The Minnesota Department of Health recently issued a reminder that applications for the nurse loan forgiveness program will be accepted until December 1, 2011.

The Minnesota Department of Health Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC) administers the nurse loan forgiveness program for the purpose of recruiting and retaining health care professionals to needed areas and facilities in Minnesota.

To be eligible, a prospective participant must submit an application to the ORHPC, during the application cycle of July 1–December 1, while completing their final year of a licensure-preparing LPN or RN nurse program. The application scoring and selection of participants will occur in February 2012. All applicants will be notified in March 2012 if they have or have not been selected.

The nurse loan forgiveness program provides funds for repayment of qualified educational loans for licensed practical or registered nurses. Applicants are responsible for securing their own educational loans. This is a competitive selection process. Selections are made based on suitability for practice, as indicated by experience or training as noted on an application, as well as other relevant factors. Participants must plan to practice for at least 30 hours per week, for at least 45 weeks per year, for a minimum of three years in a licensed nursing home or intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities in Minnesota.

ORHPC will make an annual payment to the participant in the amount of up to $3,750, not to exceed a total of $15,000 for the maximum four-year period or the balance of the designated loan(s), whichever is less. Loan forgiveness payments made to participants under the loan forgiveness program are considered exempt from state and federal income taxes beginning after December 31, 2008.

Access the application for the nurse loan forgiveness program here, along with additional rules and guidelines for participation in the program.

Heidi Holste
952.851.2482
hholste@careproviders.org

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