Loan repayment and scholarship programs are offered by the Indian Health Service (IHS), the National Health Service Corps(NHSC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The IHS offers a Scholarship Program that is available for American Indians and Alaskan Natives at various educational levels. For further information, call (301) 443-6197. In addition, the IHS offers a Loan Repayment Program (LRP) that will pay participants up to $20,000/year in exchange for signing a 2-year service contract with an eligible Indian health program. The LRP will also pay an additional 20 percent annually to the Internal Revenue Service to offset the increased tax liability incurred by the participant. Participants who wish to extend their participation in the LRP for an additional year may request an extension. For further information or to request an application, call (301)443-3396 or access their web site at Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program.
The NHSC also offers a Scholarship Program and a LRP. For further information about these programs, call the following numbers or access their web site at http://bphc.hrsa.gov/.
NHSC Loan Repayment:
To obtain an application: (800) 221-9393
To speak with someone: (800) 435-6464 or (301) 594-4400
NHSC Scholarship:
To obtain an application: (800) 638-0824
To speak with someone: (800) 793-1547 or (301) 594-4410
Scholarship Recipients and Loan Repayors from IHS and NHSC have the option to serve their payback as Commissioned Corps officers as long as work sites are approved.
The NIH sponsors 4 LRPs that pay a maximum of $35,000 a year for contracts executed on or after November 13, 1998, toward participants' outstanding eligible educational debts. In return, participants must sign a contract agreeing to conduct qualified research activities as NIH employees. Participants may apply for additional 1-year renewal contracts and continue to receive loan repayment benefits. LRP participation is contingent upon NIH employment. For further information, access the web site at http://lrp.info.nih.gov or call (800) 528-7689 or (301) 402-5666.