National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program is sponsored by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Loan repayment for primary care medical, dental, and mental/behavioral health clinicians in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), applicable to Boston underserved areas.

NHSC Loan Repayment Program | NHSC U.S. Department of Health & Human ServicesHealth Resources & Services Administration * Current Loan Repayment Recipients * Prospective Loan Repayment Recipients * State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) * Auto-Approved NHSC Sites * Job Search & Provider Recruitment * Job Search Guidance and Tips * Health Workforce Connector * Mission, Work, and Impact * NHSC Program Fact Sheets * Contact the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) 3.

NHSC Loan Repayment Program NHSC Loan Repayment Program The FY 2026 NHSC Loan Repayment Program (LRP) application is open through **Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 7:30 p. m. ET.

** * Read the 2026 NHSC LRP Application and Program Guidance(PDF - 554 KB). It has the information you need to know about the application. Review our definitions(PDF - 200 KB)to clearly understand the APG content.

* Check out our Loan Repayment Program Application Checklist(PDF - 248 KB) to help you with completing and submitting your application. * Compare the three loan repayment programs to determine which one is right for you. **Submitted your application?

We'll notify you of your application status by September 30. ** ### Start your application * If you do not have one, create a My BHW account. * If you have a My BHW account, once logged in select **National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program**.

* The application includes screening questions to assist applicants in determining the program for which they are eligible to apply. ### Get help with your application All of our webinar sessions will be held in Microsoft Teams. You will need to register for the sessions to attend and receive alerts and reminders.

* Three LRPs Application Webinar, **Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 2:00 p. m. ET – 3:30 p.

m. ET** Meeting ID: 252 139 433 482 02 | (240) 800-7959 |Passcode: 500995791# |Passcode: xD34hJ9N * Three LRPs Q&A Session 1, **Thursday, February 26, 2026, 1 – 5 p. m.

ET** * Three LRPs Q&A Session 2, **Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 10 a. m. – 2 p.

m. ET** * Three LRPs Q&A Session 3, **Thursday, March 12, 2026, 1 p. m.

– 5 p. m. ET** * Three LRPs Q&A Session 4, **Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 10 a.

m. – 2:00 p. m.

ET** * Three LRPs Q&A Session 5: **Monday, March 30, 2026, 10 a. m. – 5 p.

m. ET** Licensed primary care providers in eligible disciplines who serve in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) can receive loan repayment assistance through the NHSC Loan Repayment Program (LRP). Licensed behavioral health and oral health care providers within a mental or dental HPSA may also qualify for loan repayment assistance.

In exchange, you must serve at least two years at an NHSC-approved site within a HPSA. **Maternity Care Target Areas** In addition to HPSAs, we also will use designated Maternity Care Target Area (MCTA) scoring to distributematernity care health professionals. MCTAs are specific areas within primary care HPSAs that have a higher need for maternity care services.

We award maternity care health providers using either the primary care HPSA or the MCTA score of their site, whichever is higher. #### Benefits of the NHSC LRP You have an opportunity to increase access to primary care services to communities in need. * **Flexible Service Options** You have a choice of service options: * Two-year full-time clinical practice at an NHSC-approved site.

* Two-year half-time clinical practice at an NHSC-approved site. You will receive funds to repay your outstanding, qualifying, school loans. NHSC loan repayment funds are exempt from federal income and employment taxes.

* **Full-time service:** Up to $75,000 (primary care providers) or $50,000 (for all providers) for a two-year initial term. * **Half-time service:** Up to $37,500 (primary care providers) or $25,000 (for all providers) for a two-year initial term. _**Note**_: If you serve in a private practice, you aren't eligible to practice half-time.

* **Complete Repayment of****Qualifying Loans** After you complete the initial two-year service contract, you may be eligible to apply for additional loan repayment funds to pay any remaining school loans through one-year continuation service contracts. * There is no guarantee that you will receive a continuation contract.

* **Application launch date:**January 30, 2026 * **Application submission deadline:**March 31, 2026 * **Licensure Deadline:**Applicants must have a current, full, unencumbered, unrestricted health professional license, certificate, or registration by date: June 30, 2026 * **Employment start date:** July 18, 2026 * **National Health Service Corps Scholars Programs and Nurse Corps Scholarship Program participants service obligation completion date:**July 31, 2026 * **Notification of award:**September 30, 2026 * **Contract termination deadline:** * 60 days from the effective date of the contract or * At any time if the individual who was awarded the contract has not received their award funds.

Award enhancement for Spanish-language proficiency For the 2026 NHSC loan repayment programs, we aim to address language access barriers to health care.

To support this effort, we will provide a **one-time enhancement award of $5,000** for a total loan repayment award of: **Primary care participants** (physicians, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, physician assistants serving in a primary care HPSA): * **Up to $80,000** for full-time participants. * **Up to $42,500** for half-time participants.

**Non-primary care participants** (physicians, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and physician assistants specializing in behavioral health serving in a mental HPSA, as well as dentists, dental hygienists, and behavioral health providers): * **Up to $55,000** for full-time participants. * **Up to $30,000** for half-time participants.

Award amounts are based on the outstanding balance of an applicant’s qualifying educational loans. Participants must complete the two-year service obligation regardless of the amount of their award. ### Who is eligible for the enhancement?

If you indicated that you have proficiency in Spanish, and your site affirms you provide services in Spanish to patients with limited English proficiency, when the application closes, you will receive an email containing a link to schedule a Spanish-language proficiency assessment. This assessment will be conducted by a vendor approved by the General Services Administration.

To be eligible for the award enhancement, your score on the assessment must be three (3) or higher. **Note**: If your loans are less than the maximum $75,000 (full-time) or $37,500 (half-time) increased award amounts or the $50,000 (full-time) or $25,000 (half-time) traditional two-year award amount, you will not receive the award enhancement even if you are eligible under the other criteria.

Award increase for primary care providers We have increased the award amount for physicians, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants who provide primary care services in high-need communities (located in a primary care HPSA) to address the critical shortages of these providers.

The increased award amounts are: * **Up to $75,000** for a full-time, two-year service commitment * **Up to $37,500** for a half-time, two-year service commitment Award amount for non-primary care providers If you are in an eligible discipline but you provide mental or behavioral health care services, you will not be eligible for the increased award amount.

Instead, all other providers eligible for an NHSC award will receive **up to $50,000** of support for a full-time, two-year service commitment. Remember, all two-year loan repayment program participants can apply for an NHSC LRP Continuation Contract. This option may allow you to pay off most or all of your health professional education debt.

Providers eligible for the award increase | Primary Care Disciplines | Specialties | | **Physicians** * Allopathic (MD) * Osteopathic (DO) | * Family Medicine * General Internal Medicine * General Pediatrics * Geriatrics | | * Physician Assistants (PA) * Nurse Practitioners (NP) | * Adult * Family * Pediatric * Women's Health * Geriatrics | | Maternal Care Disciplines | Specialties | | **Physicians** * Allopathic (MD) * Osteopathic (DO) | * Family Medicine Physicians who practice obstetrics * Obstetrics/Gynecology | | **Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM)** | N/A | * Determine if you're eligible * Review the application sections * Understand your contract and service obligation Determine if you're eligible ### Do I qualify for the NHSC LRP?

You qualify if you meet these requirements: * A United States citizen (U.S. born or naturalized) or a United States national * A provider (or eligible to participate as a provider) in the Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program, as appropriate * Fully trained and licensed to practice in the NHSC-eligible discipline and state in which you are applying to serve.

This page lists eligible disciplines and specialties for primary care, dental care, mental/behavioral health care, and maternity care. * A health professional in an eligible discipline with qualified student loan debt for education that led to your degree * Working or have accepted employment at an NHSC-approved site by the application deadline. ### Are military reservists eligible?

Yes. Find out about specific guidelines and requirements for military reservists. Which disciplines and specialties are eligible?

The following disciplines and specialties are eligible to apply.

#### Primary care medical | **Disciplines** | **Specialties** | | **Physicians** * Allopathic (MD) * Osteopathic (DO) | * Family Medicine * General Internal Medicine * General Pediatrics * Geriatrics | | * Physician Assistants (PA) * Nurse Practitioners (NP) | * Adult * Family * Pediatric * Women's Health * Geriatrics | | **Disciplines** | **Specialties** | | **Dentists** * Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) * Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) | * General Dentistry * Pediatric Dentistry | | * Dental Hygienists | N/A | #### Behavioral & mental health | **Disciplines** | **Specialties** | | **Physicians** * Allopathic (MD) * Osteopathic (DO) | * Psychiatry (Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists are eligible) | | * Health Service Psychologists (HSP) * Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) * Psychiatric Nurse Specialists (PNS) * Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) * Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) | N/A | | * Nurse Practitioners (NP) * Physician Assistants (PA) | * Mental Health & Psychiatry | #### Maternity care health professionals | Disciplines | **Specialties** | | **Physicians** * Allopathic (MD) * Osteopathic (DO) | * Family Medicine Physicians who practice obstetrics on a regular basis * Obstetrics/Gynecology | | **Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM)** | N/A | What is an NHSC-approved site?

AnNHSC-approvedsite is a health care facility that: * Provides complete outpatient services to people living in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) * Meets NHSC site requirements and qualifications We guide you through the application and award process: * Application Process, Requirements, and Guidance To apply for the NHSC LRP, you must understand and follow our requirements.

**It takes up to three weeks to complete an application. ** That includes all required and supplemental documents, and access to a credit report. Failure or refusal to unfreeze/unlock your credit report will disqualify your application.

* Provide answers in your application that match your supporting documents. If they don't, we will reject your application. * You must submit a **legible**, complete online application by the deadline.

* Save each document as a**PDF** file before uploading to your application. Do not attempt to upload files larger than 5 MB. We do not accept files saved as TIFF, JPEG, PNG, HEIC, and TXT.

* Accept materials or requests after the deadline to update a submitted application * Fill in any missing information * Contact you about missing information Review the application sections #### Online application sections Complete each of the sections below to submit your application. You must pass the initial screening portion of the application to confirm your eligibility.

If you do not pass, you will not be able to continue with the application. Provide contact information such as your name, social security number, mailing and email addresses, as well as information about your and your family's background. ### Professional Information * **Discipline, Training and Certification** Provide information about your education, training, and licensure/certification.

* **Site Search (Employment)** Search for and select the NHSC-approved site(s) where you currently provide or will provide patient care. * **Employment Verification** You must request an Employment Verification (EV) through your My BHW Account. We will notify the point(s)-of-contact at the NHSC-approved service site where you work (or plan to work) about your request.

The site(s) must complete the electronic EV before you can submit your application. It's your responsibility to ensure that the site point-of-contact completes the EV We’ll notify you once the site(s) point(s)-of-contact completes it. * **Professional Information** Respond to questions related to your profession and professional training.

This section contains optional questions about any telehealth services you provide. Provide information on each qualifying school loan for which you seek repayment. We'll review supporting documents, contact lenders/holders, and check your credit report.

Each of the loans must have: * Name and contact information for the lender/holder * Original amount disbursed * Original date of the loan * Current outstanding balance (no more than 30 days from the date you submit your application) * Type of loan.

If a consolidated loan, we need to know: * Original date of consolidation * Original balance of consolidation #### Required supporting documents An application is incomplete without the following required documents: * **Proof of status as a United States citizen or United States national** _Acceptable documents:_ birth certificate, current U.S. passport’s ID page, or a certificate of citizenship or naturalization.

_**Unacceptable documents:**_ driver’s license or Social Security card. * **Loan Information Verification** Provide two types of documents for each loan you submit: Current information on your qualifying school loans.

This document should: * Be on official letterhead or other clear proof that it comes from the lender/holder * Include the name of the borrower (the NHSC LRP applicant) * Contain the account number * Include the date of the statement (cannot be more than 30 days from the date you submit your application) * Include the current outstanding balance (principal and interest) or the current payoff balance * Include the current interest rate * **Disbursement Report** Verifies the originating loan information and should: * Be on official letterhead or other clear proof that it comes from the lender/holder * Include the name of the borrower * Contain the account number * Include the type of loan * Include the original loan date (must be prior to the date you submit your application) * Include the original loan amount * Include the purpose of the loan #### Additional supplemental documents (if applicable) You may need to submit additional supporting documents.

Submit these documents if we list them on the "Supporting Documents" page of the online application. * **Specialty Certification** If you select a specialty, you are required to upload a copy of the certificate of completion or diploma from the training program.

* **Postgraduate Training Verification** This document verifies that you completed the Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program (AMF) or Graduate Psychology Education Program (GPE). This information is in addition to the postgraduate training related to your practice area. Such documents may include an official completion certificate.

* **Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Identification Number** If you completed a postgraduate medical or dental training program funded by HRSA through the THCGME Payment Program, you are required to submit the residency identification number and residency completion certificate, if available.

Use the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or The Commission on Dental Accreditation to look up your program identification number. * **Verification of Disadvantaged Background** A school official may complete the Verification of Disadvantaged Background(PDF - 406 KB).

Alternatively, applicants may self-attest to having a disadvantaged background by submitting both the form and uploading a document that validates they meet the criteria listed on the disadvantaged background form (for example, a federal student aid report, etc.).

* **Verification of Existing Service Obligation** You must provide documentation from the entity where you have an existing service obligation confirming that you will complete your service prior to the NHSC application deadline. * **Payment History (Former NHSC Participants)** You must verify that you used all NHSC LRP funds to repay the qualifying educational loans approved as part of your most recent NHSC LRP contract, if applicable.

* **Proof of Name Change** You must provide legal documents if the name on the proof of citizenship is different from the name in the application, for example, a marriage license or divorce decree. Print and keep a copy of your completed application package for your records. After you submit your online application, you'll see a receipt of submission.

### How can I view my application and its status? Log into your My BHW Account to view your application status. You can download a copy of your application, supporting documents, and completed EVs.

### Can I make edits after I submit my application? After you submit the online application, you can make edits and upload new documents. You must make all edits, certify, and resubmit your final, complete application by the application deadline.

We will not consider applications in an "In Progress" status for an award. ### Can I withdraw my application? Yes, you may withdraw your application at any time _**before**_ the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), or their designee, signs the contract.

### How do you evaluate me? We review all applications after the application deadline closes. We use selection factors and funding priorities to evaluate each application and make award decisions.

Notifying award finalists If you become an award finalist, we will email you by September 30. You must log into your My BHW Account to confirm: * Your continued interest in receiving an award. * That your loan and employment information is valid.

* That you have read and understand the LRP. You will e-sign confirmation of receipt and provide your direct deposit banking information. If awarded, we will use this for award funds disbursement.

_**Note:** You must respond by the deadline we provide in the Confirmation of Interest email. _ ### What if I don’t respond in time? If you miss the deadline for the Confirmation of Interest process, we may not consider your application.

If you still wish to participate in the program, you will need to submit a new application during a future NHSC LRP application cycle for first-time applicants. You will be considered along with other applicants based on that cycle's program requirements. ### Who determines if I receive an award?

Only the HHS Secretary or their designee can make an NHSC LRP award. ### When will you notify me of an award? You will receive final notification of an award, including your service obligation dates, no later than September 30.

### Will you notify me if you don't select me for an award? Yes. If we do not select you for an award, we will email you no later than September 30.

NHSC LRP contract & service obligation ### When does my service obligation begin? Your NHSC LRP service obligation begins on the date that the HHS Secretary or their designee countersigns your contract. ### Can I terminate my contract?

Yes, however you must review the Application and Program Guidance and your contract to understand the timeline requirements and limitations for termination. If you terminate, you will be required to repay all funds received under the contract.

### Application & Program Guidance (APG) * NHSC LRP APG(PDF - 554 KB) * NHSC SUD LRP APG(PDF - 793 KB) * NHSC Rural Community LRP APG(PDF - 884 KB) * S2S LRP APG(PDF - 611 KB) * Compare Loan Repayment Programs(PDF - 161 KB) * NHSC and Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Programs Comparison(PDF - 42 KB) * NHSC 11x17 Poster(PDF - 1 MB) * NHSC 8.

5x11 Poster(PDF - 932 KB) * NHSC LRP Fact Sheet(PDF - 308 KB) * NHSC SUD Workforce LRP Fact Sheet(PDF) * NHSC Rural Community LRP Fact Sheet(PDF - 253 KB) * NHSC S2S LRP Fact Sheet(PDF) ### Related loan repayment & scholarship programs * School-based Loans & Scholarships * Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship View data for NHSC participants across programs and disciplines * National Advisory Council HRSA Health Resources and Services Administration FacebookXYouTubeLinkedInInstagram * Freedom of Information Act * Health and Human Services * Vulnerability Disclosure Policy