If you're interested in a health care career but worried about the cost of school, the federal government offers programs that pay for training or repay student loans in exchange for working in communities that need more health care providers. They're run by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Main programs
- National Health Service Corps (NHSC): scholarships for students in primary care fields, and loan repayment for licensed doctors, nurse practitioners, dentists, mental health providers, and others who work at approved sites in areas with provider shortages.
- Nurse Corps: scholarships for nursing students and loan repayment for registered nurses and nurse faculty who work in critical shortage facilities.
- School-based programs: many health professions schools offer federally funded scholarships and low-interest loans. Ask your school's financial aid office.
These programs require a service commitment, usually two or more years, so read the terms carefully. Application periods open once a year, and spots are competitive.
Explore HRSA health workforce funding
For other ways to pay for school, see Federal Student Aid and Search for Scholarships.