Alaska Student Loan Forgiveness for Nurses Who Qualify

• You may qualify for Alaska student loan forgiveness for nurses through federal programs, depending on your job and loan type.

• SHARP and IHS offer extra repayment help if you’re working in rural, tribal, or high-need areas across the state.

• Even with private loans, you can still lower your balance through SHARP, settlement, or refinancing.

Alaska nurses have access to student loan programs that can lower or eliminate what they owe. You may qualify for federal forgiveness through the PSLF, IDR, or Nurse Corps programs. The state also offers repayment support through SHARP and IHS.

Even with private loans, you still have options to reduce your balance through settlement, refinancing, or employer help.

This guide breaks down what applies to your situation and how to take action without wasting time.

Working as a nurse in Alaska opens the door to several federal programs that can shrink or erase your student loan balance.

Whether you’re in a remote clinic, a tribal health center, or a city hospital, you may already qualify without realizing it.

Here are three federal options every Alaska nurse should know:

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

If you work full-time for a nonprofit or government health facility (a tribal health organization, public hospital, or rural clinic), you could wipe out your entire balance after 10 years of payments.

To qualify, you’ll need:

• Direct Loans

• An income-driven repayment (IDR) plan

• 120 monthly payments while working for a PSLF qualifying employer

Many Alaska nurses meet the employer requirement without realizing it, especially if you’re working in underserved or tribal areas. Check our PSLF guide to learn more.

Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Forgiveness

No nonprofit job? You can still use an IDR plan to lower your monthly payment and earn forgiveness after 20 or 25 years.

What to expect:

• Monthly payments based on your income, not your debt

• Possible $0 monthly payment if your income is low enough

• Forgiveness after 20–25 years (with no federal tax on the amount forgiven through 2025)

IDR is a good fallback if PSLF doesn’t fit your job situation or if you’re just starting out.

Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program

This is one of the few nurse-specific forgiveness programs out there that works well in Alaska, where many facilities qualify as high-need.

You could get up to 85% of your student loans forgiven if you commit to working:

• 2 years at a Critical Shortage Facility = 60% forgiven

• 3rd year optional = another 25% forgiven

The Nurse Corps LRP application is competitive, but it’s one of the fastest ways to clear your balance.

Alaska rewards healthcare professionals who help bridge gaps in care across the state.

Several programs offer targeted loan repayment benefits for nurses committed to serving in high-need areas:

• The SHARP Program provides loan repayment assistance for nurses who work in approved healthcare facilities across the state. It’s open to registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, and nurse faculty in high-need roles. Learn more in our guide to state student loan forgiveness in Alaska.

• The Indian Health Service (IHS) Loan Repayment Program helps nurses serving Alaska Native communities through IHS or tribal health organizations. Eligible nurses can earn substantial repayment support in exchange for a two-year service commitment.

Not every nurse in Alaska has federal loans. Many carry private student debt, and while that means you’re locked out of PSLF and federal forgiveness, you still have options to cut your balance or lower your payments.

Here’s what you can do:

1. SHARP Might Still Help

Alaska’s SHARP program isn’t just for federal loans. If your employer participates and your private loans are eligible, you could still get up to $35,000 per year in repayment help.

Ask your HR department or clinic admin if your site is enrolled in SHARP or willing to become a partner.

2. You Can Negotiate a Settlement

Private lenders don’t offer forgiveness, but they do settle. If you’re behind—or headed for default—you may be able to negotiate a lump-sum payoff for less than what you owe.

What that usually looks like:

• After 6+ months of missed payments, lenders may settle for 40–60% of the balance

• You’ll need a lump sum or short-term payment plan to close the deal

• A settlement will hurt your credit, but it can wipe out the debt for good

This route works best if you’re already in collections or can’t afford to keep up with your payments.

3. Consider Refinancing (But Only If You’re Stable)

If you have good credit and steady income, refinancing can help. You might get a lower interest rate or monthly payment, but this is only a fit if:

• You don’t plan to use SHARP or Nurse Corps

• You’re not behind on payments

• You understand that refinancing permanently removes federal protections (if your loan was originally federal)

Refinancing is a tool, not forgiveness. Be sure the math checks out before you sign.

Alaska student loan forgiveness for nurses is available through a mix of federal and state programs, especially if you’re serving in a nonprofit, rural, or tribal healthcare setting.

And even with private loans, you still have options. From SHARP support to settlements or refinancing, there are ways to reduce what you owe and move forward with less stress.

Not sure which path fits your situation?

Book a call with our student loan expert.

We’ll walk through your loan details, job history, and goals. Then give you a clear forgiveness plan to use, or find the next best way to lower your debt.

Related Readings:

• State Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

• Student Loan Forgiveness for Healthcare Workers

• Are Nurses Eligible for PSLF