Providers Can Get Student Loan Relief

 Student loan repayment program assisting underserved populations, accepting new applicants Feb. 4-8
More than 1,000 providers served since 1991

​LANSING – Healthcare employers in Genesee County, northern Michigan and those that provide inpatient pediatric psychiatric services throughout the state will better be able to recruit and retain medical, dental and mental healthcare providers through a student loan repayment program offered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
Funded through federal, state and local dollars, the Michigan State Loan Repayment Program is designed to improve healthcare services in underserved communities. Since MDHHS began the loan repayment program in 1991, 1,013 providers have participated.
Genesee County has been a priority area for the program since 2016, resulting in 41 health care providers serving in the county for two years, and $1.35 million in medical education debt relief. Thirty-three providers are practicing in behavioral health and the remainder are providing primary care including pediatrics, family medicine and obstetrics.
Northern Michigan obstetric providers began as a priority provider type in 2013 and has resulted in 31 providers participating in the program with nearly $2 million in loan repayment.
Inpatient pediatric psychiatrists became a priority in 2018 and has resulted in two participants with $89,000 in medical education debt.
Participants in the program can receive up to $50,000 tax-free to repay their educational debt if they practice for two years in non-profit practice sites located in health professional shortage areas. This year’s application period is Feb. 4 - 8, 2019.
The top priorities for the 2019 application period are:

•  Providers serving Genesee County.
• Northern Michigan obstetric providers.
• Inpatient pediatric psychiatrists.

Eligible health care providers include primary care MDs, doctors of osteopathic medicine, nurse practitioners and physician assistants that provide pediatric, internal medicine, family medicine, obstetric services or psychiatric care. Certified nurse midwives, dentists and master’s level clinical social workers who provide clinical counseling are also eligible for the program.
More information about the program, including eligibility requirements and application forms, is available at Michigan.gov/mslrp.