Are you a registered nurse, nurse practitioner, or nurse faculty member living and working in Northern Vermont? If you’re passionate about serving rural or underserved communities—and like the sound of having up to 85% of your nursing student loans paid off—you’ll want to check out the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program.
What Is the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program?
Offered by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), this program helps nurses who are committed to working where they’re needed most. In exchange for a two-year service commitment at a critical shortage facilityor as nurse faculty at an eligible school of nursing, you could have up to 60% of your unpaid nursing education debt paid for. Stay a third year and you could receive an additional 25% repayment.
Why This Matters for Northern Vermont
Here in the Northeast Vermont and surrounding areas, many communities qualify as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs)—meaning they often face challenges recruiting and retaining qualified health professionals. That puts Vermont nurses in a unique position: you can serve your neighbors while getting substantial student loan relief.
Whether you’re working at a community health center, rural hospital, long-term care facility, or even teaching the next generation of nurses, you may be eligible.
Who Can Apply?
You must be:
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A U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident
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A licensed registered nurse (RN), advanced practice registered nurse (e.g., NP), or nurse faculty
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Working full-time in an eligible critical shortage facility or accredited school of nursing in a high-need area
You can check if your workplace qualifies using the HRSA’s HPSA Finder Tool:
https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/shortage-area/hpsa-find
Key Dates
APRIL 3, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET: Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program Application Assistance Webinar and Q&A Session – Join via Zoom
April 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET: The 2025 Nurse Corps Loan Repayment application cycle is now open through this date/time.
To stay up-to-date, visit the official Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program page:
https://bhw.hrsa.gov/funding/apply-loan-repayment/nurse-corps
Why Act Now?
Nursing is more than a job—it’s a calling. For Vermont nurses working in high-need areas, this program recognizes your dedication and helps ease the financial burden of your education. Plus, with the ongoing need for nurses in rural and underserved areas, your impact will be deeply felt across your community.
Resources
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Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program Info:
https://bhw.hrsa.gov/funding/apply-loan-repayment/nurse-corps -
HPSA Find Tool:
https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/shortage-area/hpsa-find -
Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program Fiscal Year 2025 Application and Program Guidance: https://bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-health-workforce/funding/nursecorps-lrp-guidance.pdf