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 HPLRP Application Applications will be accepted from September 1 through November 1, 2025 (All applications must be complete to be considered)
Repayment of Loans/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
The Health Professional Loan and Loan Repayment programs administered by the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) are designed to increase access to health care for Missourians in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). In parts of Missouri, a shortage of primary health care providers makes it difficult for low-income, uninsured, and geographically isolated Missourians to receive health care. By working with health care providers and communities, access to care can be improved for the underserved.
Pay Online - JetPay Payment Services
If you are making payments on your student loan or loan repayment award(s), you may utilize the on-line payment platform in lieu of mailing your payments to the department.
There are two Health Professional Loan and Loan Repayment programs offered through DHSS:
- Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP) awards funding for the repayment of eligible educational loans for qualified Health Care, Mental Health, and Public Health Professionals in Missouri.
- Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) awards funding for the repayment of eligible educational loans for qualified Health Professionals, Physicians, Dentists, and Psychiatrists in Missouri.
Contact Information
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
Before You Apply
- You must understand all the program provisions, penalties, and how contract breaches occur.
- There are serious penalties associated with breaching program contracts, which could result in paying back the entire loan amount awarded to you including interest.
Missouri Student Loan Repayment Program
Submit your application electronically here. Next application cycle will be September 1 thru November 1, 2026.
Program provisions found in SLRP Policies and Procedures and SLRP Program Regulations (19 CSR 10-3.030).
- Revisions to regulations are being made for the upcoming September 2026 application cycle.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
The applicant must meet all of the following:
- Eligible professions to be determined prior to September 2026
- A US citizen
- A Missouri resident
- Recipient must be willing to serve in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) in Missouri.
Maximum Loan Repayment Amounts Awarded per Year
- Eligible professions to be determined prior to September 2026
Repayment of Loans/Service Obligation
SLRP recipients earn forgiveness of their loan repayment award through a service obligation. The obligation is two years of service per award, which is based on full-time qualifying employment.
Qualifying employment is considered as full-time, direct patient care in a HPSA providing primary health care services. You can search for HPSAs here. Full-Time employment in the SLRP is considered forty (40) hours per week. Hospitalists, emergency medicine physicians, and positions in inpatient facilities, and prisons do not qualify.
Before You Apply
- You must understand all the program provisions, penalties, and how contract breaches occur.
- There are serious penalties associated with breaching program contracts, which could result in paying back the entire loan amount awarded to you including interest, and other penalties.
SLRP Rules, Policies and Procedures
- SLRP Policies and Procedures (Contact the program for policies and procedures)
SLRP Forms
- Applications are accepted from September 1 thru November 1, each calendar year
- SLRP Employment Verification Form
- Student and Employment Verification Forms and Electronic Submission
National Health Service Corps.
The National Health Service Corps. (NHSC) is a federal program aided by State Primary Care Offices in the recruitment and retention of primary medical, dental, and behavioral health care clinicians in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). The NHSC-approved sites are outpatient, ambulatory care settings that provide treatment regardless of patients’ abilities to pay for services. These sites accept Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement and offer services on a sliding fee schedule. The NHSC awards scholarships and loan repayment to primary care providers who commit to serving at NHSC-approved sites for contracted periods of time.
The Health Professional Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) is a competitive federal grant program that allocates funds to states to award funding for educational loan repayment to Missouri licensed practicing psychiatry, medical, and dental health professionals in exchange for services in Missouri areas with a shortage of mental health, medical, and dental professionals. If you have a current NHSC obligation, you are not eligible to apply for an award through the SLRP.
Contact Information
Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
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