Rural Health
Funding by Topic: Loans, loan repayment, and loan forgiveness for health careers
Summaries of funding programs are provided by RHIhub for your convenience. Please contact the funder directly for the most complete and current information.
Maine Dental Education Loan Repayment Program
Loan repayment assistance for dentists and certain dental auxiliary health professionals who agree to practice in a Dental Health Professional Shortage Area or Medically Underserved Population Areas in Maine.
Loan repayment assistance for dentists and certain dental auxiliary health professionals who agree to practice in a Dental Health Professional Shortage Area or Medically Underserved Population Areas in Maine.
Geographic coverage: Maine
Application Deadline: Jun 1, 2026
Sponsor: Finance Authority of Maine
Application Deadline: Jun 1, 2026
Sponsor: Finance Authority of Maine
Maine Health Professions Loan Program
A need-based, competitive loan for Maine students pursuing postgraduate medical, dental, and veterinary education.
A need-based, competitive loan for Maine students pursuing postgraduate medical, dental, and veterinary education.
Geographic coverage: Maine
Application Deadline: Jun 1, 2026
Sponsor: Finance Authority of Maine
Application Deadline: Jun 1, 2026
Sponsor: Finance Authority of Maine
Illinois Veterans' Home Medical Provider Loan Repayment Program
Loan repayment assistance for certain medical professionals to pursue or continue careers at veterans' homes in Illinois.
Loan repayment assistance for certain medical professionals to pursue or continue careers at veterans' homes in Illinois.
Geographic coverage: Illinois
Application Deadline: Jun 30, 2026
Sponsor: Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Application Deadline: Jun 30, 2026
Sponsor: Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Hawaii Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program (HELP)
Loan repayment assistance for certain healthcare professionals in Hawaii in return for at least 2 years of service in rural and other medically underserved areas of the state.
Loan repayment assistance for certain healthcare professionals in Hawaii in return for at least 2 years of service in rural and other medically underserved areas of the state.
Geographic coverage: Hawaii
Application Deadline: Jul 5, 2026
Sponsor: Hawaii and Pacific Basin Area Health Education Centers
Application Deadline: Jul 5, 2026
Sponsor: Hawaii and Pacific Basin Area Health Education Centers
Oklahoma Nursing Student Assistance Program
Forgivable loans for Oklahoma students pursuing nursing degrees in return for agreeing to practice in Oklahoma upon graduation. Priority is placed on practicing in rural communities.
Forgivable loans for Oklahoma students pursuing nursing degrees in return for agreeing to practice in Oklahoma upon graduation. Priority is placed on practicing in rural communities.
Geographic coverage: Oklahoma
Application Deadline: Jul 15, 2026
Sponsor: State of Oklahoma Health Care Workforce Training Commission
Application Deadline: Jul 15, 2026
Sponsor: State of Oklahoma Health Care Workforce Training Commission
Colorado State Dental Loan Repayment Program
Loan repayment assistance for dentists and dental hygienists in Colorado who agree to serve a certain number of underserved patients each month.
Loan repayment assistance for dentists and dental hygienists in Colorado who agree to serve a certain number of underserved patients each month.
Geographic coverage: Colorado
Application Deadline: Sep 30, 2026
Sponsor: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Application Deadline: Sep 30, 2026
Sponsor: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Rural Illinois Medical Student Assistance Program (RIMSAP)
Loans and/or recommendations for University of Illinois Medical School students wishing to specialize in family practice or another primary healthcare field and who agree to practice in an approved rural community in Illinois.
Loans and/or recommendations for University of Illinois Medical School students wishing to specialize in family practice or another primary healthcare field and who agree to practice in an approved rural community in Illinois.
Geographic coverage: Illinois
Application Deadline: Nov 1, 2026
Sponsors: Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois State Medical Society
Application Deadline: Nov 1, 2026
Sponsors: Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois State Medical Society
Alabama Board of Medical Scholarship Awards
Forgivable loans for students enrolled in an Alabama medical school who agree to practice primary care in a pre-approved community in Alabama upon graduation.
Forgivable loans for students enrolled in an Alabama medical school who agree to practice primary care in a pre-approved community in Alabama upon graduation.
Geographic coverage: Alabama
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: State of Alabama
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: State of Alabama
Alaska Health Care Professionals Workforce Enhancement Program (SHARP – 3)
Direct incentive payments and loan repayment assistance for a wide range of healthcare professionals in exchange for working in an approved area in Alaska.
Direct incentive payments and loan repayment assistance for a wide range of healthcare professionals in exchange for working in an approved area in Alaska.
Geographic coverage: Alaska
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Alaska Department of Health
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Alaska Department of Health
Alaska State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
Loan repayment assistance for certain healthcare professionals in exchange for working in a Health Professional Shortage Area of Alaska.
Loan repayment assistance for certain healthcare professionals in exchange for working in a Health Professional Shortage Area of Alaska.
Geographic coverage: Alaska
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Alaska Department of Health
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Alaska Department of Health