Student Loan Forgiveness for Doctors & Physician Assistants

Federal and state student loan repayment and forgiveness programs open to doctors & physician assistants, summarized from official sources with the date we last checked each one.

Check which programs fit you

Federal programs for doctors & physician assistants

NHSC Loan Repayment Program

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Health care Physicians & PAs Dental Mental & behavioral health

Award: Up to $75,000
Who it's for: Licensed primary care, dental and behavioral health clinicians.
Service required: Two years at an approved site in a Health Professional Shortage Area.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Discharge

U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid

Any field Physicians & PAs

Award: Eligible federal loans discharged
Who it's for: Borrowers who are totally and permanently disabled.
Service required: Documentation from the VA, SSA, or a physician.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

NIH Loan Repayment Programs

National Institutes of Health

Health care Researchers Nurses Physicians & PAs Dental Mental & behavioral health Pharmacists Veterinarians

Award: Up to $50,000 a year
Who it's for: Researchers with a doctoral-level degree doing qualifying biomedical or behavioral research, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and veterinarians in research.
Service required: Two-year (or longer) contract to do qualifying research.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program

Indian Health Service (HHS)

Health care Rural service Nurses Physicians & PAs Dental Mental & behavioral health Pharmacists

Award: Up to $50,000
Who it's for: Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, behavioral health and other health clinicians serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Service required: Initial two-year service commitment at an eligible Indian health program site.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Health care Rural service Nurses Physicians & PAs Mental & behavioral health Pharmacists

Award: Up to $100,000 for full-time service
Who it's for: Physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, social workers, counselors and other clinicians treating substance use disorders in rural communities.
Service required: Three years at a rural NHSC-approved substance use disorder treatment facility.

The 2026 cycle accepted applications Jan 30 to Mar 31, 2026; check the official page for the next cycle.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Health care Nurses Physicians & PAs Mental & behavioral health Pharmacists

Who it's for: Licensed clinicians, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, counselors and other behavioral health professionals, providing substance use disorder treatment.
Service required: Service at an NHSC-approved substance use disorder treatment facility.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid

Any field Public service

Award: Remaining Direct Loan balance forgiven
Who it's for: Borrowers working full time for a government or qualifying nonprofit employer.
Service required: 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan.

Last checked Oct 21, 2026 · Official source ↗

State programs for doctors & physician assistants

Is there student loan forgiveness for doctors & physician assistants?

Yes. We found 6 federal and 32 state programs that can help doctors & physician assistants, each linked to its official source. Most loan repayment programs require a service commitment, often in a shortage area.

Do doctors & physician assistants qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness?

If you work full time for a government agency or a qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit and have Direct Loans on a qualifying repayment plan, you can qualify for PSLF after 120 qualifying payments, whatever your job title.

Do I have to pay to apply?

No. Official loan repayment and forgiveness programs are free to apply for.