State Nurse Loan Forgiveness Programs

Alabama Board of Nursing loans for students becoming CRNPs, CNMs, or CRNAs. Repaid by working full-time in an Alabama Area of Critical Need — 18 months of service per year of loans received.

Alabama Dept. of Public Health lists the state's NHSC-approved HPSA sites. Work at one to qualify for federal NHSC repayment.

Open to RNs, APRNs, and nurse faculty. Tier and location set the amount; hard-to-fill roles reach the top of the range. 2–3 year commitment, 12-year lifetime cap.

The federally matched track paused for the federal grant cycle; the state said applications reopen July 2026. Check the page for the live window.

AZDHS program for outpatient primary care in Arizona HPSAs. Nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives are eligible disciplines.

Many AZ tribal, Indian Health Service, and federally qualified health center sites qualify for federal NHSC repayment.

The Arkansas Primary Care Office hub for state and federal repayment and scholarship programs open to nurses in rural Arkansas.

Federal loan repayment via NHSC for providers at approved Arkansas HPSA sites.

For licensed RNs giving direct patient care at a qualified California facility. Only a 12-month service obligation — one of the shortest commitments in the country.

The LVN equivalent of the BSNLRP, for direct patient care at a qualified California facility.

Federal/state match for primary care providers in California shortage areas. Administered by HCAI (formerly OSHPD).

For NPs and certified nurse-midwives at qualified rural or underserved sites (CRNAs and CNSs are not eligible). New application rounds typically open in spring.

A separate CDPHE track aimed specifically at providers in Colorado's rural essential-access facilities.

Registered nurses are eligible alongside NPs, CNMs, and psychiatric nurse specialists. Two-year commitment in a Connecticut HPSA; a half-time award of up to $12.5K/yr also exists.

State-funded and aimed at recent advanced-practice graduates — nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives included. Two-year practice commitment in an underserved area.

The federally funded track for primary care, dental, and behavioral health professionals. Minimum two consecutive years, full- or half-time, in a Delaware HPSA.

For licensed nurses working full-time at an eligible Florida facility in a critical-shortage area. Administered by the Florida Dept. of Education's Office of Student Financial Assistance; deadlines have fallen around June 1.

Many Florida FQHCs and rural sites qualify for federal NHSC repayment.

Two state-funded tracks from the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce. APRNs get $10K/yr, renewable up to four years ($40K), for practising in a rural Georgia county under 50,000 people. Nurse faculty get $25K paid over two years. The FY2027 cycle is open September 1 – October 12, 2026, and applications are now filed through an online portal.

The federally matched track run by the Dept. of Community Health for providers at Georgia HPSA sites.

Run by the John A. Burns School of Medicine AHEC. Open to a wide slate of roles including RNs and nurse aides — unusually broad — for a two-year commitment serving Hawai'i patients.

Built specifically for RNs and LPNs in direct care in rural and underserved Idaho. The SFY27 cycle opens October 1, 2026.

The multi-discipline track for nurses, clinicians, and physicians in federally designated Idaho HPSAs.

Now administered by ISAC, not IDPH. Covers practical nursing certificates through graduate nursing degrees, in exchange for an Illinois practice commitment.

Available at Illinois HPSA-designated sites including FQHCs and rural health centers.

For full-time primary care, mental health, or dental service at an Indiana HPSA site — minimum 40 hrs/week, at least 32 of them direct patient care.

Launched in 2026, consolidating five older Iowa programs into one. RNs are eligible for up to a five-year commitment in a high-need area, and awards can be taken as loan payments or as an income bonus.

Tiered and declining: $20K/yr in years 1–2 for NPs, PAs, and CNMs, then $15K, $10K, $5K — roughly $70K across five years. Minimum two-year commitment at a Kansas HPSA site.

Run by the UK Center of Excellence in Rural Health. Tax-free awards of $10K–$40K a year for two years of full-time primary care at an eligible Kentucky site. Note this one is advanced practice — NPs, CNMs, and psychiatric nurse specialists — not staff RNs.

Kentucky Board of Nursing scholarship. The work obligation can be met part-time or full-time anywhere in Kentucky — a rare bit of flexibility.

Administered through Well-Ahead Louisiana. Nurses working full-time at a Louisiana HPSA or nonprofit site qualify.

Run by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) and built for nurses specifically. The cycle closes March 31 and reopens February 1 the following year.

A state-funded track aimed at nurses and nursing support staff — not just advanced practice. The annual application cycle runs March 1 to April 15.

The federally funded track. Eligibility was expanded in 2023 to include certified registered nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives.

Two years full-time, or an extended part-time equivalent, at an eligible Massachusetts site. Award size varies by discipline and never exceeds your loan balance.

A newer, separately funded state program covering behavioral health, primary care, human service, and home health workers.

Launched in 2025 for LPNs and RNs — one of the largest nurse-specific awards anywhere. Paid tax-free over up to 4 years at state psychiatric facilities, or up to 10 years at other eligible sites.

The broader provider program for primary medical, dental, and mental health roles in Michigan HPSAs. The cycle has run March–April.

Four separate nurse tracks: hospital RN and rural public health nurse at $6K/yr, long-term care nurse (RN or LPN), and nurse faculty at $9K/yr. The cycle opens November 1.

The federally matched track for providers in Minnesota HPSAs, run by the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care.

For LPNs and RNs working full-time in a Mississippi nursing home or acute care hospital. Note: the state has said 2026 is the program's final year, awarded first-come, first-served.

Mississippi has a high density of HPSA-designated sites across the Delta region.

A competitive state award for licensed Missouri RNs and advanced practice nurses, with a two-year commitment in a Missouri HPSA. The cycle has run September 1 – November 1.

The federally matched primary care track, listed on the same DHSS hub.

Registered nurses and psychiatric nurse specialists are eligible disciplines. Renewable once, for a four-year total. The 2026 cycle closed in February.

Montana has widespread HPSA designations; many rural and tribal sites qualify.

Two stacked programs. The federally matched track pays RNs with bachelor's-level training up to $25K/yr, capped at four years. The state's own Loan Repayment Program goes up to $90K for non-physician professions in exchange for three years in a rural shortage area. You need a job lined up before applying.

Registered nurses are an eligible discipline alongside NPs and CNMs. Run by the State Office of Rural Health at UNR; applications are accepted July 1 – August 31.

A State Treasurer program — separate from the health department — for professionals committing to underserved Nevada communities.

Primary care RNs sit in Tier 3 at $30K for a 36-month commitment, extendable 24 months for another $10K. Applications are rolling, reviewed quarterly (Mar 15, Jun 15, Sep 15, Dec 15).

Covers certified nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives practicing in a New Jersey underserved area or federal HPSA. Funding depends on state appropriations each year.

For nurses who complete an approved graduate degree and then teach full-time at a New Jersey nursing school for five years.

One of the most heavily funded state programs in the country, run by the Higher Education Department. Over 25 licensure fields qualify, nursing included. The application window has opened June 1 and closed July 31.

A nurse-specific loan repayment program run by NY DOH in funding cycles — watch the department's funding opportunities page for the next solicitation. Note you cannot hold a federal Nurse Corps award at the same time.

A $48.3M program for nurse practitioners and pediatric clinical nurse specialists (among others) who commit four years to serving Medicaid members.

Hundreds of NY FQHCs and rural sites are NHSC-approved.

The active NC route for nursing students — the older Nurse Scholars Program is now inactive. One academic year of loans is forgiven per year of full-time NC employment in a shortage profession.

Many rural and community health center sites in NC qualify for federal repayment.

RNs receive up to $20K in state funds, with a $2K employer match required. Note the long commitment: five years of service.

Administered by the Ohio Department of Higher Education. A need-based forgivable loan for Ohio nursing students, renewable up to four years ($6,000 total). Forgiven at 20% per year of full-time Ohio nursing — five years cancels it entirely.

Ohio has urban and rural HPSA sites that qualify for federal NHSC repayment.

Now run by the Health Care Workforce Training Commission (formerly the Physician Manpower Training Commission). Covers LPN through MSN students, with rural emphasis; NPs get a loan repayment track. Deadline has been July 15 for fall.

Nurse practitioners in primary care, women's health, pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health, or midwifery qualify. Three-year commitment; the program runs two review cycles a year.

State program for primary care providers including NPs and CNMs practicing in Pennsylvania HPSAs.

Heads up: Rhode Island skipped the 2026 application cycle to align with the new federal grant schedule, and expects to resume for a 2027 cohort. NPs and CNMs are eligible.

Several RI community health centers are NHSC-approved sites.

For current or future nursing faculty with an MSN, DNP, or PhD who commit to at least two years teaching at a South Carolina public college or university.

The state's hub for nurse and health professional forgiveness options, including federal routes.

For certified nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and CRNAs who practice three continuous years in an eligible rural South Dakota community.

South Dakota's state loan repayment program lists registered nurses as an eligible discipline — broader than most. Tribal health facilities and rural sites have strong NHSC participation.

For Tennessee RNs pursuing a master's or post-master's degree in nursing education. 25% of the loan plus interest is forgiven per year of service — four years clears it.

Covers advanced practice nurses and certified nurse midwives in primary care. Reach the current Tennessee program contact through the HRSA state directory.

The Texas Primary Care Office hub for state repayment programs open to nurses in underserved areas. Note the old Texas Health Service Corps was restructured into the Border Health Corps.

For nurses with an MSN or doctorate teaching at a Texas institution. Administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; applications open in spring.

Hundreds of Texas HPSAs and qualifying sites for federal repayment.

Three-year commitment in an underserved Utah area; the practice site must match 20% of the award. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

A dedicated RN and LPN track, administered by the UVM Larner College of Medicine Office of Primary Care and AHEC. Separate tracks exist for NPs.

Registered nurses, NPs, CNMs, and psychiatric nurse specialists are all eligible. Up to $50K comes from the community and up to $50K from the program, for two years in a Virginia HPSA. Applications are accepted January 1 through July 31 each year.

Run by WSAC, not the health department. Hundreds of approved sites accept RNs and LPNs — you must already be employed at one. The cycle has run January to early March.

For nurses with advanced degrees teaching in Washington nursing programs. Same March deadline as the Health Corps.

Up to $40K for the first two years, plus $25K more if you extend twice. Nurse practitioners are eligible; the deadline has fallen at the end of April.

West Virginia has heavy rural HPSA coverage, so many practice sites qualify for federal repayment.

Wisconsin's state loan repayment program. Nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives in outpatient settings qualify, for three years in an underserved rural or urban community. Applications open in May, close September 15.

WORH maintains the clearest running list of state and federal repayment options open to Wisconsin nurses.

RNs and dental hygienists are capped at $20K; NPs and other providers reach $35K. Full-time means 40 hrs/week, 45 weeks a year. The next cycle opens September 1, 2026.

A Community College Commission initiative funding Wyoming nursing education and workforce growth.