New York Offers Up to $300k in Student Loan Repayment for Health Workers

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New York is launching a $48.3 million program called Health Care Access Loan Repayment (HEALR) that will offer up to $300,000 in student loan forgiveness for health care workers who commit to serving underserved populations for at least four years. The initiative targets doctors, dentists, nurses, and other providers to help address regional shortages and strengthen the health care workforce, especially for Medicaid recipients and the uninsured.

Why it matters

Health care access remains uneven in many parts of New York, with Medicaid patients and the uninsured often facing significant barriers. This loan forgiveness program is designed to attract and retain more providers in underserved areas by removing the financial burden of education debt, a key factor that can deter clinicians from working in these communities.

The details

The HEALR program will provide the following maximum loan forgiveness amounts: psychiatrists up to $300,000, primary care doctors and dentists up to $100,000, and nurse practitioners and pediatric clinical nurse specialists up to $50,000. Applicants must be employed by an eligible health care provider or operate a private practice when the program begins. The funding comes from a Medicaid waiver aimed at boosting access to care for Medicaid and uninsured patients, with the program active through March 2027.

• The first HEALR awards are expected to be announced this summer.
• The program is funded by a Medicaid waiver that is active through March 2027.

What’s next

Employers can apply on behalf of up to five workers, with deadlines of March 31 for employer applications and April 15 for individual applications. More details are on the New York State Department of Health HEALR Program page.