Loan Repayment Programs
Please review external loan repayment programs below. These are outside of our department and school, so please reach out to the agency directly about these opportunities.
Mental Health Loan Repayment Program
This program incentivizes mental health professionals to provide therapy or counseling in underserved areas of West Virginia. For more details on eligibility, service obligation, and qualifying practice sites, visit the program's page.
Eligibility:
- Must have educational debt of at least $10,000.
- Must be a graduate of an accredited program and licensed in a mental health field.
- Must work full-time or part-time in an underserved area, offering individual or group therapy as the primary focus.
Contact:
Jordyn Reed, 304-558-0838
Statewide Therapist Loan Repayment (STLR)
The Statewide Therapist Loan Repayment (STLR) program, managed by the West Virginia
Department of Human Services, offers loan repayment for master's level therapists,
child psychiatrists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners.
- Master’s Level Therapists: Up to $35,000 for a 2-year service commitment with a qualified employer.
- Child Psychiatrists & Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners: Up to $100,000 for a 2-year service commitment.
Eligibility: Applicants must be employed by eligible West Virginia employers, including CCBHCs, OBMATs, LBHCs, and FQHCs. Preference is given to individuals in recovery.
Contact:
Brandi Schoolcraft, 304-352-5617
Health Sciences Service Program
Social work students in their final year of a graduate program, aiming to become
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSW), are eligible for a $15,000
award.
See application submission requirements.
Eligibility:
- Must be in the final year of a graduate social work program.
- Must plan to practice as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in West Virginia.
Contact:
Jordyn Reed, 304-558-0838
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Social workers employed full-time by government or qualifying nonprofit organizations
may be eligible for PSLF, which forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans
after 120 qualifying payments under an income-driven repayment plan or the 10-year
Standard Repayment Plan.
Eligibility:
- Must work for a U.S. government entity (federal, state, local, or tribal) or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
- Must have Direct Loans.
- Must make 120 qualifying payments while employed full-time by a qualifying employer.
- Submit a PSLF form via the PSLF Help Tool to check employer eligibility and certify your employment. Re-certify employment annually and when changing employers.
NHSC Loan Repayment Program for Social Workers
- Must work in an eligible discipline, such as behavioral or mental health.
- Serve at an NHSC-approved site in a HPSA.
- U.S. citizens with qualifying student loan debt.
- Maternity Care Target Area scoring for maternity care providers.
- A $5,000 enhancement award for Spanish-language proficiency.
NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program
- Commitment: 3 years at an NHSC-approved SUD treatment site in a HPSA.
- Awards: Up to $80,000 for full-time and $42,500 for half-time participants.
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens with qualified student loan debt, licensed in an eligible dis cipline , and working at an NHSC-approved SUD facility.
- A $5,000 award enhancement is available for Spanish-language proficiency, if you pass a language competency assessment.
- Priority is given to those with specialized SUD training, working in opioid treatment programs, or holding relevant licenses/certifications.
The NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program (RCLRP) is designed for providers addressing the opioid epidemic in rural communities. In exchange for loan repayment, participants commit to serving at NHSC-approved substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facilities in rural Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
Key Details:
- Commitment: 3 years of service at an NHSC-approved SUD treatment facility in a rural HPSA.
- Awards: Up to $105,000 for full-time participants and $55,000 for half-time participants.
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens with qualified student loan debt, licensed in an eligible discipline, and working at or hired by an NHSC-approved rural SUD facility by the application deadline.
Additional Benefits:
- A $5,000 award enhancement is available for Spanish-language proficiency, with a passing score on a language competency assessment.
- Preference is given to those working at Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) facilities, with specialized SUD training or certifications (e.g., master’s-level SUD counselors or X-waiver holders).
Application Process:
- Submit a complete online application, including required documents.
- Application status and updates are available through the Bureau of Health Workforce Customer Service Portal.
- Final notifications are sent by September 30.
For more details, visit the NHSC website.