Student Loan Repayment For Dentists: Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAPs) By State

When it comes to student loan repayment for dentists, there are many options. Importantly, Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAPs) for dentists can help you pay off student loans faster.

Dental professionals such as dentists, dental assistants and dental hygienists, for example, can benefit from LRAPs. Here is a state by state analysis of LRAPs that can help dental professional with student loan repayment assistance.

Alabama

Alabama does not currently have a separate, state-funded program. However, Alabama does participate in the National Health Service Corp Loan Repayment Program.

Alabama Board of Dental Scholarship Awards will repay student loans in the amount of $3,000 per year of service in approved communities for a maximum of four years.You can learn more about dental student loans in Alabama at http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/index.html.

Alaska

Overview: The SHARP-II program offers dentists student loan repayment assistance.

Amount: The award is up to $35,000 per year. For certain positions that are difficult to hire, the amount of student loan repayment assistance could increase to $47,000.

Eligibility: A qualified dentist must: a) work in an eligible role either full-time or part-time and b) sign a 3-year service agreement. It is possible to renew the three-year agreement.Goal: The goal of the SHARP-II program is to increase access to health care professionals in Alaska. Sharp-III is expected to expand student loan repayment for dentists. For more information, please visit: https://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Emergency/Pages/healthcare/sharp/default.aspx

Arizona

Overview:The Arizona State Loan Repayment Program helps dentists in Arizona repay student loan debt.Amount: The award ranges from $52,000 to $65,000 for an initial 2-year service agreement for at least 40 hours per week or at least half-time at 20 hours per week.

Eligibility: To become eligible for the Arizona State Loan Repayment Program, dentists must a) work at a qualified site, and b) agree to a 2-year service agreement. Loan assistance may be extended to up to 6 years. However, student loan repayment assistance for dentists may be reduced to $35,000 in subsequent years.

Goal: The goal for this student loan repayment program is to attract dentists to Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs).

Arkansas

The Delta Dental Foundation of Arkansas provides student loan assistance for dentists who work in underserved areas, including in rural areas.

California

Overview: The California State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) offers student loan repayment assistance for dentists and hygienists.

Amount: Eligible candidates who work full time can receive up to $50,000 in dental student loans repayment assistance for a 2-year service agreement. The service agreement can be extended. The programs pay 50% and the state pays the remaining 50%.

Eligibility: Eligible dentists and hygienists must work in designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program is to help attract qualified dentist and hygienists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas. The California Dental Association (CDA) also offers a student loan repayment grant, which provides loan assistance to dentists who work in public health. The grant provides $35,000 per year in dental student loans loan repayment assistance for a 3-year service agreement. Eligible dentists must practice in California and work in an undeserved community that is designated by the California Dental Association Foundation.

Colorado

Overview: The Colorado Health Service Corps offers dental student loans repayment assistance to general and pediatric dentists as well as hygienists.

Amount: Qualified dentists who work full time for a 3-year agreement may receive up to $90,000, and dental hygienists may be awarded $20,000. Half-time is also eligible, and the award amount is 50% of the full-time amount. Therefore, for half-time, dentists would receive $45,000 and dental hygienists would receive $10,000.

Eligibility: Eligible dentists and hygienists must practice in Health Professional Shortage Areas.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Colorado is to help attract qualified dentists and hygienists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas. Colorado also offers state loan repayment program. Eligible dentists and hygienists must agree to serve a 2-year term. Dentists can receive $10,000 to $25,000 depending on the number of patients they serve, while dental hygienists can receive $3,000 to $6,000.

Connecticut

Connecticut currently does not offer state student loan repayment assistance for dentists.

Dentists and hygienists should consult federal student loan repayment assistance.

Delaware

Overview:The Delaware State Loan Repayment Program helps general and pediatric dentists receive student loan repayment assistance.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $70,000 (for mid-level dentists) and up to $100,000 (for more experienced dentists). In many cases, mid-level dentists receive $35,000 and more experienced dentists receive $70,000.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must work full-time, which is 40 hours per week.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Delaware is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Georgia

Overview: The Georgia Oral Health Workforce Advancement Loan Repayment Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $75,000 over three years, with a minimum of a 1-year commitment for $25,000 in dental student loans repayment.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Georgia.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Georgia is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Illinois

Overview: The Illinois National Health Service Corps State Loan Repayment Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $50,000 over two years, with a minimum of a 2-year commitment for $25,000 in dental student loans repayment each year. Eligible dentists can extend their service for up to two more years for a total of four years.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must work full-time or part-time and serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Illinois.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Illinois is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Iowa

Overview: The Iowa Loan Repayment Program, along with The Primary Care Recruitment and Retention Endeavor (PRIMECARRE), helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $50,000, with a 2-year commitment. Part-time dentists can receive up to $25,000, with a 2-year commitment.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must work full-time or part-time and serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Iowa.

Goal:The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Iowa is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.Dentists can also receive student loan repayment assistance through the Delta Dental of Iowa Loan Repayment Program. This dental loans repayment program offers $50,000 each year for three years.Dentists can receive up to $100,000 in funding over 5 years through Fulfilling Iowa’s Need for Dentists (FIND) program, which helps to dentists establish dental practices in rural and undeserved areas.

Kansas

Overview: Kansas State Loan Repayment Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $25,000, with a 2-year commitment. Eligible dentists can extend their contract one year at a time for a maximum extension of three years.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Kansas.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Kansas is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas. The Kansas Initiative for New Dentists (KIND) Program works to attract dentists to underserved or rural areas of Kansas. Eligible dentists can receive up to $50,000 over a 3-year period.

Kentucky

Overview: The Kentucky State Loan Repayment Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $80,000, with a 2-year commitment. Eligible hygienists can receive up to $20,000. Since this program is a federal match program, there must be a match from your employer or other financial sources.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Kentucky.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Kentucky is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Louisiana

Overview: The Louisiana State Loan Repayment Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $30,000 per year, with a 3-year commitment. Eligible dentists can then extend their service agreement for an additional two more years and receive $24,000.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Louisiana.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Louisiana is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Maine

Overview: The Maine Dental Education Loan Repayment Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $20,000 per year, with a 2-year commitment. Eligible dentists can then extend their service agreement for an additional two years. With four years of service, eligible dentists could receive $80,000.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Maine.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Maine is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Maryland

Overview: The Maryland Dent-Care Loan Assistance Repayment Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $23,740 per year, with a 3-year commitment.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Maryland.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Maryland is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Loan Repayment Programis currently not accepting applications for student loan repayment assistance for dentists.

The program, when active, could offer up to $50,000 dental loans repayment assistance for a 2-year commitment in designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Michigan

Overview: The Michigan State Loan Repayment Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $200,000 over an 8-year period.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Michigan and work a minimum 2-year commitment.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Michigan is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Minnesota

Overview: The Minnesota State Loan Repayment Program helps dentists and dental hygienists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $20,000 per year for a 2-year commitment. Dentists and hygienists who work half-time may receive up to $10,000 per year.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Minnesota.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Minnesota is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Missouri

Overview:The Missouri Health Professional State Loan Repayment Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $50,000 for a 2-year commitment.Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Missouri.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Missouri is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Montana

Overview: The Montana State Loan Repayment Program helps dentists and dental hygienists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $15,000 per year for a 2-year commitment. Part-time dentists and dental hygienists can receive up to $7,500 per year.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Montana.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Montana is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Nebraska

Overview: The Nebraska Loan Repayment Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans. This program is a matching program, which means that the designated site matches the dollars from the state.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $40,000 per year for a 3-year commitment.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Nebraska.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Nebraska is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Nevada

Overview: The Nevada Health Service Corps helps dentists and dental hygienists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists and dental hygienists can receive student loan repayment assistance based on available funding in exchange for a 2 year-commitment.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Nevada.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Nevada is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

New Hampshire

Overview:The New Hampshire State Loan Repayment Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $75,000 per year for a 3-year commitment. Part-time dentists can receive up to $37,500 per year.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within New Hampshire.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in New Hampshire is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

New Jersey

Overview: The Primary Care Practitioner Loan Redemption Program of New Jersey helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $120,000 per year for a 2-year commitment, with a maximum of four years. A percentage of debt is paid after each year of service:

• 1 Year of Service: 18% of outstanding dental school student loan debt, up to $21,600
• 2 Years of Service: 26% of outstanding dental school student loan debt, up to $31,200
• 3 Years of Service: 28% of outstanding dental school student loan debt, up to $33,600
• 4 Years of Service: 28% of outstanding dental school student loan debt, up to $33,600

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within New Jersey.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in New Jersey is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

New Mexico

Overview: The New Mexico Health Professional Loan Repayment Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $25,000 per year for a 2-year commitment, with the option to extend the service agreement.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within New Mexico.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in New Mexico is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

North Carolina

Overview: North Carolina helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $100,000 per year for a 4-year commitment.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within North Carolina.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in North Carolina is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

North Dakota

Overview: The North Dakota Dental Loan Repayment Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $80,000 in student loan repayment assistance.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within North Dakota.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in North Dakota is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Ohio

Overview: Ohio Dentist Loan Repayment Program  (ODLRP) and Ohio Dental Hygienist Loan Repayment Program (ODHLRP) help dentists and dental hygienists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $50,000 in student loan repayment assistance for a 2-year commitment. Part-time dentists and dental hygienists are eligible for $25,000 for a 2-year service agreement. Eligible dentists and dental hygienists can receive up to $35,000 per year for a third and fourth year under their service agreement.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Ohio.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Ohio is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Oklahoma

Overview: The Oklahoma Dental Loan Repayment Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $25,000 per year in student loan repayment assistance.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Oklahoma. The program offers assistance to 25 dentists for 2-5 years.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Oklahoma is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Oregon

Overview: The Oregon Partnership State Loan Repayment Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up student loan repayment assistance on a percentage basis ranging from 10-20% of their outstanding student loan debt for a 2-year commitment.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Oregon.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Oregon is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Pennsylvania

Overview: The Pennsylvania Primary Care Loan Repayment Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $100,000 for full-time work for student loan repayment assistance for a 2-year commitment. Part-time dental work can yield $50,000 in dental student loan repayment assistance.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Pennsylvania.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Pennsylvania is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Rhode Island

Overview: The Rhode Island Health Professionals Loan Repayment Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive student loan repayment assistance for a 2-year commitment. Part-time dental work requires a 4-year commitment.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Rhode Island.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Rhode Island is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

South Carolina

Overview: The South Carolina Rural Dentist Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive student loan repayment assistance. Amounts may vary.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within South Carolina and treat at least 100 individual Medicaid patients.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Rhode Island is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

South Dakota

Overview: The South Dakota Department of Health Recruitment Assistance Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans through an incentive payment. The Delta Dental of South Dakota helps dentists with dental student loan repayment assistance.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive student loan repayment assistance. Amounts may be as much as double the tuition for the previous four years of the University of South Dakota School of Medicine. Requires a 3-year commitment in a rural community.The Delta Dental of South Dakota program awards vary from $40,000 to $100,000 for those dentists who work in Dental’s Mobile Dental Program.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within South Dakota and treat at least 100 individual Medicaid patients.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in South Dakota is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Tennessee

Overview:The Tennessee State Loan Repayment Program (TSLRP) helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $50,000 in student loan repayment assistance for a 2-year service agreement. After two years, the service agreement can be extended and eligible dentists can receive up to $20,000 in additional dental student loan assistance.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) in Tennessee.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Tennessee is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Vermont

Overview: The Vermont Educational Loan Repayment Program for Dentists helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $20,000 per year student loan repayment assistance by working at least 20 clinical hours per week and at least 45 weeks per year.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Vermont.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Vermont is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Virginia

Overview:The Virginia State Loan Repayment Program helps dentists and dental hygienists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans through a matching program.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive student loan repayment assistance up to $100,000 for a 2-year commitment. The maximum award is $140,000 for a 4-year commitment. The local site would need to match each dollar from the state program.

Eligibility:To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Virginia.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Virginia is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Washington

Overview:TheFederal-State Loan Repayment Program (FSLRP) and The Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP)helps dentists and dental hygienists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive student loan repayment assistance through these programs. The FSLRP program offers a maximum award of $70,000 with a 2-year service agreement. The HPLRP is a 3-year commitment with a maximum award of $75,000.Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Washington State.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Washington state is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Washington, D.C.

Overview: The DC Health Professional Loan Repayment Program helps dentists and dental hygienists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $143,137 of student loan repayment assistance over a 4-year period. Dentists who apply must already be employed with a Service Obligation Site (SOS). The dental student loan repayment assistance program is based on a percentage of outstanding debt:

• Year 1: 18% of outstanding dental student loan debt
• Year 2: 26% of outstanding dental student loan debt
• Year 3: 28% of outstanding dental student loan debt
• Year 4: 28% of outstanding dental student loan debt

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Washington, D.C.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Washington, D.C. is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

West Virginia

Overview: The West Virginia State Loan Repayment Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive student loan repayment assistance up to $40,000 per year for a 2-year commitment. Eligible dentists can extend the service agreement for an additional 2 years for $25,000 per year. The maximum award is $90,000 for a 4-year commitment.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within West Virginia.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in West Virginia is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Wisconsin

Overview: The Wisconsin Dental Loan Repayment Assistance Program helps dentists receive student loan repayment assistance for dental student loans.

Amount: Eligible dentists can receive up to $50,000 of student loan repayment assistance for a 3-year commitment. Dental hygienists can receive up to $25,000.

Eligibility: To be eligible for student loan repayment for dentists, eligible dentists must serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSA) within Wisconsin.

Goal: The goal of this dental student loan repayment program in Wisconsin is to help attract qualified dentists to designated Health Professional Shortages Areas.

Wyoming

The Wyoming Healthcare Professional Loan Repayment Program is currently not funded so check back for updates.

Related Posts