docsArizona needs more doctors to help take care of our residents’ various health issues but we are challenged with recruiting enough especially in the rural communities.  The National Health Service Corps has a program called the  Student to Service Loan Repayment Program which is designed to attract newly trained physicians to work in rural, underserved areas.  The program allows 4th year medical students pursuing a primary care residency to get annual loan repayment while still in medical school or residency if they commit to serve in underserved communities.

In exchange for service in a high need Health Professional Shortage Area a medical student may receive tax-free loan repayment of up to $30,000 annually or up to $120,000 for three years of full-time service or for six years of part-time service.  Medical students can benefit by reducing their medical student loan debt by more than half.

This 2015 “Students to Service” application cycle is open until November 13, 2014.  If you know an interested medical student, encourage them to review the Students to Service Application and Program Guidance for additional instructions.  Click here to start an application.  For more information contact Ana Roscetti, Workforce Programs Section Manager.