Health Professions Loan Assistance Program (HPLAP)

The Health Professions Loan Assistance Program is designed to provide incentives for physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs) registered dental hygienists (RDHs) and certified nurse midwives (CNMs) to practice in Wisconsin rural and urban medical shortage areas.

Physicians and dentists can receive up to $50,000* and PAs, CNMs, NPs, and RDHs can receive up to $20,000* in loan repayment over a three year period, specifically:

• Physicians and dentists can receive up to $50,000 and NPs, PAs, RDHs and CNMs can receive up to $25,000 in loan repayment assistance over a three year period at the following rate:
• In the first and second year, 40 percent of the principal balance or a maximum of $20,000 for physicians and dentists, and $10,000 for other professions.
• In the third year, 20 percent of the principal balance or a maximum of $10,000 for physicians and dentists and $5,000 for other professions.

• Physicians and dentists who are board-eligible or board-certified in the specialties of Family Practice, General Internal Medicine, General Pediatrics and Obstetrics can participate in the program.
• NPs, PAs, RDHs and CNMs if they are licensed, have the appropriate certification and will be practicing primary care in a primary-care setting.

Eligible practice sites are the health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) designated by the federal Department of Health and Human Services.  These HPSAs include high-need areas in both rural and urban locations.

Contact John Eich, Wisconsin Office of Rural Health, at (800) 385-0005 or visit the WORH website and click on Loan Assistance