Health Professional Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program

Program Administration

The Health Professional Loan Repayment and Scholarship program was created to address the critical shortage of health care professionals statewide. The Loan Repayment provides loan payment assistance to licensed primary care health professionals. The Scholarship provides scholarships to students training to become primary care health professionals. In return, program participants agree to provide primary care health care in rural or underserved urban areas with designated shortages.

The Loan Repayment provides up to $25,000 per year for the first three years, and up to $35,000 per year in the fourth and fifth years. Scholarship awards vary by educational program.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Washington State Department of Health jointly administer these programs. In 2004, about 178 health professionals worked in underserved areas in Washington as a result of this program.

Information for Facilities

A facility interested in becoming an eligible site for loan repayment must submit an application. The state's Department of Health mails applications in July to institutions, medical, dental, and long-term care facilities. The deadline to submit applications is the first week of September. If you would like a site application, please contact Nicole Fernandus.

State Laws and Rules

State Statute – RCW 28B.115
State Rules and Regulations – WAC 250-25

For additional program information:
Health Professional Loan Repayment
Health Professional Scholarship Program

Contact:
Kathy McVay
Washington State Department of Health
Phone: 360.236.2816