Student Loan Forgiveness For Nurses By State

Nursing school is a major investment of time and money, especially for a BSN or MSN. National and state programs can repay part of that debt. Most require several years of work in federally designated health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) or for nonprofit and government employers. Some states limit eligibility to nurse practitioners (NPs) or behavioral health providers.

Below is each state's program with award amounts, eligibility, and where to apply. Award amounts and rules change often, so confirm the current details on the state's site before you apply. States not listed, or noted as having no program, may still leave you eligible for national loan forgiveness.

Alabama

A forgivable loan for aspiring or recently graduated nurses who agree to work in underserved communities. Recipients can receive up to $15,000 per year for a maximum of three years for a master's degree or four years for a doctorate, then must work in a high-need area for 18 months per loan year received. A student who took the loan for four years owes six years of HPSA work to have the debt forgiven.

Eligible: Alabama residents enrolled full-time in a graduate nursing program to become a certified registered NP, certified nurse midwife, or certified registered nurse anesthetist. Those already in these roles can apply if they graduated within the past five years.

Alaska

The SHARP program repays up to $27,000 per year for full-time work (40 hours per week) and up to $13,500 for part-time work (20 hours), with a two-year minimum. The employer also contributes; government agencies and nonprofits generally must match at least 34% of the state's payment.

Eligible: U.S. citizens or nationals working in designated shortage areas as a primary care certified NP, registered nurse, psychiatric nurse specialist, or certified nurse midwife. Program page.

Arizona

Loan repayment for nurse practitioners in underserved areas who work for providers that accept Medicare and Medicaid. The program pays up to $50,000 per year for the first two contract years, another $25,000 in year three, and $20,000 more in year four. Amounts vary with the severity of community need.

Eligible: U.S. citizens or nationals with unencumbered licenses working at least 40 hours per week qualify for the full amount; half-time workers qualify for half. Sites must be nonprofit or for-profit within a federal HPSA, or in a medically underserved area. Program page.

Arkansas

No state loan repayment program for nurses. Check national debt forgiveness programs.

California

Up to $50,000 in repayment for full-time work (40 hours per week) in a designated underserved area for at least two years; part-time workers can receive up to $25,000 over two years. After the two-year commitment, full-time nurses can earn another $20,000 after their third and fourth years, then $10,000 for each year beyond.

Eligible: Nurses in good standing with unpaid student debt working in a qualifying shortage area, correctional institution, Native health center, or federally qualified health center. Open to NPs, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists. Program page.

Colorado

The Colorado Health Service Corps repays up to $90,000 for full-time nurses (40 hours per week) in a shortage area, $67,500 for three-quarter time (30 hours), and $45,000 for half-time (20 hours), with a three-year minimum. Funds can repay federal or commercial nursing-school loans.

Eligible: NPs, nurse midwives, APRNs trained in substance use disorders or pain management, and certified psychiatric nurse specialists. Sites must sit in HPSAs, accept Medicare and Medicaid, and offer sliding-scale payments. Program page.

Connecticut

Repays government or commercial loans for an undergraduate or graduate nursing degree. Registered nurses commit to at least two years in a shortage area, receiving $10,000 after year one and $12,500 after year two. Extensions add up to $15,000 per year, capped at four total years and $52,500.

Eligible: Primary care certified nurses, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists. Recipients must be U.S. citizens.

Delaware

Pays between $30,000 and $60,000 for verifiable loans in good standing for a two-year commitment in underserved areas. Awards are weighted by qualifications: meets ($30,000 over two years), exceeds ($45,000), or distinguished ($60,000).

Eligible: NPs, nurse midwives, registered nurses, and psychiatric nurse specialists with unencumbered licenses, no felonies, and U.S. citizenship, working in federally designated HPSAs. Program page.

Florida

Up to $4,000 per year for up to four years toward outstanding nursing-degree debt. The program reaches more nurses than many others, but the yearly awards are smaller.

Eligible: Licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, or advanced registered nurse practitioners working for government healthcare providers, schools, teaching hospitals, or other Florida-licensed hospitals and nursing homes that match the state investment.

Georgia

The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Loan Repayment Program repays up to $10,000 per year for up to four years to APRNs in medically underserved, rural counties with fewer than 35,000 residents.

Eligible: APRNs who are U.S. citizens or nationals working at providers that accept Medicaid. Program page.

Hawaii

Repayment for nurses in HPSAs, with a two-year service requirement and one-year extensions afterward. Award amounts are not fixed and vary with funding; employers must match half the award.

Eligible: Graduate-degree nurses, including registered nurses, NPs, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists who are U.S. citizens or nationals, working at government or nonprofit sites that accept Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP.

Idaho

Loan payments for nurses in underserved areas for at least two years, with employers matching dollar for dollar. Amounts range from $5,000 to $25,000 per year depending on the employer match.

Eligible: NPs, registered nurses, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists with student debt and unencumbered licenses working for nonprofits in designated HPSAs. Total funding cannot exceed the recipient's debt. Program page.

Illinois

Two programs apply to nurses. The Veterans' Home Medical Providers' Loan Repayment Program covers any licensed nurse or certified nursing assistant in an approved Illinois veterans' home, awarding up to $5,000 per year. The Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program covers APRNs in behavioral health, awarding $15,000 per year in high-need or rural areas.

Eligible: Illinois residents who are U.S. citizens or nationals and not in default on any federal or Illinois Student Assistance Commission loan. Program page.

Indiana

Repayment for nurses in designated shortage areas. After two years of service, recipients receive $20,000; they can reapply for another two years and $20,000, for $40,000 over four years.

Eligible: Registered nurses, primary care NPs, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists working in public or private not-for-profit settings in federally designated shortage areas approved by the Indiana Department of Health. Sites must discount care for low-income patients. Program page.

Iowa

Awards $40,000 for a two-year commitment at an HPSA site, repaying government or private nursing-degree loans. Full-time is at least 40 hours per week.

Eligible: NPs, advanced registered nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, psychiatric nurse specialists, and registered nurses who are licensed, board-eligible, or board-certified to practice in the state.

Kansas

Up to $20,000 per year for the first two years of required HPSA service, then $15,000 in year three, $10,000 in year four, and $5,000 in year five, for $70,000 over five years. Funds repay government or commercial loans for undergraduate or graduate nursing degrees.

Eligible: NPs, registered nurses, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists who are U.S. citizens or nationals, working for a nonprofit or public practice in a federally designated HPSA that accepts government insurance. Program page.

Kentucky

Up to $15,000 per year for a two-year HPSA contract, with the employer or another sponsor matching dollar for dollar. With a full match, nurses can earn up to $60,000 over two years.

Eligible: Registered nurses, NPs, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists working at least 40 hours per week within an HPSA for a nonprofit or government provider that accepts government insurance. Program page.

Louisiana

Up to $20,000 per year over a required three-year contract. Recipients in good standing can apply for a two-year extension worth another $30,000 if funds remain. Nurses must work at least 40 hours per week.

Eligible: Primary care NPs, nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists working for government or nonprofit practices that accept government insurance and offer sliding-scale payments. U.S. citizens only. Priority goes to applicants serving the highest share of underserved patients. Program page.

Maine

Maine previously ran a state loan repayment program for nurses, but applications closed in 2022 and the Finance Authority of Maine reports no plans to reopen it.

Maryland

A loan repayment program for nurses and nursing support staff, with amounts set by role. Certified NPs, certified nurse midwives, registered nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists qualify for up to $100,000 for a two-year agreement at 40-plus hours per week. Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses qualify for up to $50,000 over two years. Support staff qualify for up to $5,000 over two years.

Eligible: Participants at a nonprofit entity, including state or local government. Funds apply only to undergraduate or graduate loans tied to nursing or support-staff education. Program page.

Massachusetts

Up to $50,000 for a two-year contract at 40-plus hours per week in an HPSA. Recipients can reapply but cannot exceed $100,000 total. Part-time nurses at 20 hours per week can receive up to $50,000 over a four-year contract.

Eligible: Certified NPs, nurse midwives, psychiatric clinical nurse specialists, and clinical nurse specialists with a Massachusetts RN license working in federally designated HPSAs or other state-designated areas. Recipients cannot participate in other loan forgiveness programs.

Michigan

Up to $300,000 over 10 years for nurses in HPSAs, on renewable two-year contracts. Each contract pays roughly 20% of the outstanding loan balance. Nonprofit employers match 20% of the forgiven amount; for-profit employers in eligible locations pay 50%.

Eligible: NPs, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists with a master's degree who are U.S. citizens. Registered nurses are not eligible. Sites must offer sliding-scale fees. Program page.

Minnesota

Up to $20,000 per year for full-time work and $10,000 for half-time, with a two-year minimum at an HPSA. Funds repay government or commercial loans for any nursing-related degree.

Eligible: Psychiatric NPs, psychiatric nurse specialists, and registered nurses who reside in Minnesota with a valid license. NPs without a psychiatric specialty do not qualify. Preference goes to applicants in rural areas or counties where the RN rate is below 100.

Mississippi

No repayment program, but a forgivable loan for nurses pursuing a graduate nursing degree. Full-time graduate students can receive up to $4,000 per academic year for two years. The state forgives one year of the loan for each year spent teaching at an accredited Mississippi nursing school or serving in a professional nursing role.

Eligible: Residents seeking a master's in nursing from a Mississippi institution who hold a BSN and a valid Mississippi license, with at least one year of state residency before applying. Program page.

Missouri

Up to $10,000 per year for registered nurses and $20,000 per year for APRNs, for at least two years in an underserved Missouri community.

Eligible: Registered nurses, APRNs, NPs, certified registered nurse anesthetists, family NPs, and nursing students in their final full-time year. Applicants need a Missouri license from a state-approved institution. Program page.

Montana

Up to $37,500 per year for an initial two-year contract. Full-time nurses can add up to two more one-year contracts (subject to funding), reaching up to $150,000 over four years.

Eligible: NPs, primary care registered nurses, and certified nurse midwives working at a nonprofit in an HPSA that serves all patients regardless of ability to pay. Program page.

Nebraska

Up to $30,000 per year for up to three years at an eligible site, with a 50/50 match from a local entity (the employer or another organization must match at least $15,000 per year for the full award). Minimum three years of service.

Eligible: Nurse practitioners and registered nurses in federally designated HPSAs. State employees are not eligible. Program page.

Nevada

The Pennington Rural Health Services Loan Repayment Program serves underserved and rural communities, with awards by role on a two-year commitment: NPs earn $25,000 per year, BSN graduates $20,000 per year, and registered nurses $10,000 per year.

Eligible: Nurses at locations on the list maintained by the Nevada Governor's Office of Science, Innovation and Technology.

New Hampshire

Funds nurses in qualifying facilities part-time for 24 months or full-time for 36 months, with contracts prioritized for applicants who secure a one-to-one employer match. APRNs, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric NPs (tier 2) can earn up to $45,000 over the initial 36-month contract, plus $20,000 for a two-year extension. Primary care registered nurses can earn up to $30,000, plus $10,000 for a two-year extension.

Eligible: Nurses licensed in New Hampshire working in medically underserved areas at sites offering a sliding-fee schedule based on federal poverty guidelines. Program page.

New Jersey

A loan redemption program for nurses in medically underserved areas for at least two years. Funds apply only to graduate-school loans, with amounts scaled to service year and debt:

• First year: 18% of the loan, up to $21,600
• Second year: 26% of the loan, up to $31,200
• Third year: up to 28% of the loan, up to $33,600
• Fourth year: up to 28% of the loan, up to $33,600

Eligible: New Jersey residents with a graduate degree who maintain a state license for the program's duration. Program page.

New Mexico

Repays outstanding loans for health professionals committing to two years of full-time HPSA work, with payments made directly to the loan servicer. Amounts vary by the highest-priority shortage areas as measured by the federal HPSA score, service area, local health statistics, and population served.

Eligible: Applicants with a valid state license, full-time employment, and at least one year of New Mexico residency before applying.

New York

A nursing faculty loan forgiveness program aimed at increasing nursing faculty. Awards reach $40,000, paying $8,000 per year of service. Recipients must teach at least the equivalent of 12 credit hours per year as nursing faculty or adjunct clinical faculty.

Eligible: New York residents who are registered nurses with a graduate degree and a state license. Funds apply only to nursing-degree debt disbursed on or after Jan. 1, 2001.

North Carolina

Repayment for nurses serving in rural and underserved areas, focused on mental and behavioral health shortages. Participants work at least three years in a team-based setting providing comprehensive mental and behavioral health services. The maximum award is $50,000 after three years and cannot exceed the outstanding balance.

Eligible: NPs, psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioners, and psychiatric nurse specialists licensed in the state and employed full-time (40 hours per week) for the maximum award.

North Dakota

The Healthcare Professional Loan Repayment Program places professionals in underserved communities and requires a community match. Nurses can qualify for up to $4,000 per year and up to $20,000 over five years; with the required 10% community match, the total reaches $22,000 over five years.

Eligible: Primary care NPs, certified nurse midwives, registered nurses, and specialty practice nurses at sites accepting Medicare and Medicaid. Priority goes to applicants in critical shortage areas or at least 20 miles outside a city of more than 40,000 residents. Program page.

Ohio

The nursing education assistance loan program helps prospective and enrolled students taking at least six credit hours in an approved Ohio program. The maximum annual award is $1,620. The full loan is forgiven after five years of full-time work as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse in Ohio.

Eligible: Ohio residents in good academic standing. Awards are need-based and require the FAFSA.

Oklahoma

No state loan repayment program for nurses. Check national debt forgiveness programs.

Oregon

The Oregon Partnership State Loan Repayment Program serves HPSAs and requires a one-to-one site match. Awardees commit to two years full-time or four years part-time at a state-approved facility. Full-time providers can receive up to $35,000 per year, part-time up to $17,500. Awards cannot exceed 50% of the outstanding balance per year during the initial contract.

Eligible: Primary care NPs, certified nurse midwives, psychiatric nurse specialists, and registered nurses contracted to work or already working in an HPSA. Program page.

Pennsylvania

The Primary Care Loan Repayment Program supports primary care practitioners in underserved HPSA communities. Nurses can earn up to $48,000 for a two-year full-time commitment or up to $24,000 over two years part-time.

Eligible: Certified registered NPs and certified nurse midwives with active Pennsylvania licenses.

Rhode Island

The Health Professional Loan Repayment Program serves public or nonprofit outpatient facilities in an HPSA. Full-time recipients (40 hours per week) commit to two years of direct patient care; part-time workers (20 hours) commit to four. Amounts are not fixed; the state pays the full award stipulated in the service contract.

Eligible: NPs, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists. Registered nurses also qualify in an outpatient setting. Program page.

South Carolina

No state loan repayment program for nurses. Check national debt forgiveness programs.

South Dakota

Requires at least two years in an HPSA. The program offers $25,000 per year for a limited number of full-time nurses and up to $12,500 per year for half-time providers.

Eligible: NPs, registered nurses, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists with a current, full, permanent, unrestricted license.

Tennessee

The State Loan Repayment Program rewards at least two years in an HPSA. Nurses in a high-need area can have up to $50,000 repaid after two years and can reapply for up to $20,000 per year afterward. Eligible sites are ambulatory primary care public, nonprofit, or private not-for-profit facilities in an HPSA.

Eligible: Advanced practice nurses, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists licensed in Tennessee, using funds only for qualifying educational loans.

Texas

The Rural Communities Health Care Investment Program offers partial reimbursement for working in underserved communities. It awards $10,000 to non-physician providers who work at least one year in a qualifying community of 50,000 or fewer residents.

Eligible: Non-physician providers, including Texas-licensed nurses who received their license within the past two years or recently moved from a county of more than 150,000 residents into a qualifying community. Program page.

Utah

The Health Care Workforce Financial Assistance Program repays loans for residents working three years in underserved health facilities, with amounts by education level. A registered nurse with a bachelor's degree can qualify for $30,000 after three years; an RN with an associate degree can qualify for $15,000. Employers match 20% of the total.

Eligible: Registered nurses licensed in the state who apply within 18 months of starting at an approved site.

Vermont

The Educational Loan Repayment Program serves healthcare workforce shortage areas, with amounts by specialty and license. Primary NPs, psychiatric NPs, and certified nurse midwives qualify for up to $50,000 per year, to a maximum of $300,000 over six years, with 12- to 24-month service commitments. Registered nurses qualify for up to $15,000 per year, to a maximum of $60,000 over four years, typically on 12-month commitments.

Eligible: NPs, registered nurses, and certified nurse midwives with a state license working at least 20 clinical hours per week for at least 45 weeks per year.

Virginia

Reimburses healthcare professionals who commit to work in an HPSA. The state pays up to $50,000 for a two-year commitment and requires a one-to-one community match, so a participant can receive up to $100,000 over two years. Third- and fourth-year extensions add another $20,000 per year ($40,000 per year with a full match). Total awards across four years cannot exceed $140,000 or the participant's balance.

Eligible: Nurse practitioners, registered nurses, nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists with Virginia residency and a valid state license. Program page.

Washington

The Washington Health Corps pays up to $75,000 for a three-year commitment at an HPSA. Recipients work at least 24 hours per week with no more than 40 days away from the clinic per year, at a nonprofit.

Eligible: NPs, registered nurses, and certified nurse midwives with Washington residency and a valid state license. Program page.

West Virginia

The State Loan Repayment Program reimburses government and commercial loans for a service commitment. Full-time nurses (40 hours per week) in an HPSA for at least two years qualify for $40,000, with one-year extensions adding $25,000 per year in years three and four, to a maximum of $90,000. BSN-only applicants qualify for up to $25,000 over the initial two years, plus $12,500 per year in extensions, to a maximum of $50,000 over four years.

Eligible: Primary care NPs, certified nurse midwives, certified NPs, and BSN holders licensed in West Virginia. Program page.

Wisconsin

The Health Professionals Loan Assistance Program pays nurses working in an HPSA. Those who serve at least three years at an outpatient facility in an underserved community can receive up to $25,000, and can complete the program twice for up to $50,000 over six years.

Eligible: NPs and certified nurse midwives with a valid state license. Applicants submit a personal essay on why they chose their practice site and whether they plan to stay. Program page.

Wyoming

The State Loan Repayment Program awards $20,000 toward repayment for nurses who commit to two years at an HPSA, with applications prioritized by community need. Nurses in higher-scoring HPSAs are prioritized.

Eligible: NPs, certified nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurse specialists with Wyoming residency and a valid state license. Priority goes to graduates of the University of Wyoming or a Wyoming community college. Program page.