Rural Physician Loan Repayment Program is sponsored by Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Offers loan repayment assistance to physicians who agree to practice in rural areas of Utah for a specified period.

Rural Physicians Loan Repayment Program Photo credit: Kam Twitchell Financial support for Utah's rural physicians The Rural Physician Loan Repayment Program (RPLRP) provides educational loan repayment assistance to physicians who contract to work in a rural hospital for a minimum of two years of service.

The program awards providers in primary care, ob/gyn, general surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, pediatrics, and internal medicine throughout rural Utah hospitals. “ I appreciate the help that the rural physician loan repayment program provides to doctors within the state of Utah. ” Physicians may apply here to receive financial assistance for their student loans.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Please apply within 18 months of starting in your current position.

Work at a rural hospital in Utah Be in no more than one loan repayment program at a time Apply within 18 months of beginning employment at an approved site Have a permanent, unrestricted license to practice in Utah before the recipient’s first day of service under the grant agreement Have bona fide student loans Work full-time (at least 40 hours per week) or part-time (at least 20 hours per week) Receive matching funds from their employer for loan repayment If accepted to the program, submit semiannual progress reports to PCRH A hospital in a rural area of Utah Has entered into a written agreement with the recipient to provide matching funds for the program The state of Utah will award up to $40,000 for your two-year service commitment, and your employing hospital is required to provide a 100% match.

Your total award value for 2 years of full-time service will be $80,000. If your employer agrees, you may also be eligible for a one year extension. The total possible award value for this program is up to $120,000.

Providers working part-time will be awarded $20,000 for your two-year service commitment, and your employing hospital is required to provide a 100% match. Your total award for 2 years of service will be $40,000. If your employer agrees, you may also be eligible for a one-year extension.

The total possible award value for physicians working part-time is $60,000. Physicians who enroll in this program are required to submit progress reports periodically to demonstrate their impact within their communities. Progress reports help to demonstrate the volume of patients who benefit from the physician's services, the quality of care, and how the financial assistance program has helped providers achieve their goals.

The Office of Primary Care and Rural Health also invites providers to submit anecdotal stories to help demonstrate the success of the program to funders, and legislators, as well as to inspire new applicants to work in underserved communities in Utah. Progress reports are submitted every six months. If you are a provider and you are wondering when your next progress report is due, details can be found in Attachment B of your contract.

Has your address updated recently? Program participants may update their address via email at [email protected] . The Rural Physician Loan Repayment Program Advisory Committee meets twice a year to consider applicants and award physicians with support.

Learn about the advisory committee Workforce Development Specialist Read about the codes and rules that govern this program. Learn about Utah's codes and rules