Nurses perform a crucial role across the country — providing essential health care to those who need it most, day in and day out.
Because of their commitment to the well-being of our communities, they deserve a break from student loan debt. And states throughout the U.S. agree.
If you’re a nurse with student debt, knowing which states offer significant student loan relief can play a major role in deciding where to pursue your career.
To help you get the most support with student loan payments, here’s the ultimate list of nurse loan repayment programs — state-by-state.
Need even more help with your federal or private student loan debt? If your state’s program isn’t enough, student loan refinancing could be another smart solution. Compare the best rates and terms from multiple well-known lenders to find the right fit for you.
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Alabama
Program: Advanced Practice Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: Alabama residents who are pursuing graduate degrees to become certified registered nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, or certified nurse anesthetists.
Student Loan Relief: You can receive up to $15,000 to help with student loan debt. In return, you must work for 18 months in an area of critical need.
More Information: Alabama Board of Nursing
Alaska
Program: SHARP Program
Eligibility: Work in Alaska in a designated Health Professional Shortage Area for at least two years for an eligible employer.
Student Loan Relief: You can receive between $20,000 and $47,000 in student loan repayment assistance, but you can extend your contract and get additional assistance if needed.
More Information: SHARP
Arizona
Program: Arizona Department of Health Services Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: You must agree to work for an eligible employer in Arizona for at least two years.
Student Loan Relief: Arizona nurses can receive between $8,000 and $50,000 in loan repayment assistance, but can continue in the program and receive additional assistance for extra years of service.
More Information: Arizona Department of Health Services
California
Program: Bachelor of Science Nursing Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: If you receive the award, you must work for at least one year practicing direct patient care in a qualified center in California.
Student Loan Relief: Registered nurses in California can receive up to $10,000 in student loan repayment assistance. You can receive the award up to three times, giving you a total of $30,000 in repayment assistance.
More Information: Bachelor of Science Nursing Loan Repayment Program
Colorado
Program: Nurse Faculty Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: Must have a master’s degree in nursing, be licensed to practice in Colorado, and be employed either part-time or full-time as a nurse faculty member at an eligible school of nursing.
Student Loan Relief: You can receive up to $40,000 in loan repayment assistance in return for a two-year service commitment. Both federal and private loans are eligible
More Information: Nurse Faculty Loan Repayment Program
Delaware
Program: State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
Eligibility: Certified nurse midwives, registered nurses, and nurse practitioners can qualify if you agree to serve at least two years in a designated Health Professionals Shortage Area.
Student Loan Relief: You could get up to $60,000 to repay your loans.
More Information: Delaware SLRP
District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.)
Program: Health Professionals Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: Registered nurses and advanced practice nurses who work full-time at a qualifying facility in a medically underserved area or Health Professionals Shortage Area.
Student Loan Relief: You can receive up to $83,510.61 in four years in loan repayment assistance.
More Information: Health Professionals Loan Repayment Program
Florida
Program: Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness Program
Eligibility: Nurses employed in areas where there is a critical nursing shortage.
Student Loan Relief: Up to $4,000 per year in loan repayment assistance, up to a maximum of four years.
More Information: Florida Department of Education
Georgia
Program: Georgia Loan Repayment Assistance
Eligibility: Advanced practice registered nurses who agree to practice full-time in rural counties in Georgia with a population of 50,000 or less.
Student Loan Relief: Up to $10,000 per year in loan repayment assistance. Contracts are awarded for one year and can be reneup to three times.
More Information: Georgia Board of Healthcare Workers
Hawaii
Program: State Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: Registered nurses and nurse practitioners who work in a non-profit or public facility in a Health Professionals Shortage Area for at least two years.
Student Loan Relief: The amount of repayment assistance you can receive is dependent on the program’s funding, which changes from year to year.
More Information: Hawaii State Loan Repayment Program
Illinois
Program: Nurse Educator Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: Nurse educators who work within the state in an eligible facility.
Student Loan Relief: You can receive up to $5,000 per year in loan repayment assistance, up to a maximum of four years.
More Information: Illinois Nurse Educator Loan Repayment Program
Indiana
Program: Health Care Professional Recruitment and Retention Fund Program
Eligibility: Nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, registered nurses, and psychiatric nurse specialists who sign up for a two-year service commitment in an underserved area.
Student Loan Relief: You can get up to $20,000 in repayment assistance with your student loans.
More Information: Indiana State Department of Health
Iowa
Program: Health Care Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: You are a registered nurse or advanced registered nurse practitioner and agree to work-full time in a service commitment area for at least five years. Or, you are a nurse educator teaching full-time at an eligible university.
Student Loan Relief: You can receive up to $6,000 per year in student loan repayment assistance. Only federal loans are eligible for this program.
More Information: Health Care Loan Repayment Program
Kansas
Program: Kansas State Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: Nurse practitioners, psychiatric nurse specialists, and certified nurse midwives who work for at least two years in a Health Professionals Shortage Area.
Student Loan Relief: You can receive up to $70,000 in student loan repayment assistance, but you can work additional years and receive extra loan assistance if needed.
More Information: Kansas State Loan Repayment Program
Kentucky
Program: State Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: Nurses who work for at least two years at an eligible site in Kentucky.
Student Loan Relief: Loan assistance through the program is based on a matching system; for every dollar provided by the state, you must have a sponsor — such as an employer or community organization — that matches their contributions. Through the program, you can get up to $40,000 in loan repayment assistance.
More Information: Kentucky State Loan Repayment Program
Louisiana
Program: State Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: Certified nurse practitioners and nurse midwives who serve for at least three years in an eligible site in a Health Professionals Shortage Area.
Student Loan Relief: You can receive up to $15,000 per year for up to three years.
More Information: Louisiana State Loan Repayment Program
Maine
Program: Health Professions Loan Forgiveness Program
Eligibility: You must serve in a Health Professionals Shortage Area.
Student Loan Relief: You could get up to 50 percent of your loans forgiven for each year you’re eligible for the program.
More Information: Finance Authority of Maine
Maryland
Program: Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program
Eligibility: Registered nurses who work for Maryland state, local government, or nonprofit organizations that serve low income or underserved residents. Registered nurses — but not school nurses — must work full-time for a qualifying employer, and your salary cannot exceed $60,000.
Student Loan Relief: Recipients can receive up to $10,000 per year in repayment assistance.
More Information: Maryland Higher Education Commission
Massachusetts
Program: State Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: Nurses who commit to working for at least two years in a community health center.
Student Loan Relief: You can receive up to $25,000 per year in loan repayment assistance.
More Information: Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
Michigan
Program: Michigan State Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: You must agree to work a two-year term at a non-profit health clinic in a Health Professional Shortage Area.
Student Loan Relief: You can get up to $200,000 over eight years in loan repayment assistance.
More Information: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Minnesota
Program: Minnesota Health Care Loan Forgiveness
Eligibility: Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who work for at least two years in a nursing home, housing with services established, home care, intermediate Care Facility, or hospital if it owns and operates a nursing home.
Student Loan Relief: You can get up to $5,000 per year of service in loan repayment assistance.
More Information: Minnesota Department of Health
Missouri
Program: Missouri State Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: The minimum service obligation is two years working full-time at any hospital or facility in a Health Professionals Shortage Area. Only registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and family nurse practitioners are eligible; licensed practical nurses do not qualify.
Student Loan Relief: Eligible nurses can receive up to $20,000 per year in loan repayment assistance.
More Information: Missouri State Loan Repayment Program
Montana
Program: Montana State Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: Nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists who work for a qualifying site in a Health Professional Shortage Area for at least two years.
Student Loan Relief: You can get up to $15,000 per year to help with your loans.
More Information: Montana State Loan Repayment Program
Nebraska
Program: Nebraska State Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: You must make a service commitment to work in a Health Professionals Shortage Area, and you must find an entity — such as an employer or non-profit organization — to match the state funds.
Student Loan Relief: Eligible nurses can receive up to $100,000 in loan repayment assistance.
More Information: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
New Hampshire
Program: State Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: You must agree to work for three years in an underserved area. Only certified nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists are eligible.
Student Loan Relief: You can get up to $45,000 in repayment assistance.
More Information: New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
New Jersey
Program: Nursing Faculty Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: You must work full-time as a faculty member at an eligible school of nursing in New Jersey for at least five years and have received an approved graduate degree.
Student Loan Relief: The amount of the award is dependent on program funding and can vary from year to year.
More Information: Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
New Mexico
Program: Health Professional Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: Nurse practitioners and advanced practice nurses can get help with their student loans in return for a two-year service commitment.
Student Loan Relief: The amount of the award is dependent on funding and can vary from year to year.
More Information: New Mexico Higher Education Department
New York
Program: Nursing Faculty Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program
Eligibility: Nursing faculty members and adjunct clinical faculty members who are employed at a New York nursing school.
Student Loan Relief: Eligible recipients can get up to $8,000 per year in repayment assistance, up to a maximum of $40,000.
More Information: New York State
North Carolina
Program: North Carolina State Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: Nurse practitioners, mental health nurse practitioners, and psychiatric nurse specialists who work for an employer in a Health Professionals Shortage Area for at least two years.
Student Loan Relief: Recipients can receive up to $50,000 in repayment assistance.
More Information: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
North Dakota
Program: North Dakota Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: Advanced practice registered nurses who make a 12-month service commitment to work for an eligible employer.
Student Loan Relief: Nurses can receive up to $4,000 per year — up to $20,000 over five years.
More Information: North Dakota Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program
Ohio
Program: Nurse Education Assistance Program for Future Nurses
Eligibility: You must work for at least five years as a full-time nurse in Ohio to qualify for full loan cancellation.
Student Loan Relief: If you intend to work as a nurse after you graduate, you could receive up to $1,620 per year in assistance.
More Information: Ohio Higher Ed
Program: Nurse Education Assistance Program for Future Nursing Instructors
Eligibility: You must work as a nurse faculty member in Ohio for four years to qualify for full loan cancellation.
Student Loan Relief: If you plan on becoming a nursing faculty member after graduation, you could receive up to $6,000 per year in assistance.
More Information: Ohio Higher Ed
Oregon
Program: Oregon Loan Repayment Assistance
Eligibility: Nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists who accept a two-year service commitment in an underserved area.
Student Loan Relief: You may qualify for up to $35,000 per year in loan repayment assistance.
More Information: Oregon Office of Rural Health
Pennsylvania
Program: Primary Care Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: Nurse practitioners and nurse midwives who work for at least two years in an underserved area.
Student Loan Relief: You could receive up to $60,000 in loan repayment assistance.
More Information: Pennsylvania Department of Health
Rhode Island
Program: Rhode Island Health Professional Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: Nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, psychiatric nurse specialists, and registered nurses who agree to a two-year service commitment working in an underserved area.
Student Loan Relief: The award is dependent on program funding and can vary from year to year.
More Information: Rhode Island Department of Health
South Carolina
Program: Rural Practice Loan Forgiveness Program
Eligibility: Advanced practice registered nurses who agree to serve in an underserved rural area for at least three years.
Student Loan Relief: You can receive up to $15,000 per year in repayment assistance, up to a maximum of $30,000.
More Information: South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium
South Dakota
Program: Recruitment Assistance Program
Eligibility: Nurse practitioners and nurse midwives who agree to work at an eligible employer for at least three years.
Student Loan Relief: Participants can receive up to $66,819 in repayment assistance.
More Information: South Dakota Department of Health
Tennessee
Program: State Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: Advanced practice nurses, psychiatric nurse specialists, and nurse midwives who work for an eligible employer in a Health Professionals Shortage Area for at least two years.
Student Loan Relief: You can receive up to $50,000 in student loan support.
More Information: Tennessee Department of Health
Vermont
Program: Educational Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: You must work at least 20 hours per week in a nurse workforce shortage area for at least 12 months to qualify.
Student Loan Relief: Eligible nurses can receive up to $6,000 per year to help with their loans.
More Information: Vermont Educational Loan Repayment Program
Virginia
Program: State Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: Nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists who agree to a two-year service commitment.
Student Loan Relief: Eligible nurses can receive up to $100,000 in repayment assistance.
More Information: Virginia Department of Health
Washington
Program: State Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: To qualify, you must work at an approved site in a critical shortage area.
Student Loan Relief: Eligible nurses can receive up to $75,000 in repayment assistance over three years.
More Information: Washington Student Achievement Council
West Virginia
Program: West Virginia State Loan Repayment Program
Eligibility: Nurse practitioners and nurse midwives who work in an underserved area for a non-profit employer can qualify.
Student Loan Relief: You can get up to $40,000 in repayment assistance in return for a two-year commitment.
More Information: West Virginia Primary Care Association
Wisconsin
Program: Wisconsin Health Professional Loan Assistance Program
Eligibility: Nurse practitioners and nurse midwives who commit to working for an eligible employer in an underserved area.
Student Loan Relief: You can receive up to $25,000 over three years.
More Information: Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Wyoming
Program: Wyoming Repayment Assistance
Eligibility: Nurse practitioners and certified nurse-midwives who agree to work full-time for two years an approved site.
Student Loan Relief: You can receive up to $20,000 in repayment assistance.
More Information: Wyoming Department of Health
