Rural Health & Primary Care - State Loan Repayment Program

The New Hampshire State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) was established by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health Services under the provision of Chapter 410, Laws of NH 1994. The Rural Health & Primary Care Section administers the loan repayment program for New Hampshire. The SLRP helps to address health professional workforce shortages that may cause disparities in access to health care. The goal is to increase the number of primary health care providers serving in the state's Health Professional Shortages Areas (HPSAs), Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (MHPSAs), Dental Health Professional Shortage Area (DHPSAs), Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs) and Medically Underserved Population areas (MUPs). The State Loan Repayment Program offers licensed health professionals an opportunity to work in medically underserved areas and to receive partial payment toward their educational loans in exchange for their commitment to serving the uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid, and Medicare populations in New Hampshire. It is important to note, however, that any provider not completing his/her loan service requirement may be obligated to repay all the loan value paid under the program with a risk of penalties if obligations of repayment are not met in a satisfactory manner. Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) and the loan repayment contract will reflect that obligation if you are accepted into the program.

Eligibility Requirements

Licensed healthcare professionals in the following fields are eligible to apply for loan repayment contracts under the SLRP:

MDs:        - Family medicine
                 - Internal medicine
                 - Pediatrics

- Obstetrics/gynecology
- General psychiatry

General practitioners who have not completed residency training programs are not eligible.

DOs: - Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine

DDs: - General Practice Dentists (DDS. or DMD)

CPs: - Clinical or Counseling Psychologists (PhD or equivalent)

PAs: - Primary Care Physician Assistants

RDHs: - Registered Clinical Dental Hygienists

CNPs: - Primary Care Certified Nurse Practitioners

CNMs: - Certified Nurse Midwives

CSWs: - Licensed Clinical Social Workers (MA or PhD)

PNSs: - Psychiatric Nurse Specialists

MHCs: - Mental Health Counselors

LPCs: - Licensed Professional Counselors (MA or PhD)

MFTs: - Marriage and Family Therapists (MA or PhD)

An Applicant must:

Be a citizen or national of the United States.
Hold a current and unrestricted New Hampshire License/Certification appropriate to their specialty or field of practice.
Be employed in clinical practice at a public or non-profit private clinic located in either a HPSA, MHPSA, DHPSA or MUA/ MUP designated area in New Hampshire.
Provide medical services to all patients regardless of their ability to pay. In addition, the SLRP provider must offer a sliding discount-to-fee schedule based on current Federal Poverty Guidelines, accept Medicaid and Medicare assignments, and provide free care when medically necessary.
Be willing to commit to a three-year contract (full-time employee) or a two-year contract (part-time employee) with the State of New Hampshire to work in a federally designated medically underserved area.
Not have breached a prior service obligation, even if the obligation was subsequently fulfilled, to the federal, state or local government.
Not have a judgment lien against his/her property for a debt to the United States. Debtors with judgment liens for Federal debts are ineligible to receive Federal financial assistance.
Not have any Federal debt written off as not collectible or any Federal service or payment obligation waived.
Not have an outstanding contractual obligation for health professional service to the Federal Government (e.g. an active military obligation, SLRP, National Health Service Corps, Nursing Scholarship program).
Must agree to repay the State for breach of service, if loan repayment contract terms aren't fulfilled. Each health care provider entering into any SLRP contract agrees to complete a service obligation that runs the length of the contract. This is a legal responsibility and should not be taken lightly. Health care providers should carefully read the contract before signing it. Providers who do not complete their service obligations or fail to meet any of the contractual service requirements may face significant default provisions as described in the contract. For this reason, healthcare providers should intend to remain at the eligible practice site for the term of the contract.
Meet the minimum practice requirements described below to be eligible for the program.

Locating eligible employment is the responsibility of the healthcare provider. The provider should confirm program eligibility of the proposed work site before entering into employment agreements if they wish to be considered for the program. The following organizations frequently list employment opportunities in SLRP-eligible sites in New Hampshire: Bi-State Recruitment Center, 1-800-203-0234, or 3R Net.

Potential Award Amounts

The State of New Hampshire will offset undergraduate or graduate educational loans to full-time primary care physicians, dentists, and psychiatrists for $75,000 for 3-year commitment with opportunity to extend for an additional 2-years at $40,000 and full-time eligible licensed healthcare professionals for $45,000 for a 3-year commitment with an opportunity to extend 2-years at $20,000. Matching funds through the employer or community may be required to receive a loan repayment. (See Guidelines)

The State of New Hampshire will offset undergraduate or graduate educational loans to part-time primary care physicians, dentists, and psychiatrists for $27,500 for 2-year commitment with opportunity to extend for an additional 1-year at $10,000 and part-time eligible licensed healthcare professionals for $17,500 for a 2-year commitment with opportunity to extend for an additional 1-year renewal for $5,000. Matching funds through the employer or community may be required to receive a loan repayment. (See Guidelines)

Application Deadline

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed quarterly. Awards are based upon eligibility, health needs of N.H, and availability of funds. Early submission of completed applications is encouraged. (See Guidelines) An application that is not completed fully with all required documentation may have an impact on the decision process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is considered an eligible SLRP application?

An eligible application must be completed with all documentation up to date and meet all eligibility criteria outlined. An applicant must be employed full-time or part-time (see Guidelines), have accepted employment with a start date verified by the employer or be in the final stages of negotiating an employment contract with a healthcare facility located in a HPSA, MHPSA, DHPSA, MUA, MUP designated shortage area in NH.

Does filling a completed application with the SLRP guarantee the applicant will receive loan repayment benefits?

No. All SLRP contracts are contingent upon availability of funds; an applicant meeting all criteria; and the healthcare needs of New Hampshire. We must ensure that the place of employment is in a designated healthcare area, accepts Medicaid, Medicare, free care and has in place a sliding-fee-schedule. All parties must sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) before a contract is issued. The contract is not approved until the Division of Public Health Services' Director, and the Governor and Executive Council have approved the contract. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services is committed to assuring that all residents of NH have access to quality, affordable health care services.

What happens if a clinician does not complete his or her service commitment?

A clinician who fails to provide services as agreed in his/her contract may be subject to default penalties. A written letter by the participant or employer must be directed to the Section Administrator of the Rural Health & Primary Care Section explaining the reason for not completing his/her contract obligation for review to grant waivers on SLRP obligations.