by: Salimah Jones APRN, FNP-C
We all know that going to college can be a financial strain for the average American. I didn’t have a college fund and neither did any of my friends or family members. Our parents could not afford that. I had to utilize a variety of financial resources to pay for my nursing education including student loans. I agree that there is a student loan crisis currently in the United States and many people rack up huge amounts of debt, only to get jobs that are barely over minimum wage. This unfortunate reality leaves many people in situations where they are making huge monthly interest payments and can never get ahead.
Fortunately if you are a nurse with student loans there is help available! Here are five government student loan repayment programs that are legitimate relief programs….NOT SCAMS! These programs can significantly reduce, or in some cases completely eliminate ALL of your student loan debt!
1. Army Nurse Corps
If you join the Army you can be eligible to receive the Healthcare Professional Loan Repayment Program which pays up to $50,000 of your student loans for a 3 year commitment (active duty).
2. Nurse Faculty Loan Program
This program pays up to 85% of the nurse’s eligible nursing education student loans in exchange for teaching in non-profit schools of nursing.
3. Faculty Loan Repayment Program
This program will pay up to $40,000 of student loans for healthcare faculty who teach at an eligible health professions institution.
4. Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program
If you are a registered nurse or an advanced practice nurse, you can apply for the NCLRP. This program will pay up to 85% of your nursing education student loans in exchange for working in a critical shortage facility that treats underserved populations.
5. National Health Service Corps
This is a program that is similar to the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment program, however it is for healthcare providers such as physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. You must be an advanced practice nurse working in a critical shortage facility to qualify for this program. The amount of student loan repayment depends on how many years of service you give to the facility.
You can visit the HRSA website and the army nurse corps websites to learn more about these programs.
https://www.goarmy.com/amedd/nurse/benefits.html
https://www.hrsa.gov/index.html
Did you find this article helpful? Like, share, and comment below. Don’t forget to subscribe!
Check out this other interesting article NURSE OF 25 YEARS BECOMES A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR…..AN INSPIRATIONAL STORY
About the Author
Hi I’m Salimah Jones, I am a Family Nurse Practitioner, author, and Founder of The Nursing Guide, an online community dedicated to helping aspiring and current nurses overcome life’s challenges to achieve their professional goals. Coming from a disadvantaged background, and having experienced the struggles of pursuing a career while working and raising a family, I am now dedicated to helping others find ways to make their dreams a reality. I provide practical solutions to help those who are struggling with finances, learning difficulties, motivation, work-life-balance, or lack of a social support system. I want to show you how to conquer any challenge so that you can become your own success story. Please subscribe to this blog and don’t forget to sign up for your free membership on The Nursing Guide Website. Connect with me on twitter @salimahjones.