Lana Oconnell
Nurses have many options to make their student loan payments more manageable, and in some cases, they may not have to pay back some of their student loans. There are several federal, state, local, and private student loan forgiveness and repayment programs available for nurses. These include the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans, Nurse Corps Loan Repayment, Perkins Loan Cancellation, and military options. Nurses may also receive loan repayment assistance or signing bonuses from their employers. Additionally, refinancing private loans can help lower interest rates and extend repayment terms. However, it's important to carefully consider the pros and cons of each option, as switching repayment plans could increase payments if one's income is higher.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Loan Forgiveness Programs | Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), Nurse Corps Loan Repayment, Perkins Loan Cancellation, NHSC, Military options, Income-Driven Repayment (IDR), Travel Nursing |
| Loan Forgiveness Amount | Up to 85% of unpaid nursing education debt |
| Loan Forgiveness Requirements | Work full-time (at least 30 hours a week) for a federal, state, local, or tribal government or a qualifying not-for-profit organization |
| Loan Forgiveness Timeframe | Forgiveness after 10, 20, or 25 years of repayment |
| Loan Repayment Assistance | Provided by some employers as an employment benefit |
| Signing Bonuses | Up to $30,000 offered by the U.S. Army or Army Reserve |
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What You'll Learn
Federal and state loan forgiveness programs
Nurses in the US can have their student loan debt forgiven through federal and state loan forgiveness programs. These programs often require that a nurse holds a specific loan type, place of employment, or other requirements, so not all nurses will qualify.
The federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program offers loan forgiveness to nurses who work full-time (at least 30 hours a week) for a federal, state, local, or tribal government or a qualifying non-profit organization. Loans are forgiven after the borrower makes the first 120 payments.
The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program repays up to 85% of unpaid nursing education debt after two years of service. This program gives funding preference to those who need the most financial help.
The Perkins Loan Cancellation program is another option for nurses seeking loan forgiveness. A full-time nurse can be eligible to have 100% of their federal loans completely forgiven if they have five years of eligible service.
Additionally, the US Army offers student loan forgiveness of up to $180,000 for nurses who enlist, with $120,000 offered for three years of active duty and $60,000 for two years in the reserves.
Finally, Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans are available for borrowers with outstanding federal student loan debt, who receive monthly payment adjustments based on income and family size. Loans are forgiven once borrowers make a certain number of payments over 10, 20, or 25 years.
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Income-driven repayment (IDR) plans
Nurses, like other professionals, have to pay back their student loans. However, there are several federal programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), Nurse Corps Loan Repayment, Perkins cancellation, NHSC, and military options that forgive nurse debt after service. PSLF, for instance, forgives loans after 120 payments, while the Nurse Corps repays up to 85% of unpaid nursing education debt after two years.
As of April 2025, there are four types of IDR plans:
- REPAYE Plan: Generally, 10% of discretionary income.
- PAYE Plan: Generally, 10% of discretionary income, but never more than the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan amount.
- IBR Plan: Generally, 10% of discretionary income for new borrowers on or after July 1, 2014; 15% for those who borrowed before that date. The payment amount is capped at the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan amount.
- ICR Plan: Available to any borrower with eligible federal loans, including PLUS loan borrowers with dependents.
It is important to note that IDR plans have specific eligibility requirements, and not all loans qualify for these repayment plans. Additionally, defaulted loans are not eligible for repayment under any of the IDR plans.
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$16.53 $22.99
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Nurses with student loan debt may qualify for debt relief through federal programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). PSLF is a program established by Congress in 2007 to encourage Americans to enter the public service sector. The program promises to forgive the remaining student loans of those who have completed 10 years (120 payments) of service in eligible full-time jobs while making 10 years of minimum payments.
To be eligible for PSLF, nurses must work for a federal, state, local, or tribal government or a qualifying non-profit organization. Nurses in the military also qualify. It is important to check if your loan type is eligible, as not all loans qualify for PSLF. Additionally, employers must certify employment status, and if they are unable or unwilling to do so, alternative forms of certification may be submitted, such as tax documents or pay stubs.
It is worth noting that individuals employed by organizations with substantially illegal purposes are not eligible for PSLF, according to a 2025 update by the White House. This update aimed to redirect funds to necessary occupations and away from organizations that harm national security and American values.
Other loan forgiveness programs for nurses include the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program, which repays up to 85% of unpaid nursing education debt after two years of service. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) also offers loan repayment programs for nurses in their final year of an eligible nursing program or those providing services in certain pediatric subspecialties or child and adolescent mental and behavioral healthcare.
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Nurse Corps Loan Repayment
In the United States, nurses may have to pay back student loans, but there are several federal programs that can help with debt relief, including the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program.
The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program (LRP) helps address the need for nurses in critical shortage facilities in the U.S. It is run by the Bureau of Health Workforce and offers to pay up to 85% of unpaid nursing education debt for eligible nurses.
To be eligible, you must be a nurse faculty member with qualifying nursing debt from an accredited school of nursing located in a U.S. state or territory. Preference is given to those who need the most help financially.
The program requires a two-year service contract, during which you will receive 60% of your total outstanding qualifying nursing education loans. After fulfilling this contract, you may be eligible for a third year and an additional 25% of your loans. It is important to note that these funds are subject to federal income and employment taxes.
In addition to the Nurse Corps LRP, there are other loan repayment programs offered by the Bureau of Health Workforce that may be applicable to nurses, such as the Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program. Furthermore, programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), Perkins cancellation, NHSC, and military options provide loan forgiveness for nurses after serving in the military or working for a qualifying organization.
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Perkins Loan Cancellation
Nurses with student loan debt may qualify for debt relief through student loan forgiveness programs. Federal programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), Nurse Corps Loan Repayment, Perkins Loan Cancellation, NHSC, and military options forgive nurse debt after service.
The PSLF program offers student loan forgiveness to nurses who work full-time (at least 30 hours a week) for a federal, state, local, or tribal government or a qualifying not-for-profit organization. Loans are forgiven after the borrower makes the first 120 payments.
The Perkins Loan Program offered nurses up to 100% loan cancellation for five years of eligible service as a full-time nurse providing healthcare services. This program was available to nurses who received a Perkins Loan before 2017.
The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program (LRP) pays up to 85% of unpaid nursing education debt. To qualify, nurses must have received their nursing education from an accredited school of nursing located in a U.S. state or territory. Funding is given to those who need the most financial help. After a two-year service contract, nurses may be eligible for a third year and an additional 25% of their loans.
Additionally, nurses who enlist in the U.S. Army or Army Reserve may receive up to $180,000 in student loan forgiveness, with $120,000 offered for three years of active duty and $60,000 for two years in the reserves. Nursing school faculty from disadvantaged backgrounds may also be eligible for up to $40,000 in loan repayment through this program.
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Frequently asked questions
Nurses may qualify for loan forgiveness or repayment programs, so they do not always have to pay back student loans.
The PSLF program offers student loan forgiveness to nurses who work full time (at least 30 hours a week) for a federal, state, local, or tribal government or a qualifying not-for-profit organization. Loans are forgiven after 120 qualifying payments.
Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans are for borrowers with outstanding federal student loan debt who receive monthly payment adjustments based on income and family size. Loans are forgiven after a certain number of payments over 10, 20, or 25 years.
Nurses can consider refinancing, which can lower interest rates and shorten or extend repayment terms. They can also look into loan repayment assistance or signing bonuses from employers, or join the military, which offers loan forgiveness.
Some popular student loan forgiveness programs for nurses include the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program, Perkins Loan Cancellation, and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
