Licensure Mobility
 

Legacy of Excellence
 


 


Loan Repayment from Federal Government
for practicing in designated underserved areas

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) offers this to 
health service psychologists.  Go to http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/

One list serve answer: I'm in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. I have nothing but positive things to say about it.  They paid off all my loans (35K) that I accumulated during grad school. They would pay 50K for 2 years, and then can be renewed for two years at 35K per year.  Once I received the contract, the actual burden on me has been very minor (paperwork required every 6 months). It was a bit of effort gathering all the paperwork required to apply, particularly if your site does not already have a HPSA score. But 30-50 hours work for all my loans paid off is well worth it! I've never made that much money per hour of work...

I have heard that more recently they have been getting more applicants than funding spots, so it is getting more difficult to get funded. However, if you're in a community mental health center with a high HPSA score, you've got a very good chance of getting funded. The NHSC Loan Repayment Program is a great way to work in the public sector (which often does not pay as well as other locations) and get your loans paid off!

To qualify, you must be licensed to practice psychology independently at the time that you apply and you will need to submit a copy of your license with your application.

The APA early career page has links and descriptions of different loan repayment programs at http://www.apa.org/earlycareer/funding.html. In particular, see the following documents on this page:

    1. “Federal Training Options for Psychologists”
    2. “Got loans? Understanding the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program”
    3. “Serve the Underserved, Pay off Unpaid Loans”

And explore: http://www.apa.org/ppo/funding/atoz.html

 

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Updated: 8/15/2007

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