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The Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (NELRP)

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The Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (NELRP)

The Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (NELRP) offers registered nurses substantial assistance to repay educational loans in exchange for service in eligible facilities located in areas experiencing a shortage of nurses. Authorized by Section 846 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, the purpose of the NELRP is to assist in the recruitment and retention of professional nurses dedicated to providing health care to underserved populations.

Individual Eligibility Requirements NELRP participants must

Have a diploma, associate or baccalaureate degree in nursing or a graduate degree from an accredited school of nursing
Have unpaid qualifying loans obtained for nursing education
Be a citizen, national or permanent resident of the United States
Be employed full time at an eligible health facility
Have a current unrestricted license in the State in which they intend to practice under the NELRP
Submit a complete application, including a signed contract to serve full-time as a qualified nurse for two or three years at an eligible health facility

Individuals not eligible to participate in NELRP

Have an existing service obligation for health professional service that is owed or provided for under an agreement with a Federal, State, or local government or any other entity, prior to beginning the period of service under this contract (e.g., an active or reserve military obligation, or existing commitment to an institution for educational pay back service)
Have a judgment lien against their property for a debt owed to the United States have breached an obligation for professional service to a Federal, State, or local government entity are in default of a Federal debt (e.g., student loans, delinquent taxes, etc.) and are not considered by their creditors to be in good standing

Length of Service Obligation

All NELRP participants must enter into a contract agreeing to work full time in an approved eligible health facility.

For two years of service, the NELRP will pay 60 percent of the participant’s total qualifying loan balance;
For three years of service, the NELRP will pay 85 percent of the participant’s total qualifying loan balance.
A participant who agrees to serve two years may be eligible to amend the NELRP contract and work a third year at an eligible health facility, for which the NELRP will pay an additional 25 percent of the qualifying loan balance. To get more information: www.bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/loanrepay.htm

To apply on line: www.bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/loanreguide.htm

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