Minnesota Healthcare Loan Forgiveness Programs
Minnesota Healthcare Loan Forgiveness Programs support healthcare professionals through educational loan repayment to recruit and retain staff in Minnesota areas and facilities facing care shortages.
Funder: Minnesota Department of Health
Due Dates: October 6, 2026 (Hospital registered nurses) | January 6, 2027 (Other eligible professions)
Funding Amounts: $6,000–$41,000 annually, with two- to four-year participation depending on profession
Summary: Educational loan forgiveness supports healthcare professionals serving high-need areas and facilities in Minnesota, rather than research projects.
Key Information: Participants must live in Minnesota throughout their service contract and cannot combine other loan repayment programs except PSLF.
Description
The Minnesota Healthcare Loan Forgiveness Programs recruit and retain healthcare professionals in areas and facilities experiencing shortages of access to care. Administered by the Minnesota Department of Health’s Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC) and funded by the State of Minnesota, these programs repay qualifying educational loans in exchange for a service commitment.
The portfolio covers dental care, mental health, physicians, advanced practice providers, pharmacy, nursing, and nurse faculty. Eligibility depends on the profession, practice setting, location, and service requirements. Rural and underserved urban tracks address different community needs, while nursing tracks support hospital care, long-term care, public health, and teaching. Selection is competitive and depends on available state funding.
