Loan Repayment Programs
Financial incentives to recruit & retain health professionals in East Hawai'i.
Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program
Funded by the Hawai‘i State Legislature. HELP provides qualified educational loan debt repayment to health professionals licensed, or otherwise certified, to practice in and provide care to patients in Hawai‘i. All applicants who are selected for the HELP program and choose to participate are obligated to commit to a minimum of two (2) years of full-time or half-time service at a site serving patients in Hawai‘i.
Funding will be secured for the full contract amount (up to $50,000 in rural areas). After the initial contract period, participants may be eligible to extend their contract. However, as this is a state-funded program, continuation from year to year is subject to the availability of funds appropriated by the state legislature.
Interns, residents, or fellows currently in professional training in one of the recognized health professions may apply. Terms of loan repayment and other HELP programmatic terms and conditions may differ from already licensed or certified healthcare professionals.
Hawai'i State Loan Repayment Program (HSLRP)
The Hawaii State Loan Repayment Program (HSLRP) is a federal grant to pay off educational loans for primary care and behavioral health providers who care for patients at non-profit organizations in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas of Hawaii. It is designed to incentivize care in the areas of Hawaii where it is most needed.
All HSLRP sites are required to be public or nonprofit private entities located in and providing health services in HPSAs that see all patients regardless of their ability to pay.
Who's Eligible?
Providers to be considered for Hawaii State Loan Repayment Program include the following:
SLRP participants must have completed training in an accredited graduate training program in, and possess an active and valid license (without restrictions or encumbrances) to practice in one of the following eligible disciplines:
• MD: Allopathic Medicine
• DO: Osteopathic Medicine
• DDS/DMD: General and Pediatric Dentistry
• NP: Nurse Practitioner
• CNM: Certified Nurse-Midwife
• PA: Physician Assistant
• RDH: Registered Dental Hygienist
• HSP: Health Service Psychologist (Clinical and Counseling)
• LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• PNS: Psychiatric Nurse Specialist
• LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor
• MFT: Marriage and Family Therapist
• RN: Registered Nurse
• Pharm: Pharmacist
• Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselors licensed/credentialed/certified by their state of practice that meet educational requirements and master’s degree requirement.
Approved Primary Care Specialties for Physicians:
• Family Medicine (and osteopathic general practice)
• Internal Medicine
• Pediatrics
• Obstetrics/Gynecology
• Geriatrics
• Psychiatry
Approved Primary Care Specialties for Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants:
• Adult
• Family
• Pediatrics
• Psychiatry/mental health
• Geriatrics
• Women’s health
Shipper's Wharf Loan Repayment
The County of Hawaii provided monies to support loan repayment to physicians in the County of Hawaii in the form of Hawaii State Loan Repayment match in return for a two-year service commitment. This program also includes loan repayment to specialist providers since they are not eligible for loan repayment through the Hawaii State Loan Repayment program.
Hawai'i Island Access to Medical Care Fund
Qualifications for this subsidy program are: Graduation from a Hawaii Island High School and a five (5) year service commitment. Funding can be used as loan repayment match or can be paid directly to physician to get them started in practice or provide support to hiring practice to help with providing a competitive salary.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program forgives the remaining balance on your federal Direct Loans after you make 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying public service employer.
This program helps you manage your student loan debt while pursuing a career in public service. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is available to many employees working in public service, including all levels of government, states and municipalities, school districts, public hospitals, non-profit organizations, and more.
Barry Taniguchi Health Professions Subsidy Program
A legacy program created to support and develop access to high quality healthcare close to home instead of needing to fly off island for basic care and follow up healthcare services. Funding is available to health professionals practicing in rural areas across Hawaii. The idea is to create a neighbor island network that can robustly meet the access to care needs of our most vulnerable populations. Funding can be used to support training and subsidy support to health professionals in high need areas; including, but not limited to clinicians starting up a practice or joining and existing practice to support a competitive salary while the patient panel is being built. This program also provides matching funds for the Hawaii State Loan Repayment program and the Hawaii Island Access to Medical Care Fund.