Student Loan Forgiveness in Nebraska: Know Your Options

• Most Nebraska loan forgiveness programs require a service commitment. Healthcare workers, teachers, and attorneys can qualify by working in high-need areas—some programs require employer matching funds.

• Federal loan forgiveness is another option. PSLF and IDR plans can reduce or erase debt if you meet the requirements.

• Choosing the right program matters. Each has different rules and benefits—picking wrong could cost you thousands.

If you’re buried in student debt, you’re probably asking one thing: Does Nebraska have student loan forgiveness? The answer is yes—but most borrowers look in the wrong place or don’t know which program fits their situation.

Nebraska offers state loan forgiveness programs for healthcare workers, teachers, and attorneys who commit to working in high-need areas. Some programs cover up to $200,000 in student loans—but they come with strict service commitments. Others offer less money but fewer restrictions.

The real question is: Which one makes the most sense for you?

Here’s what you need to know—what’s available, who qualifies, and how much you can get. Let’s break it down.

Nebraska offers several state-based programs to help healthcare professionals, teachers, and attorneys reduce or eliminate their student loan debt. These programs provide loan repayment assistance in exchange for service in high-need areas.

Nebraska Loan Repayment Program (NLRP)

The state-funded Nebraska Loan Repayment Program, run by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Rural Health, repays student loans for health professionals who practice for three years in a state-designated shortage area. It works as a 50/50 match: DHHS pays half, and a local employer or other local entity pays half. Related: Rural Medicine Loan Forgiveness

• Who It’s For: Fully licensed primary care, mental health, dental, and select allied health professionals working in state-designated shortage areas.

• Benefits: Doctors and dentists can receive up to $60,000 per year for three years ($180,000 total), and other health professionals up to $30,000 per year for three years ($90,000 total), as of September 2026.

• Eligibility: Legal U.S. residents can apply, and Nebraska residency isn’t required. The local match must come from a non-state source, and state employees don’t qualify.

• Apply through: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Rural Health

NHSC Nebraska State Loan Repayment Program

The NHSC Nebraska State Loan Repayment Program uses federal National Health Service Corps funding and is run by DHHS. It also works as a 50/50 match with a local employer. Related: Student Loan Forgiveness for Healthcare Workers

• Who It’s For: Primary care, dental, and mental health professionals, plus pharmacists and registered nurses with bachelor’s-level training, working at an NHSC site in Nebraska.

• Benefits: Doctors, dentists, and pharmacists can receive up to $50,000 per year, and other health professionals up to $25,000 per year, for two to four years (as of September 2026). Four years at the top amount comes to $200,000.

• Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or national and agree to at least two years of service. Participation is capped at four years.

• Apply through: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. DHHS reviews each application and tells you which of the two programs you qualify for.

Excellence in Teaching Act Forgivable Loans

The Excellence in Teaching Act Forgivable Loans Program provides forgivable loans to students and current educators who commit to teaching in Nebraska schools, especially in high-need areas.

• Who It’s For: Undergraduate and graduate students in teacher education programs, as well as current Nebraska teachers pursuing advanced degrees.

• Benefits: Forgivable loans of $3,000 per year for up to five years. Forgiveness begins after your first two years of full-time Nebraska teaching: up to $3,000 for each year you teach, or up to $6,000 a year in a very sparse district or a school where at least 40% of students qualify for the poverty factor.

• Eligibility: Must be enrolled in a Nebraska teacher education program or currently employed as a teacher in Nebraska. Recipients must commit to teaching full-time in an approved Nebraska school.

• Apply through: Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, which took over the program from the Department of Education on July 1, 2024. Awards are first-come, first-served.

Rural Practice Loan Repayment Assistance for Attorneys

This program helps attorneys reduce student debt if they commit to practicing law in Nebraska’s rural communities. Related: Student Loan Forgiveness for Lawyers

• Who It’s For: Attorneys working for tax-exempt organizations that provide legal services to low-income people, or practicing in one of Nebraska’s designated legal shortage areas.

• Benefits: Loan repayment assistance amounts vary based on service commitment and available funding.

• Eligibility: Must be a licensed attorney in Nebraska working in a rural area or employed by an eligible nonprofit.

• Apply through: Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, which administers the Legal Education for Public Service and Rural Practice Loan Repayment Assistance Program

If you don’t qualify for Nebraska’s state-specific loan forgiveness programs, don’t worry—there are several federal programs that can help.

These options are open to borrowers nationwide, including Nebraska residents, and can provide partial or full student loan forgiveness based on your profession, income, or public service commitment.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): Forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a government agency or nonprofit. Ideal for teachers, nurses, government employees, and nonprofit workers.

• Teacher Loan Forgiveness: Offers up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness for educators who teach full-time for five consecutive years in a low-income school or educational service agency.

• Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Forgiveness: Borrowers enrolled in IDR plans (such as IBR, or the Repayment Assistance Plan for loans taken out on or after July 1, 2026) can have their remaining balance forgiven after 20 or 25 years of qualifying payments under IBR, or 30 years under the Repayment Assistance Plan.

• National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program: Provides loan repayment assistance to primary care providers who work in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). Requires a two-year service commitment.

• Federal Employee Student Loan Repayment Program: Some federal agencies offer loan repayment assistance as a recruitment or retention incentive, providing up to $10,000 per year (max $60,000 total) for qualifying employees.

Related: How to Apply for Student Loan Forgiveness?

With multiple loan forgiveness options, how do you know which one is right for you? Here’s a quick breakdown:

Not eligible for Nebraska’s programs or federal forgiveness? Here’s what you can do:

• Explore Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plans: These cap your payments based on income and forgive your balance after 20 to 30 years, depending on the plan.

• Consider Refinancing (But Be Careful!): Private lenders offer lower interest rates, but you lose federal protections like forbearance and PSLF eligibility.

• Look for Employer Assistance: Some Nebraska hospitals, law firms, and school districts offer student loan repayment incentives to attract employees.

• Apply for Scholarships & Grants: Some Nebraska organizations provide grants or scholarships for professionals in high-need areas.

• Negotiate with Your Loan Servicer: If you’re struggling, request a temporary hardship forbearance or lower payment plan.

Student loan forgiveness in Nebraska can wipe out thousands in debt, but every program has different rules.

Some offer up to $200,000 for healthcare workers, others provide forgivable loans for teachers and attorneys, and federal programs add even more options. The key is knowing which one fits your situation—and how to apply without missing crucial steps.

Not sure where to start?

Book a call with our student loan expert.

We’ll help you figure out which program you qualify for, how much you can get, and the fastest way to apply. Loan forgiveness isn’t automatic, but with the right plan, you can make it happen.

For legal help with a student loan problem, see our guide to finding a Nebraska student loan lawyer.

Related Readings:

• Is it Too Late to Apply for Student Loan Forgiveness?

• How Long Do Student Loans Stay on Your Credit

• How to Minimize Student Loan Debt