Nurses with student loans, you’re not alone. And first, we want to say thank you — we know how hard your job is and how much you give every day to care for others.
The good news? You may qualify for programs that help with loan repayment, deferment, and even loan forgiveness.
In this article, we’ll break down how forgiving student debt works for nurses, which programs are available, and what you can do right now to take the stress out of your student loans.
Can Nurses Get Their Student Loans Forgiven?
Yes — and many nurses already have! Nurses often qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). This federal program was created to help people in public service jobs, including nursing, get rid of their student loans.
If you work full-time at a nonprofit hospital, clinic, or public health facility, you’re likely eligible. The process takes time, but the outcome is worth it.
In addition to PSLF, many states offer their own forgiveness programs for healthcare workers, and the federal government itself runs the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) loan repayment program. We’ll discuss all of these options in this article!
How Public Service Loan Forgiveness Works
PSLF is one of the best options for forgiving student debt. Here’s how it works:
- You make 120 qualifying monthly payments (about 10 years).
- You work full-time for a nonprofit or government employer during that time.
- Your remaining loan balance- including accrued interest- is completely forgiven, tax-free.
Even better, your monthly payments are based on your income, not your loan amount. This makes staying on track much more realistic.
Do Nurses Count as Public Service Employees?
Oftentimes, yes! Nurses who work for qualifying employers count as public service workers under the PSLF program.
That includes most:
- Nonprofit hospitals
- Government-run clinics or agencies
- Tribal health centers
- Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities
So if you’re a nurse in one of these settings, you may already meet the employment requirement for student loan forgiveness. If you’re unsure, you can take a few minutes to check your employer using Federal Student Aid’s PSLF Help Tool.
Fun fact: Keep in mind that PSLF eligibility is dependent on your employer, not your position. If you are a nurse and have coworkers in other positions at the same location, let them know the good news!
Who Qualifies for the NHSC Loan Repayment Program?
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) offers student loan repayment to licensed health professionals, including:
- Nurse practitioners,
- Registered nurses, and
- Certified nurse midwives.
To qualify, you must:
- Work at an NHSC-approved site
- Provide care in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA)
- Commit to two years of full- or half-time service
In return, you could receive up to $75,000 in student loan repayment assistance. There is even a $5k bonus for Spanish-speaking participants.
Similarly, the Health Resources & Services Administration offers the Nurse Corps Repayment Program (NCRP), which can pay up to 85% of unpaid nursing education debt for registered nurses (RNs), advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and nurse faculty.
These options can make a massive difference in tackling your student loan debt and are certainly worth looking into! Please note that each of these programs has specific deadlines to apply each year, so make sure to apply during the next open application cycle!
Is Debt Relief for Nurses Legit?
Yes — student debt relief for nurses is 100% legit, if you use official programs and do your own research.
Options like PSLF, NHSC loan repayment, and state forgiveness programs are backed by the federal government. They’re real, and they help thousands of nurses every year.
What’s not legit? Scams that promise to “erase your debt overnight” for a fee. If you get a phone call saying that your loan balance can be erased in anything less than 10 years, it’s likely a scam. Stay away from those and stick with trusted programs and providers that offer thoroughly vetted programs.
Should Nurses Consider Student Debt Consolidation?
Yes, especially if your loans aren’t currently PSLF-eligible.
If you have FFEL or Perkins Loans, you may need to apply for a loan consolidation to even qualify for loan forgiveness. This process merges your federal loans into one new Direct Consolidation Loan.
Benefits of consolidation:
- Combines loans into one, giving you one balance, one servicer, and one interest rate
- Makes certain loans eligible for PSLF
- Lets you choose an income-driven repayment plan
- Simplifies your monthly payments and servicer communications
Just be careful not to consolidate loans that are already PSLF-qualified unless it’s necessary. You don’t want to lose credit for payments you’ve already made.
What About Deferment or Forbearance?
If you’re struggling with payments, you might qualify for deferment or forbearance.
- Deferment pauses your payments and may stop interest from growing.
- Forbearance also pauses payments but usually adds interest.
These can help in the short term, but they don’t count toward forgiving student debt through PSLF. If you’re working for a qualifying employer, staying enrolled in an income-driven plan is often the better long-term move.
How to Start the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Process
Ready to begin? Follow these steps to get on track:
- Use the PSLF Help Tool to check if your employer qualifies
- Consolidate your loans if needed
- Choose an income-driven repayment plan and make every payment on time and in full
- Submit the Employer Certification Form annually
- Keep track of your payments and progress
Every step moves you closer to student loan forgiveness.
Did you know? You can switch employers at any time, but your new employer also needs to qualify for public service in order to maintain your eligibility. You can also skip payments as needed via deferment or forbearance–PSLF payments do not need to be consecutive.
Need Help Navigating Your Options?
We get it — sorting through deferment, student debt consolidation, and forgiveness rules can be overwhelming. But you don’t have to do it alone.
There are services and resources built just for nurses. They help you choose the right repayment plan, stay eligible for PSLF, and avoid costly mistakes.
You give so much to others. Let someone help guide you now.
Final Thoughts
Nurses show up every day to care for patients. It’s time your student loans got some care, too.
Between Public Service Loan Forgiveness, the NHSC and NCRP loan repayment programs, deferment, and student debt consolidation, there are real ways to make your loan burden lighter.
Take the first step today. Check your eligibility, explore your options, and move forward with a plan.
You’ve spent your career caring for others. Now let’s take care of your loans.
Need expert guidance?
At Docupop, we specialize in helping borrowers navigate the complexities of student loan repayment—so you don’t have to do it alone. One of our favorite topics to discuss is loan forgiveness, and we specialize in the PSLF program! Contact us today to get personalized support and ensure you’re on the right path to managing your student debt.
Don’t wait—take control of your student loans now!
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