Nurses: Check Out These Student Loan Forgiveness Options Just for You
Nursing requires patience. (Get it? Patients? Sorry, couldn’t help myself.)
It also requires a lot of money to complete a degree.
The average cost of tuition for an 18-month Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program is about $10,000 to $15,000 nationally. Registered Nurses (RN) who get an associate’s degree typically take two to three years at an average cost of $31,000. Those who get a bachelor of science or beyond can expect to reach six-digit price tags, depending on their school.
As a result of their frontline efforts during the pandemic, there are a few potential student loan relief options for nurses and other healthcare workers.
One is the Student Loan Forgiveness for Frontline Health Workers Act, which would forgive all federal and private student loans for medical professionals who directly interact with COVID-19 patients, including nurses.
Another bill on the table is the Opportunity for Heroes Act, which would give nurses and other essential workers $25,000 toward federal and private student loan forgiveness.
But those bills, among others, are only proposals right now — there are no guarantees for their passage. The good news is that there are other options for student loan forgiveness for nurses. Here’s what you need to know.
Student Loan Forgiveness Programs for Nurses
Consider this a lesson in supply and demand: The best option for receiving loan forgiveness is to work in an area where there’s a shortage of nurses.
Some programs are relegated to only registered nurses or those with an advanced degree, so know the requirements before you apply.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) administers two loan repayment assistance programs specifically for nurses: the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program and Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program.
Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program (NCLRP)
The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program is designed to help nurses who can commit to two to three years of work where there is a critical shortage of nurses in the U.S.
Depending on your level of need and where you work, you can get up to 85% of your U.S. nursing education debt paid by this program.
The biggest downside to this loan: The award is taxable; however, federal taxes can be deducted from the amount.
Who’s Eligible for the Loan?
You’ll need to be a licensed registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse or nurse faculty to qualify.
The awards are tier-based, categorized by where there is the greatest shortage of nurses, and preference is given to those in most financial need.
For an initial two-year commitment to working in a Critical Shortage Facility or serving as nurse faculty in an eligible school of nursing, you can receive an award of up to 60% of your loan balance.
Depending on availability, you’ll have the option to extend to a third year to receive an additional 25% of your original balance.
Which Loans Are Eligible?
All federal loans and private commercial loans that covered tuition and reasonable expenses for your nursing education are eligible, so long as none has been in default.
You must be a U.S. resident and have attended an accredited school of nursing in a U.S. state or territory to be eligible for this program.
How to Apply
Submit your application through the Bureau of Health Workforce portal.
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program
The NHSC Loan Repayment Program offers two big benefits that the NCLRP doesn’t:
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The award is not taxable.
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You’re eligible for the program if you work full time or part time.
However, the program’s eligibility requirements are fairly steep and employment is restricted to NHSC-approved service sites. However, the NHSC site also says it’s offering greater flexibility for requirements in response to the pandemic.
Who’s Eligible for the Loan?
For nurses, the program is limited to nurse practitioners, psychiatric nurse specialists and certified nurse mid-wives.
Like the Nurse Corps, this program is tier-based according to areas where there is a shortage of nurses. Working full-time at the highest tier can earn you up to $50,000 for two years of service, while part-timers can receive up to $25,000.
You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national to be eligible for this program.
Which Loans Are Eligible?
Outstanding government (federal, state or local) and private student loans for undergraduate or graduate education are eligible.
How to Apply
The 2020 application deadline has been extended through May 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Alternative Nursing Loan Forgiveness Options
Beyond the feds, other loan forgiveness options are available specifically to nurses. But again, these programs have restrictions and often require you to serve where there’s a shortage.
State- and School- Forgiveness Programs
Almost every state has at least one type of student loan forgiveness program that’s designed for those in public service fields, and most have loan forgiveness options specifically for nurses who are willing to work in underserved areas.
How to Apply
Check your state’s Department of Health website for eligibility and application requirements. You can also contact your college’s financial aid or alumni office to find out about forgiveness program options in your state and at your school.
Employer-Driven Loan Forgiveness Programs
Some hospitals offer loan forgiveness awards to nurses, but eligibility requirements can include holding an advanced degree, having a specific loan type or working in a specialized department.
For instance, Duke University Health System’s Nursing School Student Loan Forgiveness Program awards full-time registered nurses up to $25,000 if they work in procedural areas.
How to Apply
In addition to asking the HR department at your hospital, you can check out this directory of hospitals with loan forgiveness programs.
Other Loan Forgiveness Programs for Public Service
Some of these programs aren’t restricted to nurses, but they are typically reserved for those in some type of service profession (like teachers or firefighters).
Perkins Loan Cancellation
The Perkins Loan Program ended on Sept. 30, 2017, but nurses and medical technicians with outstanding Perkins loans may still qualify for cancellation.
As a nurse you can qualify for up to 100% for five years of eligible service, depending on the type of loan you have and the date of the loan.
How to Apply
Contact the school where you obtained the Perkins Loan to learn its specific rules and application process.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness has gotten a lot of press lately because many of the early applicants found out they didn’t actually meet the requirements — the acceptance rate is hovering around 1%, according to a recent NPR report.
However, we’ve covered which questions you need to ask to make sure you qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. And the good news is that the Public program does not restrict nurses to a specific program or area — you will need to be employed by a government or non-profit organization, though.
You’re eligible to qualify for loan forgiveness after 120 payments, and you’ll need verification from your employer for each year of qualification.
How to Apply
Login to the Federal Student Aid site and use the Public Service Loan Forgiveness tool to determine whether you, your loan and your employer qualify, as well as to fill out the form.
AmeriCorps
If you’re willing to volunteer your nursing skills, AmeriCorps would like to help you pay off your student loan.
Nursing volunteers are eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, which can be used to repay qualified student loans that includes Stafford, Direct, Perkins Loans, Federal Consolidated Loans and others listed here.
You can use your award to repay defaulted student loans, as long as it qualifies. But beware that this award is subject to federal tax.
How to Apply
Start your AmeriCorps application here.
Although these forgiveness programs may not be the cure for all your debt, they could send you on the road to financial recovery.
Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a staff writer/editor at The Penny Hoarder. Read her bio and other work here, then catch her on Twitter @TiffanyWendeln.
