March 29, 2023, News Staff — Just over 50 years ago, on May 23, 1972, Hubert McDonald Rimple, MD, was named the inaugural director of the National Health Service Corps. That same day, NHSC’s sponsoring organization, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (precursor to HHS and the Department of Education), made the agency’s first major personnel assignment, sending more than 280 health care professionals to begin serving in 122 communities nationwide.
Eligibility requirements for the NHSC Scholarship Program are
- US citizenship or US national status;
- attendance at (or acceptance to attend) an accredited school or program located in a US state or territory or the District of Columbia;
- enrollment as a trainee in an eligible discipline (ie, physician [M.D. or D.O.]dentists [D.D.S. or D.M.D]nurse practitioner, physician assistant or certified nurse midwife);
- eligibility for federal employment; and
- no existing service obligation (unless authorized through a specified process).
More information is available in a Scholarship Program Fact Sheet. Interested students can also download a detailed NHSC Scholarship Program School Year 2023-24 Application and Program Guidance document to learn more. Scholarship applications must be submitted by 7:30 pm EDT on April 27. Successful applicants will be notified no later than Sept. 30.
NHSC Loan Repayment Programs
Of course, education-related expenditures don’t just magically stop after medical school. Although residents receive a salary during their residency, it often barely covers — if that — student loan payments and living expenses. Meanwhile, costs for exam preparation, required testing and licensure keep adding up even as their student loan interest grows.
The good news is the financial assistance NHSC offers doesn’t stop after medical school, either. Primary care physicians and clinicians, various behavioral and mental health professionals, and others can apply for additional financial assistance through the NHSC Loan Repayment Program.
Three loan repayment program options are available. PCPs, NPs, PAs, CNMs, health service psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, psychiatric nurse specialists, marriage and family therapists, and licensed professional counselors are eligible to apply for all three programs. Other disciplines eligible to participate vary by program.
Eligibility requirements for each LRP program are
- US citizenship or US national status;
- status as a participant (or eligible to participate) in Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP, as appropriate;
- full training and license to practice in the NHSC-eligible health discipline and state in which applicant is applying to serve;
- status as a health professional in an eligible discipline with qualified student loan debt; and
- service at an NHSC-approved site.
One application exists for all three programs, but candidates may apply for only one of the three options. All applications must be submitted by 7:30 pm EDT on April 25, and successful applicants will be notified no later than Sept. 30.
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