Student Loan Forgiveness Programs for Nurses in New York

• You can get nursing loan forgiveness in NY if you work for a nonprofit or government employer. If not, income-driven repayment can still lead to forgiveness.

• Loan repayment programs offer thousands in debt relief, even for private loans. These can help cover your payments faster.

• The best option depends on your job, loan type, and how long you’ve been repaying. Check your eligibility before applying.

Nurses in New York have several loan forgiveness and repayment programs to help with their student debt. Some forgive your loans entirely, while others offer thousands in repayment assistance.

Whether you’re managing a heavy workload at a hospital, providing critical care in an underserved area, or balancing shifts with family responsibilities, student loans can feel like a burden you shouldn’t have to carry alone.

We know student loan forgiveness can feel confusing and uncertain. You might be wondering:

• Do I qualify for any of these programs?

• What happens if I don’t get approved?

• How long will it take before I actually see relief?

This guide breaks everything down step by step so you don’t waste time on programs that won’t help you.

Related: Do Nurses Qualify for Student Loan Forgiveness?

Here’s a quick look at the programs available to help you reduce or eliminate your student debt:

If you’re a nurse in New York, you might qualify for loan forgiveness based on where you work and how long you’ve been making payments.

For most nurses, two main programs can help:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program: It forgives your remaining federal loan balance after 10 years of working at least 30 hours a week for a government or nonprofit hospital, clinic, or another eligible employer. The best part? PSLF forgiveness is tax-free, even after temporary COVID-19 relief rules end this year. If you’re unsure whether your employer qualifies, check our PSLF-eligible hospital list before applying. Related: Do Nurses Qualify for PSLF?

• Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plan Forgiveness: If you don’t work for a government or nonprofit, this program is your next best option. It forgives your remaining loan balance after 20–25 years of payments based on your income and family size. After your final payment, your loan servicer tells the Education Department you qualify, and the rest of your balance is wiped out.

Loan repayment assistance programs are different from forgiveness programs like PSLF or IDR—but they can work alongside them to save you even more money. These programs often help cover the payments you’re already making under IDR, which means more money stays in your pocket.

Many of them have eligibility requirements that overlap with PSLF and IDR, so if you qualify for one, there’s a good chance you qualify for the other. And for nurses with private student loans, these programs can provide relief where forgiveness programs can’t.

Here’s how New York’s loan repayment programs can help:

New York State Nursing Faculty Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program

The New York State Nursing Faculty Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program helps registered nurses pursue academic careers by providing loan forgiveness.

• Who Qualifies: Nurses must be licensed in New York, hold a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing, and work as faculty at an accredited nursing school in New York. Applicants must be New York State residents for at least 12 months before applying and have eligible student loan debt from January 1, 2001, or later.

• How Much You Can Receive: Recipients get $8,000 per year for up to five years, with a maximum total of $40,000 in loan forgiveness.

• How to Apply: Applications are due by January 10, 2025. Submit your application through the HESC website.

Nurses Across New York (NANY) Loan Repayment Program

The Nurses Across New York Loan Repayment Program helps recruit and retain nurses in medically underserved areas. In exchange for a three-year service commitment, participants receive loan repayment assistance.

• Award Amount: Up to $25,000 for RNs and $10,000 for LPNs, distributed over three years (30% in year 1, 30% in year 2, 40% in year 3).

• Eligibility: Open to newly licensed RNs and LPNs in New York who work in underserved areas and provide direct patient care in qualifying facilities.

• How to Apply: Submit your application through the New York State Department of Health. Deadlines vary.

Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program

This program helps nurses reduce student debt in exchange for working in areas with critical shortages. Participants can receive up to 85% of unpaid nursing school loans through a service commitment.

• Award Amount: Covers 60% of eligible nursing education debt for a two-year service commitment, with an optional third year covering an additional 25%.

• Eligibility: Open to licensed RNs, APRNs, and nurse faculty who work full-time at a Critical Shortage Facility (CSF) or an accredited nursing school. Applicants must have graduated from an accredited U.S. nursing program.

• How to Apply: Submit your application through the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program page. Deadlines vary annually.

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Programs

The NHSC offers several repayment programs for nurses working in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs):

• NHSC Loan Repayment Program: Up to $75,000 for two years of full-time service.

• NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program: Up to $100,000 for nurses in rural substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facilities.

• NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program: Up to $75,000 for full-time service in SUD facilities.

• Who it’s for: Nurses in direct patient care roles working in qualifying HPSAs or medically underserved areas.

• How to apply: Apply via the NHSC website. Deadlines vary.

Looking for student loan forgiveness and repayment programs doesn’t have to be overwhelming. These trusted resources and organizations can help you find the right path:

• Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC): New York State’s financial aid agency provides details on programs like the Nursing Faculty Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program.

• NYC Health + Hospitals: The largest public healthcare system in the U.S. offers loan forgiveness opportunities for nurses working in their facilities. In 2024, a $5 million donation provided up to $75,000 in debt relief for over 120 behavioral health staff, helping many save for homes or their children’s futures.

• HRSA Nurse Corps: This federal program repays up to 85% of unpaid nursing loans for nurses working in critical shortage areas.

• New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) & ANA-NY: These organizations advocate for nurses and provide resources on forgiveness programs and career development.

If you’re still unsure about nursing loan forgiveness in NY, you’re not alone. Maybe you’ve spent hours trying to get answers from your loan servicer, only to feel more confused. Maybe you’ve talked to colleagues, searched online, and pieced together some options—but you’re not sure if you’re making the right choice.

That’s where we come in. We help nurses like you cut through the confusion, find the best loan forgiveness strategy, and take action. Whether you need confirmation that you’re on the right track or want someone to handle the process for you, we’re here to make it easier.

Book a call today, and let’s map out the best path to loan forgiveness—so you can stop stressing and focus on what really matters.

Related Readings:

• Student Loan Forgiveness for Medical Professionals

• Student Loans for Medical School

• NYC Student Loan Forgiveness

• Rural Healthcare Loan Forgiveness