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is any type of program that erases some or all of your medical school loan debt after you meet certain criteria. Medical school loan forgiveness may be available through the federal government, your state government or some other program. In general, this type of student loan forgiveness is reserved for doctors who work in locations where there’s a high need for medical professionals and for those who work for nonprofit organizations or the government. 6 medical school loan forgiveness programs for doctors
Below is a list of six student loan forgiveness programs for doctors to consider if you’re looking for ways to reduce your medical school debt. Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Best for Doctors who work for nonprofit or public medical institutions for 10 or more years
(PSLF) is a federal student loan repayment plan available to many professionals who work full time for qualifying nonprofit organizations or government agencies. In many cases, this can include internships or residencies with a qualifying nonprofit or public hospital. Doctors who wish to use the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program do need to have the right types of student loans. Only federal Direct Loans are eligible, though you can Perkins or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans in order to participate in the program. mean that anyone who consolidates their loans and applies for PSLF before Oct. 31, 2022, can have previous qualifying payments on Perkins or FFEL loans counted toward PSLF. Private student loans are not eligible. To get your balance forgiven, you’ll need to make 10 years’ worth of on-time payments (120 in total) toward your student debt on an income-driven repayment plan. Loan Student Key takeaway PSLF is a way to save money if you work in a public service job, yet it won’t wipe out your medical school debt completely. National Health Service Corps NHSC Loan Repayment Program
Best for Doctors and other health care professionals who are interested in working with underserved communities
The Health Resources and Services Administration offers a (among other assistance) to eligible health care professionals. To qualify for forgiveness, you’ll need to be licensed and work in an eligible discipline. Eligible workers include: Physicians (DO/MD). Health Service Psychologists (HSP). Nurse Practitioners (NP). Physician Assistants (PA). Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM). Psychiatric Nurse Specialists (PNS). Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT). Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). A service commitment to work for at least two years in a critical-need medical facility (as ) could wipe out as much as $50,000 of eligible student debt. If you earn a continuation contract, your third, fourth and fifth year of service can get you up to an additional $25,000 annually. Even if you can only work on a part-time basis, you might still receive some amount of forgiveness through the program. Loan Student Key takeaway The NHSC LRP is a tax-free forgiveness program for eligible full-time and part-time medical professionals who choose to work in high-need area. NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program
Best for Students interested in primary health care service who are able to relocate to a Health Professional Shortage Age HSPA
Eligible students in their last year of medical, nursing or dental school may be able to qualify for as much as $120,000 in loan repayments through this program. Loan repayments are made in four annual installments, up to a maximum of $30,000 per year. To qualify, medical students, nursing students or dental students will need to commit to work in full-time clinical practice for three years in an NHSC-approved site. Loan Student Key takeaway The NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program can be a great way to wipe out a large portion of your medical school debt with tax-free funds. Indian Health Service IHS Loan Repayment Program
Best for Doctors who are interested in the cultural or financial rewards of serving American Indian or Alaska Native communities
Doctors who commit to work for at least two years in medical facilities designed to serve American Indian or Alaska Native communities may be eligible to participate in this program. The will repay as much as $40,000 of your eligible medical school student loans in exchange for the commitment. While you’ll need to sign on for the initial two-year service contract, you may be able to extend your contract until you’ve paid off all of your qualified student loan debt. Loan Student Key takeaway Working in American Indian or Alaska Native health care might help you to eliminate a significant portion of eligible medical school debt. Armed forces loan repayment programs
Best for Doctors and medical school students interested in serving in the armed forces
Doctors who serve in the U.S. military may receive financial aid, such as scholarships or student loan repayment perks, in exchange for their service. Different branches of the armed forces offer slightly different benefits. The Air Force, for example, provides doctors with a $45,000 , plus a $2,000 monthly stipend for living expenses. You can talk to a recruiter for the specific branch of the military you’re considering to learn more about your options. Loan Student Key takeaway There are numerous repayment programs and other medical school financial aid available to doctors who commit to become service members. State student loan forgiveness programs
Best for Doctors working states with critical shortages of health care professionals
Many states offer student loan aid to doctors and other health care professionals. You can consult the to see if your state offers student loan forgiveness, repayment programs or scholarships that might benefit you. The National Health Service Corps also provides grants through the to all 50 states and U.S. territories so they can offer their own student loan repayment programs. Requirements for state-specific medical school loan forgiveness programs can differ widely from one state to the next. Yet as a general rule of thumb, a two- to four-year commitment to serve a community with a health care professional shortage might help you eliminate a portion of your student debt while helping your state fulfill a critical need. Loan Student Key takeaway Check your state’s loan repayment programs to see if there are any specific to your profession. Other ways to repay medical school debt
If you can’t qualify for medical school loan forgiveness, or if you’re only eligible for partial forgiveness, there are other strategies that could help you repay your debt. Apply for an income-driven repayment plan
Eligible borrowers may be able to lower their monthly student loan payment through an . There are five plans to choose from, and some allow you to stretch out your payments for up to 25 years. While this approach may keep you in debt for a longer period of time, it could also reduce your monthly payments if you’re struggling to keep up with the standard amount. Accelerate repayment
Depending on your financial situation, another option you might want to consider is paying more than the minimum amount due each month. Paying more than you owe allows you to reduce your principal loan balance faster. In the long run, this could save you money by lowering the total amount of interest you will pay. Refinance your student loans
Another potential way to wipe out your medical school debt faster is . If you have very good or excellent credit (or a who fits this bill), you might be able to qualify for a lower interest rate on a new loan with a private lender. However, if you’re thinking about , be sure to factor in the benefits you would give up in the process before you make your final decision. Next steps
Finding the right student loan forgiveness programs can be a great strategy to reduce your medical school debt. Evaluate your career goals before applying; if you’re willing to relocate or work in a high-need area, you’re more likely to qualify. Learn more
SHARE: Michelle Lambright Black is a credit expert with over 19 years of experience, a freelance writer and a certified credit expert witness. In addition to writing for Bankrate, Michelle's work is featured with numerous publications including FICO, Experian, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report and Reader’s Digest, among others. Chelsea has been with Bankrate since early 2020. She is invested in helping students navigate the high costs of college and breaking down the complexities of student loans. Mark Kantrowitz is an expert on student financial aid, the FAFSA, scholarships, 529 plans, education tax benefits and student loans. Related Articles