different amounts. Some nurses can get up to $50,000 per year, while others can get up to $15,000 per year.

Who Can Apply: NPs, registered nurses, and certified nurse midwives can apply. You need a state nursing license and work at least 20 clinical hours per week for 45 weeks per year.

Virginia

Information: Virginia helps healthcare professionals who work in certain areas pay back their loans. If you work in an underserved area, they’ll pay up to $50,000 for two years. The program requires your employer to match the amount, so you can get up to $100,000 in two years. You can apply for extensions and get up to $40,000 per year for the third and fourth year.

Who Can Apply: Nurse practitioners, registered nurses, nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists with a Virginia license can apply.

Washington

Information: Washington encourages healthcare professionals to work in areas where there aren’t enough healthcare services. If you work in an underserved area, you can get up to $75,000 for three years of work. You need to work at least 24 hours per week and not be away from the clinic for more than 40 days per year. This program is for nonprofit clinics.

Who Can Apply: NPs, registered nurses, and certified nurse midwives with a Washington state license can apply.

West Virginia

Information: West Virginia repays loans for nursing professionals. If you work full-time for at least two years in an underserved area, they’ll repay up to $40,000 of your loans. You can apply for one-year extensions and get up to $25,000 for the third and fourth year. The maximum award is $90,000 for four years.

If you have a bachelor’s of science in nursing, you can get up to $25,000 for your initial two-year commitment and up to $12,500 per year for extensions, with a maximum of $50,000 across four years.

Who Can Apply: Primary care NPs, certified nurse midwives, certified NPs, and those with a bachelor’s of science in nursing can apply. You need a West Virginia nursing license.

Wisconsin

Information: Wisconsin helps nurses who work in areas where there aren’t enough healthcare workers. If you work in an underserved community for at least three years, they’ll help pay back your loans. You can get up to $25,000 for each year you work. You can do this program twice and get up to $50,000 across six years.

Who Can Apply: NPs and certified nurse midwives with a valid nursing license in the state can apply. You need to write an essay explaining your practice site choice and why you’ll keep working there after your service.

Wyoming

Information: Wyoming helps healthcare professionals work in areas where there aren’t enough healthcare services. They’ll give you money to repay your loans if you work for at least two years. They prioritize applications based on how much the community needs help. If you work in an area with a high need, you’ll be prioritized over others.

Who Can Apply: NPs, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists with a Wyoming license can apply. Those who studied at the University of Wyoming or a Wyoming community college will be given priority.