Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP)
The Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP), administered by the Department of Health and Senior Services’ (DHSS) Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC), provides forgivable loans for the purpose of repaying existing educational related loans for health care, mental health, and public health professionals, in exchange for a 2-year service obligation in an underserved area.
Submit your application electronically through the online
Health Professional Loan Repayment Program Application
Applications will be accepted from September 1 through December 1, 2024.
(The close date has been extended from the previous date of November 1, 2024)
Eligibility
All applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Missouri licensed, if applicable to profession;
- A United States citizen;
- A Missouri resident; and
- Willing to serve in a Missouri area of defined need, such as a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA).
Professional and Practitioner types eligible to receive HPLRP loans from the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) will be determined each year by the DHSS Director based on evidence associated with the greatest needs in the best interest of the public. These will be contingent upon consultation with:
- Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, Office of Workforce Development
- Department of Mental Health
- Other successor agencies of the above referenced agencies.
Eligible Professionals for Application Cycle September 1 through November 1, 2024.:
Health Care Professions
- Cardiologist
- Physical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Respiratory Therapist
Mental Health Professions that treat substance use and opioid use disorders
- Licensed and provisional professional counselor
- Licensed behavior analyst
- Licensed assistant behavior analyst
- Licensed and provisional licensed psychologist
Public Health Professions
- Public Health Nurse
Maximum Loan Repayment Amounts Awarded Per Year
- Eligible awardees may receive up to $65,000 to be paid toward their qualifying educational debt.
Profession Area |
Degree |
Award amounts |
|---|---|---|
Licensed health and mental health practitioners |
Doctorate |
$65,000.00 |
Licensed health or mental health providers |
Bachelor's or Master's |
$35,000.00 |
Public health professionals |
Bachelor's or Higher |
$20,000.00 |
Licensed health or mental health providers |
Associate's |
$10,000.00 |
Application Information
Before you apply:
- Carefully understand all of the program provisions found in 19 CSR 10-3.060, including:
- Program provisions;
- How contract breaches occur; and
- Penalties for contract breaches, such as the obligation to pay back the entire loan amount awarded including interest accrued at an annual interest rate as outlined in the contract terms.
Click here to apply: HPLRP Electronic Application
Repayment of Loans/Service Obligation
- Loan recipients earn forgiveness their loan repayment award through a service obligation.
- The service obligation runs for a minimum of 2-years of service per award, which is based on full-time qualifying employment.
- Qualifying employment is considered as full-time, 40 hours per week, in an area of defined need determined by DHSS.
- Loan recipients are required to provide proof of employment by completing an Employment Verification (EV) form annually or upon request from the DHSS.
- HPLRP Employment Verification Form
Contact Information
Address any questions or concerns to:
Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
P.O. Box 570, 930 Wildwood
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
Phone: 573-751-6441
Email (Preferred Method of Contact): DHSS.LoanRepayment@health.mo.gov