[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke”][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Key Takeaways[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check” marker-color=”secondary”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Federal programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), Nurse Corps Loan Repayment, Perkins cancellation, NHSC, and military options forgive nurse debt after service.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]PSLF forgives loans after 120 payments; Nurse Corps repays up to 85% of unpaid nursing education debt after two years.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Verify employer eligibility, track qualifying payments, and apply early to maximize loan forgiveness and reduce long-term debt burden.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The high cost of nursing school has placed many nurses in debt. According to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-health-workforce/Nurse-Survey-Fact-Sheet-2024.pdf” target=”_blank”]Health Resources and Services Administration[/hen-ui-link] (HRSA), about 2 million or 45% of [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/registered-nursing/best-rn-programs-by-state/”]registered nurses (RNs)[/hen-ui-link] reported using federal loans to help pay for at least part of their first nursing degree in 2022.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While federal and private loans allow students to pursue their professional goals, RNs have an estimated $48 billion of combined student loan debt.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While private loans are common to help [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/financial-aid/nursing-scholarship-grants/”]nurses finance their education[/hen-ui-link], having outstanding federal student loan debt qualifies many for federal loan forgiveness programs that can reduce or eliminate that debt.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]How does student loan forgiveness work? Find out more — and whether you may be eligible — in this guide.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Nursing Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Is Loan Forgiveness and How Does it Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Student loan forgiveness programs traditionally reward public service professionals, such as nurses and teachers, who serve underresourced communities.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]One example for which nurses are eligible is the federal government’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service/qualifying-public-services” target=”_blank”]Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program[/hen-ui-link], which allows professionals who have served the public and met other conditions to be forgiven of their direct loan debt.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If borrowers meet the requirements and fulfill their work commitments, they can have their debt cleared. Funding goes directly to their outstanding balance after they submit an application and other information, such as income data.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Student Loan Forgiveness for Nurses[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most loan forgiveness programs require nurses to care for underserved populations or fill other unmet needs. These may involve working for specific organizations, working in specific locations, or serving in the military.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many student loan forgiveness programs are funded by the federal government and only apply to federally funded student loans, rarely loans from private lenders. Be sure to stay current on court actions that may affect these programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service” target=”_blank”]PSLF program[/hen-ui-link] offers student loan forgiveness to nurses who work full time (at least 30 hours a week) for a federal, state, local, or tribal government or a qualifying not-for-profit organization. Loans are paid off after the borrower makes the first 120 payments. Check to see if your loan type is eligible.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Employers must certify your employment status. If they are unable or unwilling to certify your employment, or if the organization has closed, you may be able to certify by submitting tax documents or pay stubs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Who Is Eligible:[/hen-ui-text] Nurses working full time for a government (including the military) or a qualifying not-for-profit organization, who have made 120 qualifying payments and have a remaining loan balance.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Perkins Loan Cancellation[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you received a [hen-ui-link href=”https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/perkins” target=”_blank”]Perkins Loan[/hen-ui-link] before 2017, you may be eligible for up to [hen-ui-link href=”https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/perkins” target=”_blank”]100% loan cancellation[/hen-ui-link] for five years of eligible service as a full-time nurse providing health care services. If you do not have five years of nursing experience yet, but have worked as a medical technician prior to becoming a nurse, you may be eligible for this program as well.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Eligible service may also include volunteering in the military or the Peace Corps, among others. Your employment or volunteer work must have occurred after October 1998.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Who Is Eligible:[/hen-ui-text] Nurses who have worked full-time for at least five years as a nurse, medical technician, or volunteer, and have a remaining balance on a Perkins Loan.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The HRSA [hen-ui-link href=”https://bhw.hrsa.gov/funding/apply-loan-repayment/nurse-corps” target=”_blank”]Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program[/hen-ui-link] pays up to 85% of unpaid nursing education debt for RNs, [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/advanced-practice-nursing/”]advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs)[/hen-ui-link] and nurse faculty. In exchange, you are required to work two years full time at an eligible health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses or an eligible nursing school.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]After the first two years of work, you will receive 60% of your outstanding loans repaid. You may have the option to receive an additional 25% after working a third year. Be aware that you will have to pay income tax on the amount that’s repaid.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Who Is Eligible:[/hen-ui-text] RNs, APRNs, and nurse faculty with government loans or private (commercial) loans.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Army Nurse Health Professions Loan Repayment Program[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you enlist in the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.goarmy.com/benefits/while-you-serve” target=”_blank”]U.S. Army or the Army Reserve[/hen-ui-link], nurses can receive up to $180,000 in student loan forgiveness, paid directly to your lender ($120,000 in exchange for three years of active duty or $60,000 for two years in the reserves). Repayment income is taxable.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You may also be eligible for a signing bonus of up to $30,000 and other benefits, including a salary and housing allowance. The Army also offers several scholarships to attend school.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Who Is Eligible:[/hen-ui-text] RNs with a bachelor’s degree in nursing or higher, and APRNs[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Disadvantaged Faculty Loan Repayment Program[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/nurse-educator/”]Nursing school faculty[/hen-ui-link] from disadvantaged backgrounds who have at least a two-year contract to teach nursing at a public or nonprofit school are eligible for up to $40,000 in [hen-ui-link href=”https://bhw.hrsa.gov/funding/apply-loan-repayment/faculty-lrp” target=”_blank”]loan repayment[/hen-ui-link], plus funding to offset the tax burden. You are also eligible if you teach nursing at a graduate-level public health program.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Who Is Eligible:[/hen-ui-text] RN or APRN graduates teaching at a public or nonprofit school[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses with student loan debt who commit to working at health facilities serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities for at least two years can receive up to $50,000 towards student loan repayment through the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/” target=”_blank”]Indian Health Service[/hen-ui-link]. You do not have to be of Indigenous American heritage to participate.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Who Is Eligible:[/hen-ui-text] RNs specializing in community/public health and case management, diabetic nurse educators, and APRNs, including nurse-midwives, nurse anesthetists, and [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/best-online-nurse-practitioner-programs/”]nurse practitioners (NP)[/hen-ui-link]. Non-nursing health professionals are also eligible.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program (LRP)[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loan-repayment/nhsc-loan-repayment-program” target=”_blank”]NHSC loan forgiveness program[/hen-ui-link] is available to APRNs who treat patients on Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). They must also be providers in an NHSC-approved facility located in a health professional shortage area. To receive the funds, they must work for two years, with an option to receive additional funds in exchange for another year of service.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Practitioners who serve as primary care providers may receive up to $75,000 for full-time service and $50,000 for part time. All other providers can receive up to $37,500 full time and $25,000 part time. Spanish-language proficiency makes you eligible for an additional $5,000 reward.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Who Is Eligible:[/hen-ui-text] Nurse-midwives and NPs in adult, family, geriatric, pediatric, or women’s health specialties[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce LRP[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loan-repayment/nhsc-sud-workforce-loan-repayment-program” target=”_blank”]NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce LRP program[/hen-ui-link] is available to APRNs and specialty nurses who participate in Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. They must specialize in primary care, mental/behavioral health care, or maternity care at an NHSC-approved substance misuse treatment facility. The program pays up to $75,000 for three years, including an additional one-time reward of $5,000 for Spanish-language proficiency.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Who Is Eligible:[/hen-ui-text] RNs, NPs,[hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/psychiatric-nurse/”] psychiatric nurse specialists[/hen-ui-link], nurse-midwives, nurse anesthetists[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]NHSC Rural Community LRP[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loan-repayment/nhsc-rural-community-loan-repayment-program” target=”_blank”]NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program[/hen-ui-link] is available to APRNs and specialty nurses who are substance use disorder care providers to Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP recipients in a rural health professional shortage area. They must work for NHSC-approved nonprofit or governmental organizations.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This program forgives up to $100,000 in loans for three years of full-time service or $50,000 for three years of part-time service. Practitioners with Spanish-language proficiency may be eligible for an additional $5,000 reward.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Who Is Eligible:[/hen-ui-text] RNs, NPs, psychiatric nurse specialists, nurse-midwives, nurse anesthetists[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Income-Driven Repayment Plans[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://studentaid.gov/articles/student-loan-forgiveness/” target=”_blank”]Income-Driven Repayment (IDR)[/hen-ui-link] plans are for borrowers with outstanding federal student loan debt who receive monthly payment adjustments based on income and family size. Loans are forgiven once borrowers make a certain number of payments over 10, 20, or 25 years. You may have to pay income tax on the amount that’s forgiven.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The plan you are eligible for will determine the time it takes to reach loan forgiveness. As of April 2025, IDR plans include Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Income-Based Repayment (IBR), and Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR). In July 2023, portions of some plans were paused by court order, so reach out to your student loan servicer periodically for updated information.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Who Is Eligible:[/hen-ui-text] Nurses and other borrowers with eligible loans, including federal direct loans, federal direct consolidation loans, and federal Stafford Loans.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]School-Related Loan Cancellations[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Actions by the school you attended when first receiving a student loan can qualify you for [hen-ui-link href=”https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation” target=”_blank”]school-related loan cancellations[/hen-ui-link] (or discharges). These loan cancellations include the Borrower Defense to Repayment (BDR), False Certification Discharge, and Closed School Loan discharge.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Borrower Defense to Repayment[/hen-ui-text] is available to borrowers who have reason to believe the school they attended, when receiving their loan, misled them or violated certain laws. The BDR only applies to Federal Direct Loans.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]False Certification Discharge[/hen-ui-text] assists borrowers who attended schools that falsely certified their eligibility to receive a Federal Direct Loan or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL).[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Closed School Loan Discharge[/hen-ui-text] is available to borrowers who attended a school that closed while they were enrolled or soon after they withdrew. This loan discharge is only available to borrowers who have a Direct Loan, FFEL loan, or Perkins loan.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Who is Eligible:[/hen-ui-text] Nurses and other borrowers with federal loans who attended a school that misled them, violated certain laws, falsely certified their loan eligibility, or discontinued operations[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]FAQ: Student Loan Forgiveness for Nurses[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Do nurses get their student loans forgiven?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many nurses are eligible for student loan forgiveness. The federal government offers loan repayment programs that may cover part or all of a nurse’s student loan debt.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is debt relief for nurses legit?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Debt relief is possible for many nurses through loan forgiveness, repayment, and cancellation programs. To qualify for these programs, a commitment to providing care to underserved communities for a certain time may be required.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Who qualifies for the NHSC loan repayment program?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RNs and advanced practice registered nurses who work at NHSC-approved facilities in health professional shortage areas and meet all eligibility requirements qualify for the NHSC loan repayment program. They may be required to specialize in areas such as primary care, mental health care, or maternal care.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is loan relief for nurses?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Loan relief for nurses is an alleviation of student loan debt for those who qualify for certain relief programs. Loan relief can be attained through loan forgiveness, repayment, or cancellation.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]