| If you have student loans, you have probably heard of | | | | in mind. |
| student loan debt forgiveness. Your employer or some | | | | Facilities List |
| other entity pays off loans for you, often to fairly high | | | | On the NHSC site, you can also find a list of facilities |
| limits. You need to qualify, and here I have written up | | | | that employ people who can qualify. The site lists a |
| some help in that process. | | | | couple of requirements, such as that you be licensed |
| NHSC? Who is that? | | | | and fully trained, and working at the site. Not all |
| You probably have heard of the Peace Corps or | | | | positions qualify for the loan repayment, so be sure to |
| Americorps. The NHSC has some similarities, but you | | | | check in advance. |
| don't work for the NHSC, you work at an NHSC | | | | The list of places to work has hundreds of entries. It |
| approved site, in an approved position. NHSC stands | | | | has clinics, hospitals, correctional institutions, prisons, |
| for National Health Service Corps, a department in the | | | | mental health clinics, dental offices, tons of places to |
| US Department of Health and Human Services, under | | | | work. You may already work at an approved facility. |
| the Health Resources and Services Administration. | | | | Where to Find More Info |
| What does the NHSC do? | | | | To contact the NHSC and find their rules for this |
| The NHSC helps attract health care workers for | | | | program, check out the link above. I found this site |
| locations that don't get enough applicants but that still | | | | through the American Counseling Association, or ACA |
| need professionals. For instance, a facility that has | | | | website. If you work in a professional field, you can find |
| trouble due a remote or inner city location, or perhaps | | | | an association that relates to your career. Your |
| due to the type of facility, like a mental health facility or | | | | association may have more information on loan |
| correctional institution where fewer people want to | | | | student loan debt forgiveness. Start looking around, |
| work. | | | | and you may be surprised what you find. |
| The NHSC then offers some help - you had to see | | | | The American Medical Association (AMA), for |
| this coming - through student loan debt forgiveness. | | | | example, has some loan forgiveness info on their site |
| And they are serious about it. In some cases, you can | | | | as well. The New York State Nurses Association,or |
| qualify for up to $50k. Helpful, right? | | | | NYSNA, also offers guidance. Look for a state or |
| How to Get the Cash | | | | national association that relates to your field and see if |
| You have to be as serious about work as the agency | | | | you can start applying for some kind of student loan |
| is about awarding this money to get it. You have to be | | | | debt reduction program. |
| licensed in your field. Here is a short list for reference, | | | | End Result |
| from the NHSC Loan Repayment Program site (From | | | | How did we live before the internet? Finding these |
| Eligible Clinicians | | | | resources takes time, and some work. When you are |
| - Allopathic (MDs) or Osteopathic (DOs) physicians | | | | up to your ears in debt, you might not think of |
| - Primary Care Certified Nurse Practitioners (NPs) | | | | programs like these, and not everyone can get into |
| - Certified Nurse-Midwives (NMs) | | | | one of these programs. Still, I believe that with |
| - Primary Care Physician Assistants (PAs) | | | | consistent effort, you will make a dent. You chose a |
| - General Practice or Pediatric Dentists (DDSs or | | | | great career helping people, and many groups and |
| DMDs) | | | | associations understand that, and offer help. |
| - Registered Clinical Dental Hygienists (DHs) | | | | More Careers |
| - Health Service Psychologists (HSPs) | | | | If the above careers don't apply to you, remember |
| - Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) | | | | many more student loan debt forgiveness programs |
| - Psychiatric Nurse Specialists (PNSs) | | | | apply to other fields. I've found some programs for |
| - Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) | | | | engineers, even. Many states have programs for |
| - Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) | | | | teachers and public safety workers like police officers |
| That's quite a list. To take advantage of the program, | | | | and firefighters. Lawyers in public service also have |
| hop over to their site and read up on it. You have to | | | | many programs they can apply to for relief. |
| apply during an open season, and be selected. The | | | | Keep trying, apply to the programs you can, and thank |
| awards go to those with the most need, so keep that | | | | you for the work you do wherever you are. |