| This article is an overview of ways to have other | | | | loan repayment that apply to health care workers. |
| people make student loan repayments for you, or at | | | | Under the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, |
| least of portion of them. These programs aren't for | | | | "full-time professionals engaged in health care |
| everyone, but the shoe probably fits quite a few | | | | practitioner occupations and health care support |
| people. | | | | occupations" and "medical specialists" can qualify for |
| Join The Military | | | | up to $10,000 in student loan repayments over a period |
| The SLRP (Student Loan Repayment Program) is | | | | of five years. Also, Nursing Education Loan |
| used by the military as a recruiting incentive. The Army | | | | Repayment Programs (NELRP) will pay up to 60% of |
| and Navy can repay up to $65,000 of student debt, | | | | student debt for nurses who work in a critical shortage |
| and the Air Force will pay up to $10,000. 15% of the | | | | facility. There are also student loan repayment |
| loan balance or $500 is paid each year, whichever is | | | | programs with the National Health Service Corps |
| greater. Reservists can also take advantage of this | | | | (NHSC) and the National Institute of Health. |
| program, but in lesser amounts (up to $20,000). There | | | | Federal Government Workers |
| are also a number of loan deferments possible for | | | | If you are employed by the federal government it is |
| people in the military. So if you are thinking about joining | | | | possible to obtain loan relief from the Federal Student |
| the military make sure you ask about the SLRP and | | | | Loan Repayment Program. This program is designed |
| make sure this benefit is specified in your enlistment | | | | to retain or attract talent, and the borrower must |
| agreement. Only federal student loans can be repaid in | | | | agree to stay with the agency making the debt |
| these programs. | | | | payments for 3 years. $10,000 of debt relief can be |
| Teachers | | | | paid each year up to a total of $60,000. |
| There are several programs available for teachers to | | | | Legal Workers |
| get help paying off their federal (not private) student | | | | In order to attract attorneys to become public |
| debt. The Stafford Loan Forgiveness Program gives | | | | defenders, the government has instituted the Loan |
| eligible teachers grants to repay student loan debt of | | | | Repayment for Civil Legal Assistance Attorneys |
| up to $5,000 after they have taught for 5 consecutive | | | | Program. There is a minimum service period of 3 |
| years in a low income school. Teachers can also | | | | years and up to $6,000 of student debt can be paid |
| qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness | | | | off each year with a maximum of $40,000 of debt |
| Program. After 10 years in public service a person's | | | | relief. |
| student loan balance can be forgiven. A teacher can | | | | Other Options |
| enroll in an IBR (Income Based Repayment) Plan during | | | | Of course friends and family can be asked at |
| those 10 years, and this will provide the lowest monthly | | | | graduation time to make a financial contribution that will |
| payments possible until the loan is forgiven after 10 | | | | go toward paying off student debt. A couple of |
| years. There are also some state programs available | | | | interesting web sites exist as well which give credit for |
| to help teachers pay off their student loan debt. Check | | | | many common purchases, and payments are made |
| the state government web site or call the education | | | | against student loans to help offset outstanding |
| department of your state government to inquire if any | | | | balances. Among these are Small amounts can build |
| programs are available that might help you. | | | | up over the 10 years or longer life of the loan and |
| Health Care Workers | | | | make a real impact. Every little bit counts and helps. |
| There are a number of federal programs for student | | | | |