CALIFORNIA – California offers several loan repayment programs for healthcare professionals. Applications are coming due soon.
According to a 2020 report, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) found that the median medical school debt is $200,000 for graduates.
Eligible health professionals can apply for the following financial assistance programs to repay student loans.
HCAI loan repayment programs
The California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) offers loan repayment assistance to medical professionals that work in underserved communities.
Allied Healthcare Loan Repayment Program
Eligible applicants may receive loan repayment grant awards of up to $16,000 in exchange for a 12-month service obligation practicing and providing direct patient care at one or more County Medical Services Program (CMSP)-contracted provider sites in any of the 35 CMSP-designated counties.
Due date: June 30, 2025
Bachelor of Science Nursing Loan Repayment Program
In exchange for a 12-month service obligation to serve medically underserved areas and/or in a qualified facility in California, registered nurses may receive a loan repayment of up to $15,000.
Due date: June 13, 2025
Licensed Mental Health Services Provider Education Program (LMH)
In exchange for a 12-month service obligation to serve medically underserved areas and/or in a qualified facility in California, mental health professionals may receive a loan repayment of up to $15,000.
Due date: June 13, 2025
Licensed Vocational Nurse Loan Repayment Program
In exchange for a 12-month service obligation to serve medically underserved areas and/or in a qualified facility in California, licensed vocational nurses may receive a loan repayment of up to $8,000.
Due date: June 13, 2025
Steven M. Thompson Physician Corps Loan Repayment Program
In exchange for a 36-month service obligation to serve medically underserved areas and/or in a qualified facility in California, physicians may receive a loan repayment of up to $105,000.
Due date: June 13, 2025
California State Loan Repayment Program
Repayment of educational loans to health professionals up to $50,000, who must commit to practice in medically underserved areas in public or non-profit entities for a minimum of two years.
Due date: To be determined
Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program
The goal for the Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program is to reduce educational debt for behavioral health professionals who commit to serving Medi-Cal members and underserved communities.
Eligible behavioral health practitioners can receive up to $240,000 in loan repayment with commitment to a multi-year service obligation.
Due date: August 15, 2025
CalHealthCares
CalHealthCares administers loan repayment on educational debt for California physicians and dentists who provide care to Medi-Cal patients, which it says represent one-third of Californians and half of the state’s children.
CalHealthCares
Eligible physicians can apply for up to $300,000 in loan repayment in exchange for a five-year service obligation.
Eligible dentists can apply for a loan repayment up to $300,000 in exchange for a five-year service obligation or a Practice Support Grant up to $300,000 in exchange for a ten-year service obligation.
Due date: To be determined
