1
National Health Service Corps
Loan Repayment Program
Full-Time & Half-Time Service Opportunities
Fiscal Year 2024
Application and Program
Guidance
March 2024
Application Submission Deadline: May 9, 2024, 7:30 p.m. ET
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Resources and Services Administration
Bureau of Health Workforce
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, Maryland 20857
For questions, call 1-800-221-9393 (TTY: 1-877-897-9910) Monday through Friday (except
federal holidays) 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.
Authority: Section 338B of the Public Health Service Act (42 USC 254l-1),
Section 331(i) of the Public Health Service Act (42 USC 254d(i))
Future changes in the governing statute, implementing regulations and Program Guidance may
also be applicable to National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program participants.
Assistance Listings (AL/CFDA) Number 93.162
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary................................................................................................................. 3
Privacy Act Notification Statement ......................................................................................... 6
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program Overview ........................................ 7
What to Look for In 2024 ..................................................................................................... 8
Application and Program Guidance ......................................................................................... 8
Program Eligibility Requirements ......................................................................................... 9
Service Obligations and Award Amounts .............................................................................. 9
Training and Licensure Requirements ..................................................................................19
Program Compliance...........................................................................................................34
Application Information .........................................................................................................45
Application Deadline ...........................................................................................................45
Completing an Application ..................................................................................................45
Application Review and Award Process..................................................................................52
Confirmation of Interest......................................................................................................53
The National Health Service corps Loan Repayment Program Contract.................................54
Additional Information ..........................................................................................................55
Paperwork Reduction Act Public Burden Statement .............................................................55
Resources for Applicants .....................................................................................................56
Appendix: Glossary ................................................................................................................57
FY 2024 National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program Application And Program
Guidance Glossary ..............................................................................................................57
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Executive Summary
The Health Resources and Services Administration is accepting applications for the National
Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Licensed primary care providers in eligible
disciplines can receive loan repayment assistance for their qualifying educational debt through
the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. For primary care medical
providers assigned to a primary care Health Professional Shortage Area, which includes
maternity care health professionals assigned to a Maternity Care Target Area, the initial
contract can fund up to $75,000 of loan repayment in exchange for two years of service at a
National Health Service Corps-approved site. For mental and oral health care providers
assigned to a mental or dental Health Professional Shortage Area, respectively, the initial
contract can fund up to $50,000 of loan repayment in exchange for two years of service at a
National Health Service Corps-approved site. After the initial contract, participants may be
eligible for continuation contracts that provide up to $20,000 in loan repayment in exchange for
each additional year of service. For details on Health Professional Shortage Areas, see the
“Workforce Shortage Area” page on the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Bureau
of Health Workforce website.
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Eligible
Applicants
Clinicians who provide direct clinical care under the following disciplines and specialties:
• Primary Care Medical
• Oral
• Behavioral and Mental Health
Funding
Full-Time Service:
Up to $75,000 for a two-year service obligation for primary care medical providers assigned
to a primary care Health Professional Shortage Area, which includes maternity care health
professionals assigned to a Maternity Care Target Area.
Up to $50,000 for a two-year service obligation for mental and oral health care providers
assigned to a mental or dental Health Professional Shortage Area, respectively.
Half-Time Service:
Up to $37,500 for a two-year service obligation for primary care medical providers assigned
to a primary care Health Professional Shortage Area, which includes maternity care health
professionals assigned to a Maternity Care Target Area.
Up to $25,000 for a two-year service obligation for mental and oral health care providers
assigned to a mental or dental Health Professional Shortage Area, respectively.
Spanish Language Award Enhancement Up to $5,000 for eligible applicants. (See
Apply
ing
for Spanish Language Award Enhancement section for details).
Service
Obligation
You have a choice of service options:
• Two-year full-time clinical practice at a National Health Service Corps-approved site.
• Two-year half-time clinical practice at a National Health Service Corps-approved site.
Where
Members Serve
National Health Service Corps clinicians must work at a National Health Service Corps-
approved service site located in a Health Professional Shortage Area. Health Professional
Shortage Areas can be found around the country in rural, urban, and frontier communities.
National Health Service Corps-approved service sites are generally outpatient facilities
providing primary medical, oral, and/or mental and behavioral health services. Visit the
Health Workforce Connector to search for training and employment opportunities at
National Health Service Corps-approved service sites.
Application
Deadline
May 9, 2024
Tax Liability Not taxable
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DEPARTM
ENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Health Resources and Services
Administration
Rockville, MD 20857
Bureau of Health Workforce
A Letter from Luis Padilla, MD
Dear Potential Applicant,
Thank you for your consideration and time in applying to a National Health Service Corps Loan
Repayment Program. For more than 50 years, the National Health Service Corps has fulfilled its
mission to connect a highly qualified, diverse group of health care professionals to people with
limited access to health care. As we move forward, we need clinicians like you who are
committed to serving in communities that need you most. In exchange, we may be able to pay
all of your outstanding, eligible student loan debt. The aim for this additional support is to
recruit and retain a high-quality primary care workforce dedicated to serving in Health
Professional Shortage Areas.
As a former National Health Service Corps scholar, I completed my service obligation at a large
health center network in Washington, D.C., so I understand how busy you are. To that end, we
have streamlined the application process to make it easier for you to compare programs and
apply to the one that is the best fit for you. Please take advantage of the Health Workforce
Connector, which contains a searchable database for all approved service sites.
Again, thank you for taking time to read each program’s Application and Program Guidance and
considering applying.
/Luis Padilla, MD/
Luis Padilla, MD
Associate Administrator for Health Workforce
Director of the National Health Service Corps
Health Resources and Services Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Privacy Act Notification Statement
General
This information is provided pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-579), as
amended, for individuals supplying information for inclusion in a system of records.
Statutory Authority
Section 338B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 254l-1),; Section 331(i) of the Public
Health Service Act (42 § U.S.C. 254d(i)).
Purposes and Uses
The purpose of the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program is to recruit and
retain medical, nursing, oral, and behavioral/mental health clinicians in eligible communities of
need designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas. The information that applicants supply
will be used to evaluate their eligibility, qualifications, and suitability for participating in the
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. In addition, information from other
sources will be considered (e.g., credit bureau reports and National Practitioner Data Bank
reports).
Certain parts of an applicant’s application may also be disclosed outside the Department, as
permitted by the Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act, to the Congress, the National
Archives, the Government Accountability Office, and pursuant to court order and various
routine uses as described in the System of Record Notice 09-15-0037 for Scholarship and Loan
Repayment Program Records on the Federal Register website. You will be notified if your
information will be shared.
Effects of Nondisclosure
Disclosure of the information sought is required, except for the replies to questions related to
Race/Ethnicity (Section 3 of the online application for National Health Service Corps Loan
Repayment Program). An application may be considered incomplete if all required information
is not submitted with the application.
Non-Discrimination Policy Statement
In accordance with applicable federal laws and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
policy, the Department does not discriminate on the basis of any non-merit factor, including
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability (physical
or mental), age, status as a parent, or genetic information.
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National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program Overview
For more than five decades, the National Health Service Corps has worked to position dedicated
health professionals in communities across the country with the greatest need for health care
services. The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program awards eligible primary
care providers (see the Eligible Primary Care Providers and Clinical Practice Requirements
section) financial assistance towards repayment of their outstanding qualifying educational
loans. In return, participants commit to provide culturally competent primary health care
services to underserved populations in Health Professional Shortage Areas. The vast majority of
NHSC providers (more than 84 percent) continue to practice in underserved communities after
their service obligation ends. We have a National Health Service Corps alumni body committed
to service.
The National Health Service Corps has several loan repayment programs, including:
• The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program
• The National Health Service Corps Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment
Program
• The National Health Service Corps Rural Community Loan Repayment Program
You may only participate in one of these programs at a time. If you apply and are deemed
eligible for more than one, the National Health Service Corps team may contact you to
determine which program you prefer. However, the National Health Service Corps cannot
guarantee that you will be offered your preferred program.
Under the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, the Secretary of Health and
Human Services ("Secretary") will fund repayment for up to $75,000 of the eligible graduate
and/or undergraduate educational loans of applicants selected to participate in the program
(see the What Loans Are Eligible For Repayment section). Providers with demonstrated Spanish
language competence who are able to deliver care in Spanish may qualify for up to an
additional $5,000 in loan repayment. In return for loan repayment, applicants must provide
primary health services in a Health Professional Shortage Area (designated by the Secretary). An
applicant becomes a participant in the Loan Repayment Program after the Secretary or the
Secretary’s designee countersigns a National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program
contract.
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WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2024
For Fiscal Year 2024, we expect to make approximately 1,200 new awards.
• In addition to placing loan repayment program participants in Health Professional
Shortage Areas in need of primary care medical, oral, and mental health providers, we
will also use a designation of Maternity Care Target Areas
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, located within primary care
Health Professional Shortage Areas, to distribute maternity care health professionals.
Maternity care health professionals are obstetricians/gynecologists, family medicine
physicians who practice obstetrics, and certified nurse midwives. Maternity care health
professionals will be considered for awards using either the primary care Heath
Professional Shortage Area score or the Maternity Care Target Area score, whichever is
higher.
• The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program will have designated
funding to support health professionals committing to provide primary health services in
Indian Health Service facilities, Tribally Operated 638 Health Programs, and Urban Indian
Health Programs.
• In fiscal year 2024, the National Health Service Corps aims to maximize the award
amount up to $75,000 for primary care medical providers assigned to a primary care
Health Professional Shortage Areas and maternity care health professionals assigned to
a Maternity Care Target Area of greatest need.
• The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program aims to address language
access barriers to health care. The National Health Service Corps will provide a one-time
Spanish Language Award Enhancement of up to $5,000, for a total loan repayment
award of up to $80,000, for primary care medical providers and maternity care health
professionals, and up to $55,000 for mental and oral health care providers. This award
enhancement will be afforded to providers who demonstrate Spanish-language
proficiency through an assessment administered by a General Services Administration-
approved vendor, and whose sites confirm that the applicant will provide Spanish
speaking services to limited English proficiency patients.
Application and Program Guidance
You, as the applicant, are responsible for reading and complying with the instructions included
in this Application and Program Guidance before proceeding with your application. The
Guidance explains the National Health Service Corps policies, and the rights and liabilities of
individuals selected to participate in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment
Program (including the financial liabilities and legal obligations of the individual) that are stated
in the National Health Service Corps program statute and contract.
Key Dates
Key dates for National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program applicants:
1
Maternity Care Target Areas are authorized under Section 332(k)(1) of the Public Health Service Act.
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• Applications Open: March 19, 2024
• Application Submission Deadline: May 9, 2024
• Notification of Award: on or before September 30, 2024
• Employment Start Deadline: July 18, 2024
• National Health Service Corps Scholars Service Obligation Completion Deadline: July
31, 2024
• Contract Termination Deadline: 60 days from the effective date of the contract, OR
before funds are received (upon written request to terminate the contract).
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for a National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program award, an applicant
must:
1. Be a United States citizen (either U.S. born or naturalized) or U.S. national.
2. Have a current, full, permanent, unencumbered, unrestricted health professional
license, certificate, or registration in the discipline in which they are applying to serve.
3. Participate or be eligible to participate as a provider in the Medicare, Medicaid, and
Children’s Health Insurance Programs, as appropriate.
4. Be eligible for federal employment. Most National Health Service Corps Loan
Repayment Program participants should expect to serve their obligation as a salaried,
non-federal employee of a public or private entity approved by the National Health
Service Corps. However, there may be vacancies that require federal employment,
which include a security clearance component. In light of the potential for federal
employment, an applicant must be eligible to hold an appointment as a Commissioned
Officer of the Public Health Service or as a federal civil servant. For more information,
visit the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service website.
5. Be employed by, or have accepted a position at, a National Health Service Corps-
approved service site where employment and provision of care to patients will begin no
later than July 18, 2024.
6. Submit a complete application on or before May 9, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
SERVICE OBLIGATIONS AND AWARD AMOUNTS
• Program participants must remain working at a National Health Service Corps-approved
service site, throughout the contract period. A participant’s National Health Service
Corps Loan Repayment Program service obligation begins on the date that the National
Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program contract is countersigned by the
Secretary or their designee. The service obligation end date is determined in whole
years from the start date. For example, the last day of the service obligation for a
participant with a two-year service obligation that began on July 18, 2024, would be July
17, 2026. Adjustments in the end date will be made by the National Health Service
Corps if a participant is away from the National Health Service Corps-approved service
site for more than seven weeks (roughly 35 workdays) per service year.
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• Primary care medical providers assigned to a primary care Health Professional Shortage
Area and maternity care health professionals assigned to a Maternity Care Target Area
can choose to serve in either full-time clinical practice or half-time clinical practice. An
award for full-time service is up to $75,000 in loan repayment or up to $80,000 with the
one-time Spanish language award enhancement; an award for half-time service is up to
$37,500 in loan repayment or up to $42,500 with the one-time Spanish language award
enhancement. Both award types require a two-year service obligation. Read more in the
Practice Agreement Types and Eligible Primary Care Providers and Clinical Practice
Requirements sections of this Guidance.
• Mental or Oral health care providers assigned to a mental or dental Health Professional
Shortage Area, respectively, can choose to serve in either full-time clinical practice or
half-time clinical practice. An award for full-time service is up to $50,000 in loan
repayment or up to $55,000 with the one-time Spanish language award enhancement;
an award for half-time service is up to $25,000 in loan repayment or up to $30,000 with
the one-time Spanish language award enhancement. Both award types require a two-
year service obligation. Read more in the Practice Agreement Types and Eligible Primary
Care Providers and Clinical Practice Requirements sections of this Guidance.
• Award amounts are based on the outstanding balance of an applicant’s qualifying
educational loans. Participants must complete the two-year service obligation
regardless of the amount of their award.
• Participants must apply all loan repayments received through the National Health
Service Corps Loan Repayment Program to their qualifying graduate and/or
undergraduate educational loans.
• By statute, National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program funds are exempt
from federal income and employment taxes. These funds are not included as wages
when determining Social Security benefits.
WHAT LOANS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR REPAYMENT?
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program awards are based on the participant’s
outstanding eligible educational loans. This includes the principal, interest, and related
expenses of outstanding government (federal, state, or local) and commercial (i.e., private)
student loans for undergraduate or graduate education obtained by the participant for school
tuition, other reasonable educational expenses, and reasonable living expenses. The
educational loans must be obtained prior to the date the participant applies.
If a current National Health Service Corps participant obtains additional educational loans
toward another health professions degree that will result in a change in discipline (for example,
a Licensed Professional Counselor obtains a doctorate in clinical psychology), they will need to
apply to the National Health Service Corps as a new participant in a subsequent application
cycle and will be reviewed competitively against other applicants. If a prior National Health
Service Corps participant obtains additional educational loans within the same discipline in
which they performed their service obligation, those loans are not eligible for repayment.
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Consolidated or refinanced loans may be considered for repayment if they are from a
government (federal, state, or local) or private student loan lender and include only qualifying
educational loans of the applicant. For loans to remain eligible, applicants must keep their
eligible educational loans segregated from all other debts.
Loans that do not qualify for loan repayment include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Loans with a service obligation that will not be fulfilled before the National
Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program application deadline, which is
May 9, 2024.
(2) Loans consolidated/refinanced with ineligible (non-qualifying) debt of the
applicant, or with loans owed by any other person.
(3) Loans for which the associated documentation cannot identify that the loan
was solely applicable to the undergraduate or graduate education of the
applicant.
(4) Loans not obtained from a government entity or private student loan lending
institution. Most loans made by private foundations to individuals are not
eligible for repayment.
(5) Loans that have been repaid in full.
(6) Primary Care Loans, as described on the “Apply for a Loan Program” page on
the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Health Workforce website.
(7) Parent PLUS Loans (made to parents).
(8) Personal lines of credit.
(9) Loans subject to cancellation.
(10) Residency and Relocation loans.
(11) Credit card debt.
Applicants must provide documentation that proves that their educational loans were
contemporaneous with the education received. The Health Resources and Services
Administration will verify loans by contacting lenders/holders and reviewing the applicant’s
credit report.
Note: If all loans are paid in full as a result of an individual receiving loan forgiveness under a
program such as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, and the effective date of the
loan forgiveness is after the Secretary (or the Secretary’s designee) has countersigned the
contract and the NHSC award has been disbursed, the participant is still obligated to serve the
full length of their NHSC service obligation.
Eligible Primary Care Providers and Clinical Practice Requirements
Clinical practice requirements differ based on discipline, Health Professional Shortage Area
category, full- or half-time status, and other factors. Details are in the footnotes and after the
primary care charts on the following pages.
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Note: Direct Clinical Care in the Full-Time and Half-Time columns refers to care at a National
Health Service Corps-approved site and approved alternative settings.
Every participant is required to engage in the full-time or half-time (as applicable) clinical
practice of the profession for which they applied and were awarded a National Health Service
Corps Loan Repayment Program contract, at their National Health Service Corps-approved
service site(s). Loan repayment amounts are linked to full- or half-time status.
Read the following section carefully, as the clinical practice requirements for full-time and half-
time providers have changed.
1) Full-Time Clinical Practice. Full-time clinical practice is defined, for the purposes of the
National Health Service Corps, as a minimum of 40 hours/week, for a minimum of 45
weeks each service year. The 40 hours per week may be compressed into no less than 4
days/week, with no more than 12 hours of work to be performed in any 24-hour period.
As noted in the practice requirements by discipline chart below, participants must spend
a designated minimum number of hours/weeks providing direct clinical care.
Participants do not receive service credit for hours worked over the required 40
hours/week and excess hours cannot be applied to any other work week. Also, time
spent “on call” will not be counted towards the service obligation, except to the extent
the provider is providing direct clinical care during that period. Additional rules apply
based on discipline and practice location. (See table and special circumstances section
below)
2) Half-Time Clinical Practice. Half-time clinical practice is defined, for the purposes of the
National Health Service Corps, as 20-39 hours/per week, for a minimum of 45 weeks
each service year. The minimum 20 hours/week may be compressed into no less than 2
days/ week, with no more than 12 hours of work to be performed in any 24-hour period.
As noted in the practice requirements by discipline chart below, participants must spend
a designated minimum number of hours/weeks providing direct clinical care.
Participants do not receive service credit for hours worked over the required 20
hours/week and excess hours cannot be applied to any other work week. Also, time
spent “on call” will not be counted towards the service obligation, except to the extent
the provider is providing direct clinical care during that period. Additional rules apply
based on discipline and practice location. (See table and special circumstances section
below)
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Primary Care: Medical Providers Must serve in Primary Care Health Professional Shortage
Areas
Disciplines
Specialty
Full Time (40 hours/week)
Half-Time (20-39 hours/week)
Physicians:
• Allopathic
• Osteopathic
Family Medicine,
General Internal,
Medicine,
General Pediatrics,
Geriatrics
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 36
hours/week, which may include up
to 8 hours/week in teaching
activities or in approved
alternative settings.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 4
hours/week.
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 18
hours/week, which may include up 4
hours/week in teaching activities or in
approved alternative settings.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 2
hours/week.
Physician
Assistants
Adult, Family,
Pediatric,
Women’s Health,
Geriatrics
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 36
hours/ week, which may include
up to 8 hours/week in teaching
activities or in approved
alternative settings.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 4
hours/week.
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 18
hours/week, which may include up to
4 hours/week in teaching activities or
in approved alternative settings.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 2
hours/week.
Nurse
Practitioners
Adult, Family,
Pediatric,
Women’s Health,
Geriatrics
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 36
hours/ week, which may include
up to 8 hours/week in teaching
activities or approved alternative
settings.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 4
hours/week.
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 18
hours/week, which may include up to
4 hours/week in teaching activities or
approved alternative settings.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 2
hours/week.
Maternity Care Health Professionals Must Serve in Maternity Care Target Areas in Primary
Care Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Disciplines
Specialty
Full-Time (40 hours/week)
Half-Time (20-39 hours/week)
Physicians:
Allopathic,
Osteopathic
Family Medicine
Physicians who
practice obstetrics
Obstetrics/
Gynecology
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 36
hours/week, which may include up
to 8 hours/week in teaching
activities and up to 12 hours/week
in approved alternative settings.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 4
hours/week
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 18
hours/week,
which may include up to
4 hours/week in teaching activities
and up to 4 hours/week in approved
alternative settings.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 2
hours/week.
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Disciplines
Specialty
Full-Time (40 hours/week)
Half-Time (20-39 hours/week)
Certified Nurse
Midwives
N/A
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 36
hours/week,
which may inc lude up
to 8 hours/week in teaching
activities and up to 12 hours/week
in approved alternative settings.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 4
hours/week.
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 18
hours/week,
which may include up to
4 hours/week in teaching activities,
and up to 4 hours/week in approved
alternative settings.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 2
hours/week.
Primary Care: Oral Health Providers: Must serve in Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas
Disciplines
Specialty
Full-Time (40 hours/week)
Half-Time (20-39 hours/week)
Dentists:
Doctor of Dental
Surgery,
Doctor of Medical
Dentistry
General Dentistry,
Pediatric Dentistry
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 36
hours/ week, which may include
up to 8 hours/week in teaching
activities or in approved
alternative settings Administrative
Duties: Up to 4 hours/week.
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 18
hours/week, which may include up to
4 hours/week in teaching activities or
in approved alternative settings.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 2
hours/week.
Dental
Hygienists
N/A
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 36
hours/ week, which may include
up to 8 hours/week in teaching
activities or in approved
alternative settings Administrative
Duties: Up to 4 hours/week.
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 18
hours/week, which may include up to
4 hours/week in teaching activities or
in approved alternative settings.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 2
hours/week.
Primary Care: Mental Health Providers: Must serve in Mental Health Professional Shortage
Areas
Disciplines
Specialty
Full-Time (40 hours/week)
Half-Time (20-39 hours/week)
Physicians:
Allopathic
Osteopathic
Psychiatry
(Both General Child
and Adolescent
Psychiatrists are
eligible)
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 36
hours/week,
which may inc lude up
to 8 hours/week in teaching
activities, and up to 20
hours/week in approved
alternative settings or performing
services as a behavioral or mental
health professional in schools or
other community-based settings
as directed by the site.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 4
hours/week.
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 18
hours/week, which may include up to
4 hours/week in teaching capacity,
and up to 10 hours/week in approved
alternative settings or performing
services as a behavioral or mental
health professional in schools or
other community-based settings as
directed by the site.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 2
hours/week.
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Disciplines
Specialty
Full-Time (40 hours/week)
Half-Time (20-39 hours/week)
Nurse Practitioners
Mental Health and
Psychiatry
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 36
hours/week,
which may inc lude up
to 8 hours/week in teaching
activities, and up to 20
hours/week in approved
alternative settings or performing
services as a behavioral or mental
health professional in schools or
other community-based settings
as directed by the site.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 4
hours/week.
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 18
hours/week, which may include up to
4 hours/week in teaching activities,
and up to 10 hours/week in approved
alternative settings or performing
services as a behavioral or mental
health professional in schools or
other community-based settings as
directed by the site.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 2
hours/week.
Physician Assistant
Mental Health and
Psychiatry
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 36
hours/week,
which may inc lude up
to 8 hours/week in teaching
activities, and up to 20
hours/week in approved
alternative settings or performing
services as a behavioral or mental
health professional in schools or
other community-based settings
as directed by the site.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 4
hours/week.
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 18
hours/week, which may include up to
4 hours/week in teaching activities,
and up to 10 hours/week in approved
alternative settings or performing
services as a behavioral or mental
health professional in schools or
other community-based settings as
directed by the site.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 2
hours/week.
Health Service
Psychologists
All specialties are
eligible
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 36
hours/week,
which may inc lude up
to 8 hours/week in teaching
activities and up to 20 hours/week
in approved alternative settings or
performing services as a
behavioral or mental health
professional in schools or other
community-based settings as
directed by the site.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 4
hours/week.
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 18
hours/week, which may include up to
4 hours/week in teaching activities,
and up to 10 hours/week in approved
alternative settings or performing
services as a behavioral or mental
health professional in schools or
other community-based settings as
directed by the site.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 2
hours/week.
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Disciplines
Specialty
Full-Time (40 hours/week)
Half-Time (20-39 hours/week)
Licensed Clinical
Social Workers
All specialties are
eligible
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 36
hours/week,
which may inc lude up
to 8 hours/week in teaching
activities, and up to 20
hours/week in approved
alternative settings or performing
services as a behavioral or mental
health professional in schools or
other community-based settings
as directed by the site.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 4
hours/week.
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 18
hours/week, which may include up to
4 hours/week in teaching activities,
and up to 10 hours/week in approved
alternative settings or performing
services as a behavioral or mental
health professional in schools or
other community-based settings as
directed by the site.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 2
hours/week.
Psychiatric Nurse
Specialists
All specialties are
eligible
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 36
hours/week,
which may inc lude up
to 8 hours/week in teaching
activities, and up to 20
hours/week in approved
alternative settings or performing
services as a behavioral or mental
health professional in schools or
other community-based settings
as directed by the site.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 4
hours/week.
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 18
hours/week, which may include up to
4 hours/week in teaching activities,
and up to 10 hours/week in approved
alternative settings or performing
services as a behavioral or mental
health professional in schools or
other community-based settings as
directed by the site.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 2
hours/week.
Marriage and
Family Therapists
All specialties are
eligible
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 36
hours/week,
which may inc lude up
to 8 hours/week in teaching
activities, and up to 20
hours/week in approved
alternative settings or performing
services as a behavioral or mental
health professional in schools or
other community-based settings
as directed by the site.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 4
hours/week.
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 18
hours/week, which may include up to
4 hours/week in teaching activities,
and up to 10 hours/week in approved
alternative settings or performing
services as a behavioral or mental
health professional in schools or
other community-based settings as
directed by the site.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 2
hours/week.
17
Disciplines
Specialty
Full-Time (40 hours/week)
Half-Time (20-39 hours/week)
Licensed
Professional
Counselors
All specialties are
eligible
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 36
hours/week,
which may inc lude up
to 8 hours/week in teaching
activities, and up to 20
hours/week in approved
alternative settings or performing
services as a behavioral or mental
health professional in schools or
other community-based settings
as directed by the site.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 4
hours/week.
• Direct Clinical Care: At least 18
hours/week, which may include up to
4 hours/week in teaching activities,
and up to 10 hours/week in approved
alternative settings or performing
services as a behavioral or mental
health professional in schools or
other community-based settings as
directed by the site.
• Administrative Duties: Up to 2
hours/week.
The following definitions apply to both full-time and half-time clinical practice:
• Administrative Duties: may include charting, administrative care coordination
activities, training, laboratory follow-up, patient correspondence, attending staff
meetings, activities related to maintaining professional licensure and other non-
treatment related activities pertaining to the participant’s approved National Health
Service Corps practice. Any time spent in a management role is also considered to be
an administrative activity. The duties of a medical director are also considered
primarily administrative, and National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment
Program applicants serving in such a capacity should keep in mind that they cannot
count more than four hours per week of administrative and/or management time
(two hours in the case of half-time participants) toward the total required 40 hours
per week (or 20-39 hours in the case of half-time participants).
• Teaching Activities: to qualify as clinical practice, National Health Service Corps Loan
Repayment Program participants engaged in teaching activities must provide clinical
education to students and residents in their area of expertise. All teaching must be
conducted as directed by the National Health Service Corps-approved service site,
subject to the National Health Service Corps limits on the number of hours per week
allowed for teaching. Teaching activities cannot count more than eight hours per
week (four hours in the case of half-time participants) toward the total required 40
hours per week (or 20-39 hours in the case of half-time participants). The clinical
education may:
(1) Be conducted as part of an accredited clinical training program;
(2) Include the clinical supervision of a student/resident that is required for that
student/resident to receive a license under state law; or
(3) Include mentoring that is conducted as part of the Health Careers
Opportunity Program or the Centers of Excellence Program.
18
National Health Service Corps participants may count hours treating patients while a
student or resident observes as direct clinical care, instead of teaching.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Clinical Practice Service Requirements at Teaching Health Centers
If a participant is serving a Federal Assignment or Private Practice Agreement and working at a
Health Resources and Services Administration Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical
Education program awardee as authorized under 42 U.S.C. § 256h, they are allowed to count
teaching activities up to 20 hours/week toward the direct clinical care requirement; the
remaining 20 hours must be spent providing direct clinical care at approved site(s), of which 8
hours/week may be spent providing direct clinical care in an approved alternative setting to
address continuity of care (e.g., hospital, nursing home, or shelter) and performing clinical-
related administrative duties up to 4 hours/week.
Clinical Practice Service Requirements at School-Based Clinics
School-based clinics must be approved as National Health Service Corps-approved service sites.
Participants serving at school-based clinics as their primary service site(s) must provide required
documentation (e.g., In-Service Verification Forms) that demonstrates they are meeting their
National Health Service Corps service obligation at that facility and that the school-based clinic
is in the approved Health Professional Shortage Area.
Providers who work at school-based clinics that are not open year-round will not receive
National Health Service Corps service credit for any period of time they are not serving at a
school-based clinic. Providers who work at school-based clinics that are not open year-round
may meet the National Health Service Corps’ clinical practice requirements by:
• Working at an additional National Health Service Corps-approved service site (or sites)
when the school clinic is closed. The additional site (or sites) must satisfy the Health
Professional Shortage Area requirements identified in the participant’s initial National
Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program contract.
• Extending their National Health Service Corps service obligation to fulfill the National
Health Service Corps’ annual clinical practice requirements.
Clinical Practice Service Requirements at an Indian Health Service Hospital or Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services-Approved Critical Access Hospital
Physicians (including psychiatrists), physician assistants (including those with a mental health
specialization), nurse practitioners (including those with a mental health specialization), and
certified nurse midwives may serve in the full-time or half-time clinical practice at an Indian
Health Service Hospital or Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services-approved Critical Access
Hospital with an affiliated outpatient clinic. Applicants must list in their application both the
Indian Health Service Hospital and its affiliated outpatient clinic or both the Critical Access
Hospital and its affiliated outpatient clinic. The following requirements apply:
19
Hourly
Schedule
Minimum
Hours
Minimum hours
providing direct
clinical care in the
affiliated outpatient
clinic
Hours that may be
spent in
Teaching Activities
Administrative
Duties
Remaining hours that may
be spent providing direct
clinical care at the
hospital or affiliated
outpatient clinic
Full-time
40 hours/
week
At least 24
hours/week
Up to 8 hours/week
(as part of the
minimum 24
hours/week spent
providing direct
clinical care)
Up to 4
hours/week
Up to 12 hours/week
Half-time
20-39
hours/
week
At least 14
hours/week
Up to 4 hours/week
(as part of the
minimum 14
hours/week spent
providing direct
clinical care)
Up to 2
hours/week
Up to 4 hours/week
TRAINING AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program applicants must demonstrate
satisfactory professional competence, professional conduct, and meet discipline/specialty-
specific education, training, and licensure requirements, as described below.
National Health Service Corps applicants must have a current, full, permanent, unencumbered,
unrestricted health professional license, certificate, or registration at the time they submit their
application, as applicable, that authorizes the independent practice of the applicant’s discipline
without supervision in the state where their National Health Service Corps-approved service
site is located
2
, and in accordance with state requirements and national certification
organization standards.
Clinicians who are in residency programs may apply to the National Health Service Corps Loan
Repayment Program with a provisional license; however, they may not accept an award until
they possess a current, full, permanent, unencumbered, unrestricted health professional
license.
2
Applicants who intend to practice under the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program as (i) federal
employees, (ii) federal contractors, or (iii) employees of a tribal health program in a state in which the tribal health
program provides services described in its contract must have a current, full, permanent, unencumbered,
unrestricted health professional license, certificate, or registration (whichever is applicable) in a state.
20
The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program requires documentary proof of
completion of discipline-specific advanced training (medical residency, certification,
fellowships, etc.), licensure status, and any other requirement set forth below. While an
applicant may be licensed in the state of intended practice, they may need to meet additional
requirements to be eligible for the National Health Service Corps. For example, see the
Telehealth and Home Health Policies section for licensure requirements pertaining to
participants providing telehealth services.
Required Credentials for Eligible Disciplines
Licensure, Certification and/or Registration Requirements: In addition to any specific
requirements provided below, all clinicians must possess a current, full, permanent,
unencumbered, unrestricted health professional license, certificate, or registration, as
applicable, that enables the unsupervised practice of the relevant profession as required by
applicable state or federal law.
Discipline: Primary Care Physicians (Allopathic and Osteopathic)
Specialties
Education Requirements
Certification Requirements
Notes
• Family Medicine
• General Internal Medicine
• General Pediatrics
• Obstetrics/Gynecology
• Geriatrics
A certificate of completion
of an M.D. or D.O. at an
accredited school of
allopathic or osteopathic
medicine located in a state,
the District of Columbia, or
a U.S. territory. A school of
osteopathic medicine
accredited by the American
Osteopathic Association
Commission on Osteopathic
College Accreditation.
Completed (or will complete
and begin working by July 18,
2024) a residency program in
primary care or fellowship in
addiction medicine, approved
by the Accreditation Council
for Graduate Medical
Education.
Providers of geriatric services
must show specific advanced
training in geriatrics,
including but not limited to, a
residency, fellowship, or
certification in geriatric
medicine.
Discipline: Psychiatrists (Allopathic and Osteopathic)
Specialties
Education Requirements
Certification Requirements
Notes
• General Psychiatry
• Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry
Certificate of completion of
an M.D. or D.O. at an
accredited school of
allopathic or osteopathic
medicine located in a state,
the District of Columbia, or
a U.S. territory.
Completed (or will complete
and begin working by July 18,
2024) a residency program in
primary care, approved by the
Accreditation Council for
Graduate Medical Education.
N/A
21
Discipline: Physician Assistants – Primary Care or Mental Health
Specialties
Education Requirements
Certification Requirements
Notes
• Adult
• Family
• Pediatric
• Women’s Health
• Geriatrics
• Mental Health &
Psychiatry
Certificate of completion or
an associate, bachelor’s, or
master’s degree from a
physician assistant
educational program
accredited by the
Accreditation Review
Commission on Education
for the physician assistant.
National certification by the
National Commission on
Certification of Physician
Assistants.
N/A
Discipline: Nurse Practitioners – Primary Care or Mental Health
Specialties
Education Requirements
Certification Requirements
Notes
• Adult
• Family
• Pediatric
• Women’s Health
• Geriatrics
• Mental Health &
Psychiatry
Master’s degree, post-
master’s certificate, or
doctoral degree from a
school accredited by the
National League for Nursing
Accrediting Commission or
the Commission on
Collegiate Nursing
Education, in one of the
primary care nurse
practitioner specialties.
National certification by the
American Nurses
Credentialing Center, the
American Academy of Nurse
Practitioners, the Pediatric
Nursing Certification Board
(formerly the National
Certification Board of Pediatric
Nurse Practitioners and
Nurses), or the National
Certification Corporation in
one of the primary care nurse
practitioner specialties.
N/A
Discipline: Certified Nurse Midwives
Specialties
Education Requirements
Certification Requirements
Notes
None
Master’s degree or post-
baccalaureate certificate
from a school accredited by
the American College of
Nurse Midwives.
National certification by the
American Midwifery
Certification Board (formerly
the American Colleges of
Nurse Midwives Certification
Council).
N/A
Discipline: Dentists (DDS and DMD)
Specialties
Education Requirements
Certification Requirements
Notes
• General Dentistry
• Pediatric Dentistry
DDS or DMD degree from a
program accredited by the
American Dental
Association, Commission on
Dental Accreditation.
Pediatric dentists must
have also completed a two-
year training program in
the specialty of pediatric
dentistry that is accredited
by the American Dental
None
N/A
22
Specialties
Education Requirements
Certification Requirements
Notes
Association, Commission on
Dental Accreditation.
Discipline: Registered Dental Hygienists
Specialties
Education Requirements
Certification Requirements
Notes
None
Graduated from a four-year
program accredited by the
American Dental
Association, Commission on
Dental Accreditation with a
bachelor’s degree in dental
hygiene;
OR
Graduated from a two-year
dental hygiene training
program accredited by the
American Dental
Association, Commission on
Dental Accreditation with a
diploma, certificate, or
associate degree AND have
a least one year of
experience as a licensed
dental hygienist.
Successfully passed the
National Board of Dental
Hygiene Examination.
N/A
Discipline: Health Service Psychologists
Specialties
Education Requirements
Certification Requirements
Notes
None
Doctoral degree (Doctor of
Philosophy or equivalent)
directly related to clinical or
counseling psychology from
a program accredited by the
American Psychological
Association, Commission on
Accreditation
Passed the Examination for
Professional Practice of
Psychology;
AND
Have the ability to practice
independently and
unsupervised as a health
service psychologist. .
Health Service Psychologists
who work at schools that are
National Health Service Corps-
approved service sites must be
primarily engaged in direct
clinical and counseling
services and must meet the
clinical practice requirements
for the entire calendar year.
Psychologists focused on
career or guidance counseling
are not eligible
23
Discipline: Licensed Clinical Social Workers
Specialties
Education Requirements
Certification Requirements
Notes
None
Master’s degree or doctoral
degree in social work from a
school accredited by the
Council on Social Work
Education and affiliated
with an education
institution accredited by the
U.S. Department of
Education nationally
recognized accrediting body
Successfully passed the
Association of Social Work
Boards (ASWB) Clinical or
Advanced Generalist licensing
exam prior to July 1, 1998, or
the ASWB Clinical Exam on or
after July 1, 1998;
OR
Successfully passed the
Licensed Clinical Social
Workers Standard Written
Examination and the Clinical
Vignette Examination and
completed the state required
number of years or hours of
clinical social work experience
under the supervision of a
licensed independent social
worker and passed the clinical
level of the ASWB exam.
N/A
Discipline: Psychiatric Nurse Specialists
Specialties
Education Requirements
Certification Requirements
Notes
None
Master’s degree or higher
degree in nursing from a
program accredited by the
National League for Nursing
Accrediting Commission or
the Commission on
Collegiate Nursing
Education with a
specialization in
psychiatric/mental health
and two years of post-
graduate supervised clinical
experience in
psychiatric/mental health
nursing;
OR
Baccalaureate or higher
degree in nursing from a
program accredited by the
National League for Nursing
Accrediting Commission or
Commission on Collegiate
Nursing Education
Certification by the American
Nurses Credentialing Center as
a Psychiatric and Mental
Health Nurse, Clinical
Specialist in Adult Psychiatric
and Mental Health Nursing, or
Clinical Specialist in Child and
Adolescent Psychiatric and
Mental Health Nursing.
N/A
24
Discipline: Marriage and Family Therapists
Specialties
Education Requirements
Certification Requirements
Notes
None
Master’s or doctoral
program in marriage and
family therapy from a
program accredited by the
American Association for
Marriage and Family
Therapy, Commission on
Accreditation for Marriage
and Family Therapy
Education;
OR
Graduate degree in another
mental health field
(psychiatry, psychology,
clinical social work,
psychiatric nursing, etc.)
and completed a
Commission on
Accreditation for Marriage
and Family Therapy
Education accredited post-
graduate degree clinical
training program in
marriage and family therapy
Have at least two years of
post-graduate supervised
clinical experience as a
Marriage and Family
Therapist;
OR
Be a Clinical Fellow member
of the American Association
for Marriage and Family
Therapy;
OR
Successfully passed the
Marriage and Family Therapist
Standard Written Examination
N/A
Discipline: Licensed Professional Counselors
Specialties
Education Requirements
Certification Requirements
Notes
None
A master’s or higher degree
with a major study in
counseling from a school
accredited by a U.S.
Department of Education
nationally recognized
regional or state
institutional accrediting
agency;
AND
Have at least two years of
post-graduate supervised
counseling experience.
License, certificate, or
registration
If an licensed professional
counselor license, certificate
or registration is not available
in the state of intended
practice, have a current, full,
permanent, unencumbered,
unrestricted health
professional license,
certificate, or registration, as
applicable, to practice
independently and
unsupervised as a Licensed
Mental Health Counselor (or
as another discipline meeting
the licensed professional
counselor educational
requirements) in a state and
be practicing independently
and unsupervised as required
by applicable state or federal
law (e.g. licensed mental
health counselor can apply as
25
Specialties
Education Requirements
Certification Requirements
Notes
an licensed professional
counselor)
Licensed Professional
Counselors who work at
schools that are National
Health Service Corps-
approved service sites must
be primarily engaged in direct
clinical and counseling
services and must meet the
clinical practice requirements
for the entire calendar year.
Psychologists focused on
care er or guidanc e counseling
are not eligible.
ELIGIBLE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE CORPS-APPROVED SERVICE SITE TYPES
National Health Service Corps-approved service sites are health care facilities that generally
provide outpatient primary health services to populations residing in tribal, urban or rural
Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Note: In order to apply for the loan repayment program, the applicant’s site must be a National
Health Service Corps-approved service site by the time of the applicant’s submission.
The following types of sites are eligible for National Health Service Corps service site approval:
Auto-Approved Sites
• Federally Qualified Health Centers
• Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alikes
• Indian Health Service Facilities, Tribally Operated 638 Health Programs, Dual-Funded
(Tribal Health Clinic and Federally Qualified Health Center 330 Funded), Urban Indian
Health Programs and Indian Health Hospitals (with an affiliated outpatient clinic)
• Federal Prisons
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement Health Service Corps Facilities
Other Eligible Sites
• State Prisons
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Certified Rural Health Clinics
• Critical Access Hospitals
• Community Mental Health Centers
• State or Local Health Departments
• Community Outpatient Facilities
26
• Private Practices
• School-Based Clinics (that are not affiliated with a Federally Qualified Health Center or
Look-Alike)
• Mobile Units (that are not affiliated with a Federally Qualified Health Center or Look-
Alike)
• Free Clinics
• Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facilities
Some site categories are potentially eligible if certain conditions are met:
• Applicants should be aware that certain National Health Service Corps-approved service
sites must opt in for comprehensive primary behavioral/mental health care services for
providers to be eligible for a loan repayment program award to provide
behavioral/mental health services. To do so, sites must submit the National Health
Service Corps
Comprehensive Behavioral Health Services Checklist and supporting
documentation. Auto-approved service sites, state prisons, and Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration-Certified Opioid Treatment Programs are exempt
from this opt-in requirement.
• Critical Access Hospitals and Indian Health Service Hospitals and their affiliated
outpatient clinics may be approved as National Health Service Corps service sites.
Ineligible Site Types
The following are not eligible to become National Health Service Corps-approved service sites,
even if they are in a Health Professional Shortage Area:
• Inpatient hospitals (except Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services-certified Critical
Access Hospitals and some Indian Health Service hospitals)
• Clinics that exclusively provide care to veterans and active-duty military personnel (e.g.,
Veterans Health Administration medical centers, hospitals and clinics, and military
treatment facilities)
• Other types of inpatient facilities and inpatient rehabilitation programs
• Residential facilities
• Local/county/city/private correctional facilities
• Home-based health care settings of patients or clinicians
• Specialty clinics and/or service specific sites limited by gender identity, organ system,
illness, categorical population or service (e.g., clinics that only provide sexually
transmitted diseases/human immunodeficiency virus/tuberculosis services)
For more information about site eligibility and necessary documentation, visit the National
Health Service Corps website. Search the Health Workforce Connector for all National Health
Service Corps-approved service sites.
Practice Agreement Types
There are three (3) practice types available to National Health Service Corps participants:
27
(1) Federal Assignment. National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program
participants serving as federal employees are either Federal Civil Service employees or
active members of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and will typically
be working at a federal site (e.g., an Indian Health Service hospital). Participants
assigned as civil servants may request to serve half-time (subject to federal personnel
regulations); U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Commissioned Officers
must serve full-time.
(2) Private Practice Assignment. Under a Private Practice Assignment, a National Health
Service Corps Loan Repayment Program participant is employed by a public or private
entity and is subject to the personnel system (i.e., employment policies) of the entity to
which they are assigned. In addition, the site assures that the participant will receive a
salary and malpractice coverage at least equal to what they would have received as a
civilian employee of the U.S. Government. Malpractice insurance, including tail
coverage, can be provided through a commercial carrier or through the Federal Tort
Claims Act, if available to the site. The Private Practice Assignment service option is
available to both full-time and half-time participants.
(3) Private Practice Option. Under the Private Practice Option, a National Health Service
Corps Loan Repayment Program participant is either (a) self-employed (e.g., a solo
practitioner or co-owner of the site at which the participant works); (b) part of a group
practice; (c) an independent contractor; or (d) a salaried employee of an eligible,
National Health Service Corps-approved service site who is not receiving salary and
malpractice coverage at least equal to what they would receive as a Federal Civil
Servant. To serve under the Private Practice Option, the participant must submit a
Private Practice Option request (application) and, if the National Health Service Corps
approves the request, the participant must enter into a Private Practice Option
Agreement that stipulates the special provisions that apply to those serving under the
Private Practice Option. The Private Practice Option service option is open only to full-
time participants.
NOTE: Federal Assignment and Private Practice Assignment require the National Health Service
Corps-approved service site to accept Medicare assignment, enter into the appropriate
agreements under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and utilize a
schedule of discounts (including, as appropriate, waivers) of fees based on a patient’s ability to
pay (see the Glossary in the Appendix section, for the definition of “National Health Service
Corps-approved Service Site”). The Private Practice Option requires the individual to comply
with the same billing requirements.
28
If an applicant is …
and their salary and
malpractice/tail coverage are…
they will serve under a:
A federal Civil Service employee or
an active member of the U.S.
Public Health
Service Commissioned Corps
provided by a Federal Government
entity
Federal Assignment
NOT a federal employee but an
employee of a National Health
Service Corps-approved service
site
at least equal to what they would
earn as a civilian employee of the
U.S. Government
Private Practice Assignment
NOT a federal employee but an
employee of a National Health
Service Corps-approved service
site
less than what they would earn as a
civilian employee of the U.S.
Government
Private Practice Option
NOT a federal employee but an
independent contractor to a
National Health Service Corps-
approved site, or a member of a
group practice in an eligible Health
Professional Shortage Area site, or
a solo practitioner in a National
Health Service Corps-approved
service site
whatever income they earn or
generate; whatever malpractice
coverage they purchase or receive
Private Practice Option
Telehealth and Home Health Policies
Telehealth. Participants will not receive service credit for telehealth delivered services that
exceed more than 75 percent of the minimum weekly hours required to provide direct clinical
care, under the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program contract. National
Health Service Corps participants must comply with all applicable telemedicine policies of their
site as well as all applicable federal and state rules and policies regarding telemedicine services.
National Health Service Corps participants who are performing telehealth are encouraged to
visit the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Telehealth Resource Centers website
and use the resources provided. These centers provide free telehealth technical assistance and
training for providers using telehealth.
Subject to the restrictions below, the National Health Service Corps will consider telehealth as
direct clinical care when both the originating site (location of the patient) and the distant site
(location of the National Health Service Corps participant) are located in a Health Professional
Shortage Area and are National Health Service Corps-approved. All National Health Service
Corps Loan Repayment Program participants who are providing telehealth services are subject
to the following requirements:
29
a. Participants must practice in accordance with applicable licensure and professional
standards.
b. Participants must be available to provide in-person care at each telehealth site on
the Loan Repayment Program application, regardless of whether such sites are
distant or originating.
c. Sites may direct telehealth to be conducted to or from an approved alternative
setting, but participants will only receive credit for telehealth conducted in
compliance with National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program guidelines.
Approved alternative settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, and shelters, must
be in a HPSA and must provide services that are appropriate for the discipline and
specialty of the clinician and the services provided. Services at alternative sites must
be an extension of the comprehensive primary care provided at the National Health
Service Corps-approved service site.
d. Self-employed clinicians are not eligible to earn National Health Service Corps
service credit for telehealth services.
e. Telehealth services must use an interactive telecommunications system. Telephone
and email systems do not meet the telehealth requirements.
Home Health. The National Health Service Corps does not recognize the homes of patients or
providers as National Health Service Corps-approved service sites. As such, home visits may
only be conducted at the direction of the National Health Service Corps-approved service site
and may only be counted in the alternative setting allotment for direct clinical care (see the
Eligible Primary Care Providers and Clinical Practice Requirements section).
HOW LOAN REPAYMENT AWARDS ARE DETERMINED
The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program determines loan repayment
awards using rankings of Health Professional Shortage Areas, Maternity Care Target Areas,
funding priorities, and other selection factors.
Health Professional Shortage Areas
The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program statute requires that providers
work in Health Professional Shortage Areas of greatest need. The Secretary determines Health
Professional Shortage Areas for the following categories: Primary Care, Dental Health, and
Mental Health.
Eligible applications are prioritized and awarded based on descending order of the Health
Professional Shortage Area score for the applicant’s intended site of service (i.e., your work
site).
If an applicant is serving or will serve at multiple National Health Service Corps-approved
service sites with different Health Professional Shortage Area scores, the lowest score will
determine the order in which the application will be reviewed. Health Professional Shortage
Area data as of the application submission deadline will be used for the Fiscal Year 2024 award
cycle. Some participants may be required to serve in specific types of Health Professional
30
Shortage Areas. For example, mental health providers will be evaluated, and slots allocated
based on Mental Health, Health Professional Shortage Area scores.
Maternity Care Target Area
A Maternity Care Target Area is a geographic area within a Primary Care Health Professional
Shortage Area that has a shortage of maternity care health professionals. A higher Maternity
Care Target Area score indicates greater need for maternity care health professionals. The
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program will review and approve applications
from maternity care health professionals by descending Primary Care Health Professional
Shortage Area or Maternity Care Target Area score, whichever is higher, and based on the
information in the Funding Priorities section of this document. Maternity care health
professionals are obstetricians/gynecologists, family medicine physicians who practice
obstetrics, and certified nurse midwives.
Note: Maternity care health professionals must serve in a Maternity Care Target Area within a
Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area. Maternity care health professionals serving
exclusively in a Mental Health, Health Professional Shortage Area are not eligible for an award.
Funding Priorities
Consistent with the National Health Service Corps enabling statute and policy, priorities in
funding will be applied to eligible and qualified applicants as follows:
• Current (or former) National Health Service Corps Participants with Remaining Eligible
Loans
Former National Health Service Corps members include scholarship recipients and former
participants of the various National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Programs who
have completed their service obligation and have remaining eligible student loans.
• Characteristics Likely to Remain Practicing in a Health Professional Shortage Area
The National Health Service Corps will also give priority to an applicant who has (and whose
spouse, if any, has) characteristics that indicate a higher likelihood of continuing to practice
in a HPSA after the service obligation is completed. The program will assess the applicant’s
education, training, and experience in working with underserved populations by considering
the following factors to determine this priority:
a. Applicants who have completed postgraduate medical or dental training program
funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration through the Teaching
Health Center Graduate Medical Education Payment Program or a Health Resources
and Services Administration-funded Advanced Nursing Education Nurse Practitioner
Residency Program or Advanced Nursing Education Nurse Practitioner Residency
Integration Program.
b. The duration of the applicant’s tenure at the current National Health Service Corps-
approved service site; and
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c. The characteristics of the applicant’s spouse, if applicable, that indicate they are
likely to remain in a Health Professional Shortage Area. In the event this funding
priority must be executed, the National Health Service Corps may consider a
spouse’s employment status and their proximity to a Health Professional Shortage
Area. The National Health Service Corps will contact the applicant directly to
retrieve documentation that determines the distance between the spouse’s place of
employment and the National Health Service Corp’s applicant’s approved service
site. All information collected be compiled and ranked to determine final issuance
of an award.
• Training in a Specialty Determined by the Secretary to be Needed by the National Health
Service Corps
The National Health Service Corps will also give priority to an applicant who has training in a
health profession or specialty determined by the Secretary to be needed by the National
Health Service Corps. The Secretary has determined that completers of the following
programs have training in a specialty needed by the National Health Service Corps:
a. Applicants who have completed a Health Resources and Services Administration-
funded Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program
3
. The National Health Service Corps
has identified a need for addiction medicine specialists trained in community-based
settings. Accordingly, the National Health Service Corps will give priority to
applicants who have completed a Health Resources and Services Administration-
funded Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program. The Addiction Medicine Fellowship
Program trains addiction medicine specialists who work in underserved, community-
based settings that integrate primary care with mental health disorders and
substance use disorder prevention and treatment services.
b. Applicants who have completed a Health Resources and Services Administration-
funded Graduate Psychology Education Program. The National Health Service Corps
has identified a need for specialists with addiction medicine training in community-
based settings. Accordingly, the National Health Service Corps will give priority to
applicants who have completed a Health Resources and Services Administration-
funded Graduate Psychology Education Program
4
. The Graduate Psychology
Education Program trains addiction medicine specialists who work in underserved,
community-based settings that integrate primary care with mental health disorders
and substance use disorder prevention and treatment services. Program completers
will have completed at least twenty-five (25) percent of the time in the experiential
training site(s) delivering opioid use disorder and other substance use disorder
prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
3
The Addiction Medicine Fellowship program is authorized under 42 U.S.C. § 294k(a)(1) (Section 760(a)(1) of the
Public Health Service Act). Funding was awarded under Notice of Funding Opportunity number HRSA-20-013.
4
The Graduate Psychology Education Program is authorized by 42 U.S.C. § 294e–1(a)(2) (Section 756(a)(2) of the
Public Health Service Act). Funding was awarded under Notice of Funding Opportunity number HRSA-22-043.
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• Disadvantaged Background (see the Required Supporting Documentation section).
Consistent with the governing statute, the National Health Service Corps will also give
priority to an applicant who has (and whose spouse, if any, has) characteristics that
indicate a higher likelihood of continuing to practice in a Health Professional Shortage
Area after the service obligation is completed and who comes from a disadvantaged
background. The applicant may submit certification from their school on the National
Health Service Corps-approved Disadvantaged Background form that they:
(i) were identified as having a “disadvantaged background” based on
environmental and/or economic factors, or
(ii) received a federal Exceptional Financial Need Scholarship. Applicants may also
self-attest to having a disadvantaged background by uploading a document that
validates that they meet the criteria included on the disadvantaged background
form. (An Examples of documents that would satisfy this requirement include: a
Federal Student Aid report).
Selection Factors
Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria outlined Funding Priorities section, must also
demonstrate the following:
(1) History of honoring prior legal obligations. The National Health Service Corps will
perform a hard inquiry
5
with credit bureaus prior to making the award decision.
Applicants who do not have a history of honoring prior legal obligations, as evidenced
by one or more of the following factors, will not be selected:
a. Default on any federal payment obligations, e.g., Department of Education
student loans, Health Education Assistance Loans, Nursing Student Loans,
Federal Housing Administration Loans, federal income tax liabilities, federally
guaranteed/insured loans (e.g., student or home mortgage loans) or any non-
federal payment obligations (e.g., court-ordered child support payments or
state tax liabilities), unless the obligation was subsequently satisfied.
b. Write-offs/charge-offs of any federal or non-federal debts as uncollectible or
waiver of any federal service or payment obligation.
c. Default on a prior service obligation. Applicants who have defaulted on a prior
service obligation to the federal government, a state or local government, or
other entity, will not be selected, unless the obligation was subsequently
satisfied.
d. Judgment liens arising from federal debt.
5
According to the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, these inquiries “are typically inquiries by lenders
after you apply for credit. These inquiries will impact your credit score because most credit scoring models look at
how recently and how frequently you apply for credit.” (Source: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/).
33
e. Failure/refusal to provide appropriate permission/consent for the National
Health Service Corps to access the participant’s credit report and failure/refusal
to unlock and unfreeze a frozen credit report.
(2) Do not have negative report on the National Practitioner Data Bank. The National
Health Service Corps will request and review the applicant’s National Practitioner Data
Bank report.
(3) Are not in breach of any service obligation. Applicants will not be selected for an
award if they are in breach of a health professional service obligation to a federal,
state, or other entity.
(4) Do not have an existing current service obligation and agree not to incur any service
obligation that would be performed concurrently with, or overlap with, their
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program service obligation.
Participants who subsequently enter into other service obligations (e.g., State Loan
Repayment Program) will be subject to the breach of contract provision (see the
Breaching the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program Contract
section).
Exceptions:
a. Applicants who are already obligated to a federal, state, or other entity (e.g., National
Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Programs, Nurse Corps Loan Repayment
Program, active military duty, State Loan Repayment Program, Indian Health Service
Loan Repayment Program, or any other entity that obligates you to remain employed
at a certain geographical location) for professional practice or service may be eligible
for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, if they will completely
satisfy that obligation by the following applicable dates:
• For National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program and Nurse Corps
Scholarship Program: July 31, 2024.
• For National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Programs participants, Nurse
Corps Loan Repayment Program participants, active military duty, State Loan
Repayment Program participants or Indian Health Service Loan Repayment
Program participants: July 18, 2024
b. Members of a reserve component of the Armed Forces or National Guard who are not
on active duty prior to receiving a Loan Repayment Program award are eligible for the
program. If military obligations in combination with the participant’s other absences
from the service site will exceed seven weeks per service year, the National Health
Service Corps Loan Repayment Program service obligation end date will be extended.
If the reservist is deployed, they are expected to return to the National Health Service
Corps-approved service site where they were serving prior to deployment or apply for
a transfer to another National Health Service Corps-approved service site.
34
(5) Are not currently excluded, debarred, suspended, or disqualified by a federal
agency. Applicants are required to report certain information, which is described in
the “Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Disqualification and Related
Matters” section of the online application. The applicant must sign the certification
that is applicable to their situation. As a condition of participating in the National
Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, a participant must agree to provide
immediate written notice to the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment
Program if the participant learns that they failed to make a required disclosure or that
a disclosure is now required due to changed circumstances. The National Health
Service Corps will verify each participant’s status through the U.S. Department of the
Treasury’s Do Not Pay site.
PROGRAM COMPLIANCE
To qualify for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, applicants must
either 1) be working at a National Health Service Corps-approved service site or 2) have
accepted an offer of employment at a National Health Service Corps-approved service site by
the date they submit their application and will begin meeting the National Health Service Corps
clinical practice requirements at the National Health Service Corps site they identified (in their
application) by July 18, 2024. However, all applications regardless of employment start date
must be submitted by the application closing deadline, which is May 9, 2024.
Dates of the Service Obligation
The participant’s award letter will note the beginning and projected end dates of the service
obligation. In addition, this information is contained in the participant profile on the Bureau of
Health Workforce Customer Service Portal. Participants will not receive service credit for any
employment at a National Health Service Corps-approved service site prior to the effective date
of their National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program contract.
The last day of the service obligation is determined in whole years from the start date. For
example, the last day of service for a participant with a two-year full-time service obligation
that began on July 15, 2024, would be July 14, 2026. The end date may be extended if a
participant is away from the site for more than seven weeks (roughly 35 workdays) per service
year (see the Worksite Absences section).
Role of the Site Point of Contact
To complete an application and track their work hours during their service, National Health
Service Corps participants work closely with a site point of contact for each work site. The site
point of contact is the on-site official who has agreed to and is qualified to perform the
applicant’s initial employment verification, as well as the participant’s In-Service Verifications
(see the Service Verification section) throughout the obligated service period.
35
Employment Status
Most National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program participants are employees or
independent contractors of their work sites. Employment contract negotiations are solely the
responsibility of the clinician and are between the clinician and the service site. Applicants may
want to seek legal guidance from private counsel before entering into an employment contract.
The participant’s service contract with the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment
Program is separate and independent from the participant’s employment contract with the
service site. The participant must meet the hours per week specified in their National Health
Service Corps Loan Repayment Program contract even if their employment contract stipulates
fewer hours (and their salary is based on those hours).
Worksite Absences
The information provided below pertains to compliance with the National Health Service Corps
Loan Repayment Program service obligation and is not a guarantee that a service site will allow
any particular amount of leave. Leave must be approved by the service site; therefore,
participants cannot receive credit for leave if they are unemployed.
(1) Full-time participants are allowed to spend no more than seven weeks (35 full-time
workdays or 280 full-time working hours) per service year away from the National
Health Service Corps-approved service site for vacation, holidays, continuing
professional education, illness, or any other reason.
(2) Half-time participants are allowed to spend no more than seven weeks (35 half-
time workdays or 140 half-time working hours) per service year away from the
National Health Service Corps-approved service site for vacation, holidays,
continuing professional education, illness, or any other reason.
If a participant works more than the minimum number of hours per week (40 for full-time
participants, 20 for half-time participants), the only time spent away from the site that will
need to be reported (see the Service Verification section) and deducted from the allowed
absences per service year (as set forth in the Eligible Primary Care Providers and Clinical
Practice Requirements section) are the hours of absence that cause a participant’s work hours
to fall below the National Health Service Corps’ required minimum number of hours per week.
For example, a half-time participant who works 32 hours a week would not need to report 12
hours of sick leave because the participant has still met the National Health Service Corps’
minimum service requirement of 20 hours a week.
36
Absences over 280 full-time working hours or 140 half-time working hours (which translates
into seven weeks or 35 workdays) will result in the extension of the participant’s service
obligation. Participants who have a medical or personal emergency that will result in an
extended period of absence will need to request a suspension of the National Health Service
Corps service obligation and provide supporting documentation. The National Health Service
Corps cannot guarantee that a suspension request will be approved. If a suspension is
requested and approved, the participant’s service obligation end date will be extended
accordingly (see the Suspensions of Service Obligations section).
Service Verification
Every six months, National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program participants must
submit service verification documentation certifying their compliance or noncompliance with
the clinical practice requirements. The In-Service Verification will also record the time spent
away from the service site during the six-month period and hours that fall below 40 (full-time)
and 20 (half-time) hours/week. The site point of contact verifies the accuracy of these
submissions. It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure that the site point of contact
completes the verification in a timely manner and that it is accurate.
Participants who fail to ensure that their In-Service Verification forms are completed and
submitted on time risk not receiving service credit and being recommended for default.
Participants who do not submit In-Service Verifications or who are consistently late in
submitting them may not be selected for a National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment
Program continuation contract.
Tra nsitioning from the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program to the National Health
Service Corps Loan Repayment Program
National Health Service Corps Scholars completing their service obligation who wish to be
considered for a Fiscal Year 2024 National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program
award will be able to complete an application by accessing their Bureau of Health Workforce
Customer Service Portal account and submitting a complete application by the deadline of May
9, 2024. Scholar applicants will receive funding priority (see the Funding Priorities section).
National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program participants intending to remain at the same
National Health Service Corps-approved service site where they will complete their National
Health Service Corps Scholarship Program service obligation are eligible to apply for the
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, so long as the scholarship obligation
will be fulfilled on or before July 31, 2024.
Scholars who intend to transfer to another National Health Service Corps-approved service site
must complete their National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program obligation at their
current National Health Service Corps-approved service site by July 31, 2024. When completing
the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program application, scholar applicants who
intend to transfer to a new service site will need to submit the new site for the National Health
37
Service Corps Loan Repayment Program so that Health Resources and Services Administration
can verify future employment.
Continuing Service After Initial Two-year Contract
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program participants may be eligible for a
continuation contract, which extends an initial loan repayment contract, one year at a time,
allowing pay off all qualifying educational loans. To remain eligible for a continuation contract,
the individual must have unpaid qualifying educational loans, apply for the continuation
contract before the initial two year loan repayment contract ends, have applied all previously
received National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program payments to reduce their
qualifying educational loans, continue to serve at a National Health Service Corps-approved
service site, and meet all other program eligibility criteria in effect at the time the participant is
being considered for a continuation contract. There is no guarantee that a participant will
receive a continuation contract for continued participation in the program beyond the initial
contract. Continuation contracts will be made at the government’s discretion and are subject to
the availability of appropriated funds. For more information on continuation awards, visit the
Determine Your Eligibility and Apply for a Continuation Contract page on the NHSC website.
NOTE: Participants who complete their initial two-year contract and will not be continuing their
service with the National Health Service Corps will receive a completion letter after all In-
Service Verifications are completed.
Changes and Disruptions to Your Service Obligation
The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program provides detailed information
about the responsibilities of program participants. The contract can only be terminated in
specific and rare circumstances. See the Withdrawal Process section for information on
terminating a contract.
APPLICATION WITHDRAWAL AND CONTRACT TERMINATION
Withdrawal Process
After submitting an application, and even after signing the contract through the Confirmation
of Interest process, an applicant may withdraw their application any time before the contract is
countersigned by the Secretary or their designee (see the Application Review and Award
Process section). To withdraw an application simply call the Bureau of Health Workforce
Customer Care Center at 1-800-221-9393 or TTY: 1-877-897-9910. Once the application has
been withdrawn, the applicant will not incur a service or payment obligation.
38
Contract Termination
An applicant becomes a participant in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment
Program only upon entering into a contract with the Secretary of HHS. The contract becomes
fully executed (and effective) on the date that the Secretary (or the Secretary’s designee)
countersigns the contract. The Secretary may terminate a National Health Service Corps Loan
Repayment Program contract, if within sixty (60) days following the contract’s execution date,
the participant:
(1) Submits a written request to terminate the contract via BHW Customer Service
Portal no later than sixty (60) days after the contract has been executed; OR
(2) At any time if the individual who has been awarded such contract has not received
funds due under the contract.
A written request for contract termination should be submitted through the Bureau of Health
Workforce Customer Service Portal. If due to timing, the NHSC LRP funds have been disbursed
to the participant, they will receive separate instructions via the Bureau of Health Workforce
Customer Service Portal or directly from a NHSC representative outlining the process for
returning the awarded funds.
Requests to terminate the contract after sixty (60) days will not be considered unless the
individual who has been awarded such contract has not received funds due under the contract.
Participants who do not meet the conditions for contract termination will be expected to
perform their obligations under the contract. Failure to fulfill the terms of the contract may be
considered a breach of contract.
Conversion to Full-Time or Half-Time Status
At the discretion of the Secretary or their designee, and upon written request, a waiver may be
granted to allow a full-time participant to complete the service obligation through half-time
service by extending the time commitment of the service obligation. The following conditions
must be met to be considered for half-time service:
(3) A participant’s National Health Service Corps-approved service site agrees in writing
that the participant may convert to half-time clinical practice (as defined by the
National Health Service Corps);
(4) A participant is a federal employee or a Private Practice Assignee (see the Practice
Agreement Types section). The half-time option is not authorized for Private
Practice Option practitioners; and
(5) A participant agrees in writing (by signing an addendum to the National Health
Service Corps Loan Repayment Program full-time contract) to complete the
remaining service obligation through half-time clinical practice for twice as long as
the full-time commitment.
39
Requests must be submitted through the Bureau of Health Workforce Customer Service Portal.
Once the conversion to half-time service becomes effective, the participant’s service obligation
end date and allowable leave will be adjusted accordingly. Participants will not be allowed to
switch back to full-time service once they have converted to half-time service.
Half-time participants are only allowed to convert to full-time service at the point they enter a
new full-time National Health Service Corps continuation contract under the following
conditions:
(1) The participant has completed their existing half-time service obligation. Participants
will not be allowed to switch from half-time to full-time status within a service
contract period (e.g., six months into a two-year half-time contract);
(2) The participant’s National Health Service Corps-approved service site agrees via the
online Employment Verification that the participant will convert to full-time clinical
practice (as defined by the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program
above); and
(3) The participant agrees to perform one year of full-time clinical practice at their
National Health Service Corps-approved service site.
Leaving an Approved Service Site Prior to Completion of Service Obligation
If a participant feels they can no longer continue working at their National Health Service Corps-
approved service site(s), they should discuss the situation and/or concerns with site
management and must contact the National Health Service Corps immediately through the
Bureau of Health Workforce Customer Service Portal. If the participant leaves their National
Health Service Corps-approved service site(s) without prior approval of the National Health
Service Corps, they may be placed in default as of the date they stopped providing direct clinical
care at the National Health Service Corps-approved service site and become liable for the
monetary damages specified in their National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program
contract. Participants who are terminated for cause by their service site will be placed in
default. For details, see the Breaching the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment
Program Contract section.
Transferring to Another Approved Service Site
The National Health Service Corps expects that participants will fulfill their obligation at the
National Health Service Corps-approved service site(s) identified in the Bureau of Health
Workforce Customer Service Portal and in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment
Program Application. However, the National Health Service Corps understands that
circumstances may arise that require a participant to leave the initial service site and complete
service at another National Health Service Corps-approved service site. Participants who
require a site change to another National Health Service Corps-approved service site must
request a transfer through the Bureau of Health Workforce Customer Service Portal. Approval
of all transfer requests is at the National Health Service Corps’ discretion and may depend on
the circumstances of the participant’s resignation or termination from the current service site.
40
The site change must be approved and processed by the National Health Service Corps prior to
the participant beginning work at the new site. If a participant begins employment at a site
before obtaining National Health Service Corps approval, they may not receive service credit for
the time period between their last day providing direct clinical care at the prior service site and
resumption of service at the transfer site following National Health Service Corps approval. If
the proposed site is not approved by the National Health Service Corps and the participant
refuses assignment to another National Health Service Corps-approved service site, they may
be placed in default. For details, see the Breaching the National Health Service Corps Loan
Repayment Program Contract section.
Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Leave
The Health Resources and Services Administration will automatically approve requests for
maternity/paternity/adoption leave of 12 weeks or less, if documented in the Bureau of Health
Workforce Customer Service Portal. If participants plan to be away from their site for
maternity/paternity/adoption leave, they are required to inform the National Health Service
Corps before taking the leave. The National Health Service Corps will allow participants to be
away from their site within the timeframes established by either the Family Medical Leave Act
(up to 12 weeks) or the participant’s state of residence; however, the participant must also
adhere to the leave policies of their National Health Service Corps-approved service site. If
participants plan to take more than 12 weeks, they are required to request a medical
suspension (see the Suspensions of Service Obligations section), which may or may not be
approved by the National Health Service Corps. Requests should be submitted through the
Bureau of Health Workforce Customer Service Portal. Remember that a participant is required
to serve a minimum of 45 weeks per service year and is allowed to be away from the National
Health Service Corps-approved service site for no more than seven weeks (35 workdays) per
service year; therefore, a participant’s obligation end date will be extended for each day of
absence over the allowable seven weeks (35 workdays).
Suspensions Of Service Obligation and Payment Obligation
The National Health Service Corps requires participants to fulfill their service obligation without
excessive absences or significant interruptions in service. Participants are allowed seven weeks
(35 workdays) of leave per service year. If circumstances prevent a participant from staying
within this timeframe, the Secretary may suspend or waive the National Health Service Corps
Loan Repayment Program service obligation or payment obligation. For details, see the Waivers
and Cancellation of the Service Obligation section.
Suspension. A suspension of the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment
Program commitment may be granted if compliance with the commitment by the
participant: (i) is temporarily impossible, or (ii) would involve a temporary extreme
hardship such that enforcement of the commitment would be unconscionable.
Periods of approved suspension of service will extend the participant’s service
obligation end date. The major categories of suspension are set forth below.
Suspension requests are submitted through the Bureau of Health Workforce
Customer Service Portal.
41
a. Leave of Absence for Medical or Personal Reasons. A suspension may be
granted for up to one year if the participant provides independent medical
documentation of a physical or mental health disability, or personal
circumstances, including a terminal illness of an immediate family member
(e.g., child or spouse), which results in the participant’s temporary inability to
perform the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program’s service
obligation.
b. Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Leave. If the participant’s
maternity/paternity/adoption leave during a service year will exceed the time
that is permitted under the Family Medical Leave Act (up to 12 weeks) or state
law where the participant resides, a suspension may be granted by the
National Health Service Corps based on documented medical need.
c. Call to Active Duty in the Armed Forces. Participants who are military
reservists and are called to active duty must submit a request for a National
Health Service Corps service suspension through the Bureau of Health
Workforce Customer Service Portal. The period of active military duty will not
be credited towards the National Health Service Corps service obligation.
Suspensions for active-duty military assignment are granted for up to one year,
beginning on the activation date described in the reservist’s call to active-duty
order. A copy of the order to active duty must be provided to the National
Health Service Corps with the request for a suspension. In the event that the
National Health Service Corps participant’s period of active duty with the
armed forces entity is extended beyond the approved suspension period, the
participant must contact the National Health Service Corps through the Bureau
of Health Workforce Customer Service Portal for guidance on how to request
an extension of the suspension period.
Unemployment During Service Obligation
Participants who resign or are terminated from their National Health Service Corps-approved
service site(s) must contact the National Health Service Corps immediately through the Bureau
of Health Workforce Customer Service Portal. If the National Health Service Corps deems the
participant is eligible for a transfer, the National Health Service Corps will give the participant a
specific period of time in which to obtain employment at an approved service site identified by
the National Health Service Corps or at another suitable National Health Service Corps-
approved service site identified by the participant (see the Transferring to Another Approved
Service Site section).
Although the National Health Service Corps may assist unemployed participants with identifying
suitable positions at National Health Service Corps-approved service sites (referred to as “site
assistance”), it is the participant’s responsibility to obtain employment at a National Health
Service Corps-approved service site. The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment
Program contract is not limited to service in a particular geographic area; the participant may
42
need to relocate in order to fulfill their National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program
service obligation.
• Approval of a transfer or reassignment is at the National Health Service Corps’
discretion, and available service opportunities may not be in the participant's preferred
geographic area.
• Participants who voluntarily resigned from their sites without prior approval from the
National Health Service Corps, were terminated for cause, or are deemed ineligible for
site assistance may not receive a transfer to another site, may be disqualified from
continuation contract eligibility, and may be placed in default and become liable for the
monetary damages specified in the participant’s National Health Service Corps Loan
Repayment Program contract. For details, see the Breaching the National Health Service
Corps Loan Repayment Program Contract section.
Work at an Unapproved Satellite Clinic
Participants who are asked by their service site to work at a satellite clinic that is not listed in
the provider’s profile on the Bureau of Health Workforce Customer Service Portal must
immediately notify the National Health Service Corps through the Bureau of Health Workforce
Customer Service Portal. Time spent at unapproved clinics will not count towards the
participant’s service obligation.
Breaching the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program Contract
While the National Health Service Corps will work with participants to assist them to the extent
possible to avoid a breach, failure to complete service for any reason is a breach of the National
Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program contract. Participants should make sure that
they understand the following monetary damages that are required by federal law when a Loan
Repayment Program contract is breached.
A participant who breaches a commitment to serve in a full-time clinical practice will
become liable to the United States for an amount equal to the sum of the following:
(1) The amount of the loan repayments paid to the participant representing any period
of obligated service not completed;
(2) $7,500 multiplied by the number of months of obligated service not completed; AND
(3) Interest on the above amounts at the maximum legal prevailing rate, as determined
by the Treasurer of the United States, from the date of breach.
Except the amount the United States is entitled to recover shall not be less than $31,000.
A participant who breaches a commitment to serve in a half-time clinical practice will become
liable to the United States for an amount equal to the sum of the following:
(1) The amount of the loan repayments paid to the participant representing any period
of obligated service not completed;
(2) $3,750 multiplied by the number of months of obligated service not completed; AND
(3) Interest on the above amounts at the maximum legal prevailing rate, as determined
by the Treasurer of the United States, from the date of breach.
43
Except the amount the United States is entitled to recover shall not be less than $31,000.
Thus, a participant who breaches a full-time or half-time service commitment will owe no less
than $31,000.
Any participant who breaches the contract will receive a default notice from the Debt
Collection Center that specifies the amount the United States is entitled to recover, as set forth
above. The debt will be due to be paid within one year of the date of the default. During the
one-year repayment period, the debt will be reported to the credit reporting agencies as
“current.” Failure to pay the debt by the due date has the following consequences:
(1) The debt will be reported as delinquent to credit reporting agencies. If the debt
becomes past due (i.e., remains unpaid at the end of the one-year repayment
period), it will be reported as “delinquent.”
(2) The debt may be referred to a debt collection agency and the Department of
Justice. Any National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program debt past due
for 45 days may be referred to a debt collection agency. If the debt collection agency
is unsuccessful in collecting payment, the debt will be referred to the Department of
Justice for filing of a lawsuit against the defaulter.
(3) Administrative Offset. Federal or state payments due to the participant (e.g., an
Internal Revenue Service or state income tax refund) may be offset by the
Department of Treasury to pay a delinquent National Health Service Corps Loan
Repayment Program debt. Also, defaulters who are federal employees may have up
to 15 percent of their take-home pay garnished to pay a delinquent National Health
Service Corps Loan Repayment Program debt.
(4) Licensure Sanctions. In some states, health professions licensing boards may impose
sanctions, including suspension or revocation of a defaulter’s professional license, if
the defaulter fails to satisfactorily address repayment of their National Health
Service Corps Loan Repayment Program debt.
Bankruptcy and Default
The participant should also be aware that it is not easy to discharge a National Health Service
Corps Loan Repayment Program debt by filing for bankruptcy. A financial obligation under the
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program is not dischargeable in bankruptcy for
seven years after the debt becomes due (i.e., for seven years from the end of the one-year
repayment period). After the seven-year period of absolute non-discharge expires, the debt
may be discharged in bankruptcy only if a bankruptcy court determines that it would be
unconscionable not to discharge the debt.
Sample Default Scenarios
Scenario 1
Dr. Jane Smith entered into a two-year National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Payment
full-time service contract effective January 14, 2024. Her service end date is January 13, 2026.
She received $75,000 in Loan Repayment Program financial support to apply toward her
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qualifying educational loans. She was terminated for cause by her service site at the end of her
workday on March 31, 2024. The National Health Service Corps determines that she defaulted
on her Loan Repayment Program contract on April 1, 2024, and served 78 days of her two-year
(731-day) service obligation.
Dr. Smith is liable to the United States for: (1) $66,997 for the loan repayments received for
obligated service not completed (653 days not completed /731 day service obligation x
$75,000) and (2) $165,000 for the months of service not completed ($7,500 x 22). Her total
Loan Repayment Program debt of $231,997 will begin accruing interest at the maximum legal
prevailing rate as of her default date (April 1, 2024). Dr. Smith will receive a default notice from
the Debt Collection Center that specifies the amount the United States is entitled to recover, as
set forth above. The debt will be due to be paid within one year of the date of the default.
Scenario 2: Dr. Smith entered into a 2-year National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment
Program full-time service contract effective January 14, 2024. Her service end date is January
13, 2026. She received $50,000 in Loan Repayment Program financial support to apply toward
her qualifying educational loans. She was terminated for cause by her service site at the end of
her workday on March 31, 2024. The National Health Service Corps determines that she
defaulted on her Loan Repayment Program contract on April 1, 2024, and served 77 days of her
2-year (731-day) service obligation.
Dr. Smith is liable to the United States for: (1) $44,733 for the loan repayments received for
obligated service not completed (654/731 x $50,000) and (2) $165,000 for the months of
service not completed ($7,500 x 22). Her total Loan Repayment Program debt of $209,733 will
begin accruing interest at the maximum legal prevailing rate as of her default date (April 1,
2024). Dr. Smith will receive a default notice from the Debt Collection Center that specifies the
amount the United States is entitled to recover, as set forth above. The debt will be due to be
paid within one year of the date of the default.
Waivers and Cancellation of the Service or Payment Obligation
Waiver. A waiver permanently relieves the participant of all or part of the National Health
Service Corps Loan Repayment Program service or payment obligation. A waiver may be
granted only if the participant demonstrates that compliance with their commitment is
permanently impossible or would involve an extreme hardship such that enforcement of the
commitment would be unconscionable (See 42 CFR §62.28). A waiver request and
supporting documents must submitted electronically through the Bureau of Health
Workforce Customer Service Portal. The participant will be contacted by the Health
Resources and Services Administration if supplemental medical and/or financial
documentation is necessary to complete the waiver request.
NOTE: Waivers are not routinely granted and require documentation of compelling
circumstances.
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Cancellation. The National Health Service Corps obligation will be cancelled in its entirety in the
event of a program participant’s death. No liability will be transferred to the participant’s heirs.
Application Information
APPLICATION DEADLINE
A complete online application must be submitted via the Bureau of Health Workforce Customer
Service Portal by May 9, 2024, 7:30 p.m. ET. All supporting documentation for the application
must be uploaded before an individual can submit a complete application package. Applicants
must upload all documents; the National Health Service Corps will not accept documentation
by fax or mail. The electronic Employment Verification (see below) must also be completed
before an applicant can submit their application.
Applicants should keep a copy of the completed application package for their records.
Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete and accurate online application, including
ALL required documentation in a legible format. If during the initial review of the application,
the National Health Service Corps discovers that documentation is missing, or not legible, the
application may be deemed “incomplete” and rejected. If the answers provided in the online
application do not match the supporting/ supplemental documents, or if the documentation
provided does not accurately verify the answers provided, the application will be rejected.
COMPLETING AN APPLICATION
A complete National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program Online Application consists
of:
(1) Online application, including the electronic employment verification (completed by
the site point of contact);
(2) Required supporting documentation; and
(3) Additional supplemental documentation (if applicable).
The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program will not accept requests to update
a submitted application or permit the submission/ resubmission of incomplete, rejected, or
otherwise delayed application materials after the deadline. In addition, National Health Service
Corps Loan Repayment Program staff will not fill in any missing information or contact
applicants regarding missing information.
Online Application
Applicants are required to complete each of the sections below to be able to submit an online
application.
(1) National Health Service Corps Eligibility. If an individual does not pass the initial
screening portion of the online application, they will not be able to continue with the
application. Refer to the Required Credentials for Eligible Disciplines section of the
Guidance for further details.
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(2) Program Eligibility. Answers to this section will determine the National Health
Service Corps Loan Repayment Program that is optimal for you to apply for an
award.
(3) General Information. Answers to this section pertain to the applicant’s name, social
security number, mailing and email addresses, and other contact information.
Answers also pertain to individual background.
(4) Discipline, Training and Certification. Answers to this section pertain to the
applicant’s education, training, and licensure/certification.
(5) Employment. In this section, applicants will select the National Health Service Corps
approved service site(s) where they are providing or will provide direct clinical care.
If any of the service sites are not listed in the search results, applicants are required
to select the option below the search tool, which states to “Click this box if your site
is not listed in the search results.” The applicant must confirm that the address
selected or entered in the search box is an exact match to the street and suite
number of their service site(s). If selected, the applicant is provided instructions on
how to resolve the site concern. The National Health Service Corps is no longer
accepting Site Applications. If any of the sites where the applicant provides care are
not currently a National Health Service Corps-approved service site, the provider is
not eligible.
(6) Employment Verification. Once an applicant selects the National Health Service
Corps-approved service site(s) at which they are or will be working, the applicant will
need to initiate an electronic Employment Verification. Once initiated, the
designated Point(s) of Contact at the National Health Service Corps-approved service
site will be notified electronically through the Bureau of Health Workforce Customer
Service Portal that an Employment Verification has been requested by the applicant.
Once completed by the site(s) Point(s) of Contact, the applicant will be notified. The
site must complete the electronic Employment Verification before an applicant will
be allowed to submit the application. If an Employment Verification is not submitted
by every site identified by the applicant, the application cannot be submitted. It is
the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the Employment Verification is
completed by the site Point of Contact. The National Health Service Corps will make
no exceptions.
NOTE: When serving at an Indian Health Service Hospital or Critical Access Hospital
all applicants must include the hospital-affiliated outpatient clinic in their
application. This allows the National Health Service Corps to verify that all service
requirements are met at the time of submission.
Applicants who work at more than one site (e.g., several satellite clinics) must include all
service locations by selecting from the drop-down menu and initiating an electronic
Employment Verification for each site when completing the loan repayment program
application. Selecting a site where the applicant is not providing direct clinical care will
disqualify the application. Applicants must provide the exact address, including any
applicable suite number, of each service site where they work or intend to work.
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For the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, the site point of contact is
the National Health Service Corps on-site official who has agreed to and is qualified to
perform the applicant’s initial employment verification, as well as the participant’s In-
Service Verifications – including verification that the participant is meeting their service
obligations – throughout the obligated service period. Once initiated by the applicant, the
point of contact must complete the online Employment Verification. If an applicant is
working at multiple sites, each Employment Verification should reflect the hours worked at
each site. The total hours from all the Employment Verifications must total 40 hours weekly
for full-time employment and 20 hours weekly for half-time employment. After the site
point of contact completes the Employment Verification, the applicant must submit the
complete application by the May 9, 2024, 7:30 p.m. ET. application deadline.
The point of contact will receive periodic reminders to complete the Employment
Verification; however, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the Employment
Verification is complete and accurate, within a timeframe that will allow submission of the
National Health Service Corps application by the application deadline. The applicant will
receive notification through the Bureau of Health Workforce Customer Service Portal that
the point of contact has completed the Employment Verification and should work to
complete and submit the application as soon as possible. The applicant must contact the
point of contact to resolve any concerns regarding the responses provided on the
Employment Verification.
Applicants will have the ability to edit their application prior to the application submission
deadline and initiate a new Employment Verification if necessary (e.g., the site mistakenly
stated that the applicant was not employed at the site or that the start work date is later
than July 18, 2024). However, the site must complete the corrected Employment
Verification before the applicant can resubmit the application, which must be done before
the application deadline. The resubmitted application with corrected Employment
Verification must be received by the May 9, 2024, deadline or the applicant will be ineligible
for an award. Errors made by applicants and/or site point of contact cannot be corrected
after the application deadline.
Most National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program participants are employees or
independent contractors of non-federal facilities in or serving Health Professional Shortage
Areas that have been approved by the National Health Service Corps for performance of the
service obligation. Employment contract negotiations are solely the responsibility of the
clinician and are between the clinician and the service site. The National Health Service
Corps strongly discourages service sites from considering the loan repayment funds as
income to the clinician when negotiating the clinician’s salary. The terms of the employment
contract should be carefully reviewed and fully understood by the clinician before the
employment contract is signed. Applicants may want to seek legal guidance from private
counsel before entering into an employment contract.
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It is important to remember that the participant’s service contract with the National Health
Service Corps Loan Repayment Program is separate and independent from the participant’s
employment contract with the service site. The National Health Service Corps Loan
Repayment Program requires a participant to work a specified minimum number of hours
per week (as outlined below). If the participant’s employment contract stipulates fewer
hours (and their salary is based on those hours), the participant is still required to meet the
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program service obligation requirements.
The participant’s site point of contact must verify (1) the participant’s total work hours (paid
and unpaid) and (2) National Health Service Corps full-time or half-time work status (see the
Service Verification section) every six months during their period of obligated service.
(7) Loan Information. Answers in this section pertain to each qualifying educational loan
for which an applicant is seeking repayment. All loans submitted will be verified to
determine whether they are eligible for repayment under the National Health
Service Corps Loan Repayment Program through a review of the supporting
documents, by contacting lenders/holders, and by checking the applicant’s credit
report. Applicants are strongly encouraged to view the link provided in the
application for detailed instructions on the types of documents that need to be
provided to help the National Health Service Corps verify loan information.
Applying for Spanish Language Award Enhancement.
National Health Service Corps applicants interested in the one-time supplemental award
enhancement must exhibit Spanish language proficiency. In addition, the applicant’s site point
of contact must verify on the employment verification form that the applicant directly provides
oral Spanish speaking services to patients with limited English proficiency.
Once the application cycle has closed, applicants that were determined eligible will receive an
e-mail with detailed instructions on how to access and take a verbal proficiency language skills
assessment. The assessment can take up to 30 minutes. The applicant must score a 3+ on the
assessment to be eligible to receive the one-time supplemental award enhancement.
Proficiency assessment results will be auto generated into the applicant’s application.
The National Health Service Corps will provide a one-time Spanish language award
enhancement for eligible applicants of up to $5,000, in addition to their base loan repayment
award. The amount of the enhancement will depend on the amount of the applicant’s
outstanding qualifying loans balance and will only be awarded if the applicant’s outstanding
qualifying loans balance is greater than the applicant’s base National Health Service Corps Loan
Repayment Program award.
Required Supporting Documentation
It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide/upload supporting documentation into the online
application. All information in the supporting documentation must match answers provided in
the online application or the application will be deemed ineligible. An application will not be
considered complete, and an applicant may not submit an application, unless it contains each
of the following required supporting documents:
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(1) Proof of Status as a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National. This can be a copy of a birth
certificate, the identification page of a current U.S. passport, or a certificate of
citizenship or naturalization. Copies of a driver’s license or a Social Security card are
NOT acceptable documents.
(2) Health Professional License. Applicants will be required to submit proof of their
current, full, permanent, unencumbered, unrestricted health professional license,
certificate, or registration (whichever is applicable), with an expiration date, in the
state in which they intend to practice under the National Health Service Corps Loan
Repayment Program or from any state if practicing in a federal facility.
(3) Loan Information Verification. Applicants will be required to provide two types of
documentation for each loan that is being submitted for consideration: (a) an
account statement and (b) a disbursement report.
a. Account Statement. This document provides current information on qualifying
educational loans. Often borrowers receive monthly statements indicating the
status of their loan balance. This document should:
i. be on official letterhead or other clear verification that it comes from the
lender/holder;
ii. include the name of the borrower (i.e., the National Health Service Corps
Loan Repayment Program applicant);
iii. contain the account number;
iv. include the date of the statement (cannot be more than 30 days from the
date of Loan Repayment Program application submission);
v. include the current outstanding balance (principal and interest) or the
current payoff balance; and
vi. include the current interest rate.
b. Disbursement Report. This report is used to verify the originating loan
information and should:
i. be on official letterhead or other clear verification that it comes from the
lender/holder;
ii. include the name of the borrower;
iii. contain the account number;
iv. include the type of loan;
v. include the original loan date (must be prior to the date of the National
Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program application submission);
vi. include the original loan amount; and
vii. include the purpose of the loan.
NOTE: For all federal loans, the Student Aid Summary report on the Federal
Student Aid website is used to verify the originating loan information. The
applicant will need a Federal Student Aid Identification to log in to their
secured area—create a Federal Student Aid Identification on the Federal
Student Aid website. If the applicant has multiple federal loans, they will only
need to access one Student Aid Summary report. The Student Aid Summary
report will contain information on all their federal loans.
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For all other loans, the disbursement report can be satisfied through various
types of documents including a promissory note, a disclosure statement, and
letters directly from the lender containing the required information (as
indicated in (b) above). The applicant may be able to obtain this disbursement
information on their lender’s website; however, all documentation must be on
official letterhead from the lender.
Additional Supplemental Documentation (if applicable)
The following additional documents will be required for submission only if the applicant’s
responses on the online application indicate that they are relevant. Only applicants who have
these documents listed on their “Supporting Documents” page of the online application should
submit them. These documents will be added to their Supporting Documents list once the
online application has been submitted.
(1) Primary Care Specialty Certification. If an applicant selects a primary care medical, oral,
mental, or maternal health specialty, they will be required to upload a copy of the
certificate of completion or diploma from the training program where they
matriculated.
(2) Postgraduate Training Verification. This document verifies that the applicant completed
the Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program, Advanced Nursing Education Nurse
Practitioner Residency Program, or the Advanced Nursing Education Nurse Practitioner
Residency Integration Program or The Graduate Psychology Education Program. This
documentation is in addition to the postgraduate training related to the applicant’s
practice area. Such documentation may include an official completion certificate.
(3) Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Identification Number. Applicants
who have completed a postgraduate medical or dental training program funded by the
Health Resources and Services Administration through the Teaching Health Center
Graduate Medical Education Program are required to submit the residency identification
number and residency completion certificate, if available. Use the Accreditation Council for
Graduate Medical Education or The Commission on Dental Accreditation websites to look
up your program identification number.
(4) Verification of Disadvantaged Background. This document certifies that the applicant
comes from a disadvantaged background and either participated in, or would have been
eligible to participate in, federal programs such as Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students
or Loans to Disadvantaged Students. This document may be completed by a school official.
Applicants may also self-attest to having a disadvantaged background based on
environmental and/or economic factors or having received a federal Exceptional Financial
Need Scholarship by uploading a document that validates that they meet the criteria
included on the National Health Service Corps-approved Disadvantaged Background Form
(Federal student aid report, etc.).
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(5) Verification of Existing Service Obligation. If the applicant has an existing service
obligation, they must submit verification from the entity to which the obligation is owed
that the existing service obligation will be completed before the applicable deadline, as
described in the Selection Factors section.
(6) Proof of Name Change. Applicants will be required to provide legal documents
(marriage license or divorce decree) if the name on the proof of citizenship document is
different from the name in the application.
(7) Payment History. Former National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program and
Students to Service Loan Repayment Program participants seeking a new two-year Loan
Repayment Program award must provide verification that all previous National Health
Service Corps Loan Repayment Program funds were used to repay the approved
qualifying educational loans as part of the applicant’s most recent National Health
Service Corps Loan Repayment Program contract. Generally, this information is in the
form of a payment history, which varies in name (i.e., Payment History, Financial
Activity Summary, or Transaction History Report) that is provided by the lender servicer
for each of the approved loans. The verification document must be uploaded to the
application and clearly show that the entire award amount was applied to the approved
loans during the most recent National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program
service period. Documentation requirements include the following:
a. An official document or printed webpage that includes the lender’s name, the
account holder’s name, the loan account number, and must reflect all
payments made during the contract period.
b. The payment history must show that all National Health Service Corps Loan
Repayment Program funds received have been paid toward their qualifying
educational loans that were approved by the National Health Service Corps
with the most recent contract.
c. For loans consolidated during the most recent contract period, loan
documents, including the lending institution’s list of the loans included in the
consolidation and their original disbursement dates, are required. If the
applicant’s loans were consolidated and the National Health Service Corps does
not receive an itemized loan list, the applicant will not be given credit for
payments made toward those loans. If the applicant consolidated their
qualifying educational loans with non-qualifying debt, the National Health
Service Corps cannot give credit for payments made toward the consolidated
loans.
NOTE: Cancelled checks, bank statements, and “Paid in Full letters” will not be
accepted as proof that loan payments were properly applied.
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Application Review and Award Process
Applicants receive a receipt in the form of a submission pop-up immediately upon submitting
the online application. Applicants can view the overall status of their application, as well as a
copy (.pdf) of their submitted application, uploaded supporting documents, and completed
Employment Verifications by logging into the application account that was set up when the
applicant registered to apply. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the entirety of
the application and required supporting documents (including Employment Verifications) and
applicable supplemental documents are accurately submitted.
Once the online application has been submitted, applicants will have an opportunity to make
edits to their online application, including the ability to upload new documents, cancel and
reinitiate employment verifications, change answers to questions and loan data, and withdraw
their applications from consideration. The applicant must make final edits and resubmissions
before the close of the application cycle (May 9, 2024, and 7:30 p.m. ET).
Each time the application is reopened for editing, or to check specific elements of the
application, the applicant must: 1) complete the “Self-Certifications” section, and 2) click the
“Submit” button to resubmit their application, or the application will not be submitted. The
National Health Service Corps advises that applicants submit their complete applications as
early in the open application period as possible. Applicants who wait until the end of the
application cycle risk submitting incomplete or ineligible applications if errors are found later
during the open application cycle.
The “Edit” option is available in the applicant’s account on the “Submitted” page, until the close
of the application cycle. The ability to edit and resubmit an application will be disabled after the
application deadline. Applications not resubmitted by this deadline will not be considered for
an award. No exceptions will be made in cases where an applicant fails to resubmit an edited
application.
Applicants may withdraw their application at any time prior to the contract being
countersigned by the Secretary or their designee. To withdraw, applicants must log into their
application account, and select the “Withdraw” option on the “Submitted” page.
The National Health Service Corps will not begin to review applications for funding until the
application deadline (May 9, 2024, and 7:30 p.m. ET) has passed (see the Funding Priorities
section).
If review of the electronic Employment Verification indicates that the applicant’s position would
be identified as a Private Practice Option (see the Practice Agreement Types section), the
applicant will electronically certify a Private Practice Option Request, as required by law. In
addition, the applicant will e-sign the Private Practice Option Agreement, also required by law,
which sets forth the requirements and limitations for a Private Practice Option. If the individual
is selected for an award and the National Health Service Corps determines that the practice
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meets Private Practice Option requirements, the Secretary or their designee will countersign
the Private Practice Option Agreement.
All participants must notify the National Health Service Corps of changes in personal
information. Applicants and participants must provide the National Health Service Corps with
notification of any changes to their contact information (e.g., name change, email, mailing
address, or telephone number) prior to the change occurring, if possible, or immediately after
the change occurs. Applicants can manage their contact information through their online
application account on the “Account Settings” page. Once an applicant becomes a participant,
they will be provided with information for logging into the Bureau of Health Workforce
Customer Service Portal to make any necessary updates to their information.
CONFIRMATION OF INTEREST
The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program frequently corresponds with
applicants by email. Applicants should check their email during the application process for
correspondence from the National Health Service Corps office and disable spam blockers (or
check their spam folder).
Applicants selected as finalists will receive a Confirmation of Interest email with instructions to
sign and return the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program contract and to
provide banking information to confirm their continued interest in the program and to facilitate
the electronic transfer of the award funds, if their contract is countersigned by the Secretary (or
designee) and funds are awarded.
Award finalists must log into their application account to confirm their continued interest in
receiving an award by the given deadline. The applicant will sign the National Health Service
Corps Loan Repayment Program contract and must verify the following:
• They are currently employed by (i.e., are already working at) the National Health Service
Corps-approved service site(s) they selected when they submitted their application.
Applicants who are not employed at the site(s) verified by the National Health Service
Corps, must check “NO” where asked.
• They are currently meeting and will, to the best of their knowledge, continue to meet
the clinical practice requirements for their discipline and specialty, as outlined in this
Application and Program Guidance, throughout the period of obligated service.
• The loans approved by the National Health Service Corps for repayment are correct.
• The loan and employment information provided to the National Health Service Corps on
their application remains valid.
• They have read and understand the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment
Program contract.
Finalists must also provide their direct deposit banking information for award funds in the
event the Secretary (or designee) countersigns their National Health Service Corps Loan
Repayment Program contract.
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This Confirmation of Interest is not a guarantee that the individual will receive an award, as
awards are subject to the availability of funds.
If an applicant does not complete the Confirmation of Interest process by the deadline, they
may be withdrawn from consideration and (if interested in participating in the program) will be
required to submit a new application during a future application cycle for first-time participants
and compete with other providers based on program requirements in effect at that time.
If an individual selected for an award decides not to accept the award prior to signing the
contract, they may decline the award by selecting the “decline” option on the Confirmation of
Interest document. This process is without penalty and permits the award to be offered to an
alternate. Once an applicant declines the offer of award, there will not be any opportunities to
reclaim the award.
All participants will receive final notification of an award, including the service obligation dates,
no later than September 30, 2024.
THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE CORPS LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM CONTRACT
Only the Secretary or their designee can grant a National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment
Program award. Awards cannot be guaranteed or granted by the service site personnel,
National Health Service Corps staff, a Primary Care Office, a Primary Care Association or any
other person or entity.
The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program contract becomes effective and
the participant’s National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program service obligation
begins on the date the contract is countersigned by the Secretary or their designee, which is
anticipated on or before September 30, 2024, although the contract can be countersigned at
any time. An applicant’s signature alone on the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment
Program contract document does not constitute a contractual agreement.
RECEIVING YOUR AWARD
Once the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program contract becomes effective,
the applicant (now participant) will be provided with information for logging into the Bureau of
Health Workforce Customer Service Portal. This web-based system will allow each National
Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program participant to communicate with the National
Health Service Corps and manage several customer service inquiries, such as contact
information changes.
The award letter for the participant is located in the participant’s profile on the Bureau of
Health Workforce Customer Service Portal. The award letter will note the beginning and
projected end dates of the service obligation (see the Completing an Application section for
details).
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Award funds are disbursed in the form of a one-time lump sum payment and will be
electronically issued to the bank account provided by the participant approximately 90 days
after the contract start date. Where the award amount is less than the maximum amount set
forth in this Guidance, the payment will be calculated to include interest accrued during the
period between the contract start date and the disbursement of funds.
NOTE: Under the Treasury Offset Program, the Treasury Department is authorized to offset
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program payments for delinquent federal and
state debts, including delinquent child support payments.
Once a contract is in place, the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program
participant is required to participate in a New National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment
Program Awardee webinar that will review program requirements. Participants will be notified
by email of upcoming webinars and other training opportunities.
Additional Information
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT
The purpose of this information collection is to obtain information through the National Health
Service Corps Loan Repayment Program that is used to assess a Loan Repayment Program
applicant’s eligibility and qualifications for the Loan Repayment Program, or for National Health
Service Corps
Site Application and Recertification purposes. Clinicians interested in
participating in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program must submit an
application to the National Health Service Corps. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a
person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently
valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for this information collection is 0915-
0127 and it is valid until 03/31/2026. This information collection is required to obtain or retain a
benefit (Section 338B of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. § 254l-1]). Public reporting
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.49 hours per response,
including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, and completing
and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or
any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this
burden, to HRSA Reports Clearance Officer, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 14N136B, Rockville,
Maryland, 20857.
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RESOURCES FOR APPLICANTS
Glossary
See the Appendix for a glossary of terms, which contains the general definitions for Bureau of
Health Workforce terms used throughout this Guidance.
Bureau of Health Workforce Customer Service Portal
Once an applicant has been selected for an award, they will be provided with instructions for
establishing a Bureau of Health Workforce Customer Service Portal account. The system allows
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program participants to access pertinent
program materials and their participant profile, make service requests, and to communicate
with the National Health Service Corps directly.
Customer Care Center
Any individual with questions about National Health Service Corps programs may contact the
Customer Care Center Monday through Friday (except federal holidays) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
ET.
• 1-800-221-9393
• TTY: 1-877-897-9910
Health Professional Shortage Area Find
All National Health Service Corps participants must serve at a National Health Service Corps-
approved site in a Health Professional Shortage Area appropriate to their discipline, as noted
above. You may find the locations of current Health Professional Shortage Areas by using the
following tools:
• Health Professional Shortage Area Find
• Find Shortage Areas by Address
Health Workforce Connector
A searchable database of open job opportunities and information, including National Health
Service Corps-approved substance use disorder treatment facilities.
National Health Service Corps Website and Social Media
Stay informed with National Health Service Corps updates via its website and email signup.
(NOTE: You should send specific questions or issues regarding your service obligation to the
Bureau of Health Workforce Customer Service Portal.
• National Health Service Corps website
• National Health Service Corps Email Signup
Like and follow us on social media:
• National Health Service Corps Facebook
• National Health Service Corps X (Twitter)
• National Health Service Corps LinkedIn
