Illinois National Health Service Corps State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)

The Illinois SLRP is experiencing a gap in funding due to the federal notice of funding opportunity through NHSC. At this time, the program is not accepting new applicants. Recipients eligible for renewal with a current end date prior to December 1, 2025 are encouraged to submit their renewal application through the new platform. Current recipients with a current end date after December 1, 2025 are encouraged to apply in 2026 and will be considered as a renewal at that time.

The program’s goal is to assist communities in recruiting health care professionals willing to practice in a federal Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) in exchange for program funding to assist in educational loan repayment.

Who Can Apply?

You can apply if you’re a licensed health care provider in Illinois and work (or plan to work) in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). The eligible provider types include:

Physicians (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, OB/GYN, Pediatrics)
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) - includes Nurse Practitioners and Certified Nurse Midwives
Physician Assistants
Dentists
Pharmacists
Psychiatrists

To qualify, you must:

Be a U.S. citizen
Have a valid Illinois license
Not be in default on any federal debt
Be ready to treat all patients, no matter their ability to pay
Not have any other service obligation

What Facilities Qualify?

To take part in the program, your workplace must be:

In a HPSA
A nonprofit or public facility
Accepting Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP patients
Offering discounts for patients with limited income
Willing to serve everyone, no matter their ability to pay is

Facilities can include:

FQHCs and FQHC Look-Alikes
Rural Health Clinics
Critical Access Hospitals
Public health departments
Community mental health centers
Free or mobile clinics
School-based health programs
Correctional facilities

How Much Loan Help Can You Get?

If accepted, you could receive loan repayment help for up to six years. The maximum amount of loan repayment is based on qualifying educational loan debt.

1st Agreement: 2-year service obligation for $50,000
2nd Agreement: 1-year service obligation for $20,000
3rd Agreement: 1-year service obligation for $20,000
4th Agreement: 1-year service obligation for $10,000
5th Agreement: 1-year service obligation for $10,000

Part-time recipients will receive half of the funding listed below for the same service obligation.

What’s Expected from You?

To remain eligible and in good standing, the provider must:

Commit to an initial 2-year contract, 1-year commitment for renewals
Apply all money received directly to the eligible loan balance
Work full-time (at least 40 hours/week, with 32 hours in direct care) or half-time (at least 20 hours/week, with 16 hours in direct care)
Stay at your approved worksite (or get permission to transfer)
Submit quarterly reports and stay in good standing with the program.

How Do I Apply?

Application Period

August 1 – September 30

If funds remain after initial application period, an additional application period will open: January 1–31 and April 1–30

Providers

Complete the Provider Information Sheet and submit it

Sites

Complete the application via EGrAMS for all providers in one application.