Community Health Centers (CHCs) offer employees rewarding opportunities to serve their communities and provide exceptional health care to underserved populations. And while CHCs are mission-driven and collaborative workplaces where staff in a variety of roles can follow their passions for providing outstanding patient care, this is not their only perk. Health care providers who work in high-need, underserved areas (such as at a CHC or other safety-net clinic) may be eligible to apply for certain scholarship and loan repayment programs. The Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and NURSE Corps all offer outstanding opportunities for safety-net clinic staff to receive financial assistance.
Loan Repayment Opportunities for Colorado CHC Staff:
- Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) is a loan repayment program for licensed primary care, medical, dental, and mental and behavioral health providers working in high-need, underserved areas within Colorado, including CHCs. The 2016 application cycle will be open September 6-30, 2016. Applying early is recommended, and applications require personal statements, letters of support, educational loan information, updated resume, among other information. If awarded, staff must commit to working with a safety-net organization for three years. Learn more about the program and how to apply here.
- National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is a national loan repayment program open to licensed health care providers who agree to a two-year commitment working at any NHSC-approved site in an underserved area (such as a CHC). The next application cycle for NHSC Loan Repayment will open in early 2017. Learn more about eligibility, awards, and application deadlines here.
- NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program is a loan repayment opportunity specifically for dedicated registered nurses (including advanced practice nurses and nursing faculty) committed to working at any eligible nonprofit hospital, clinic, nursing school, or other facility located in designated mental health or primary care Health Professional Shortage Area across the U.S. The next application cycle for NURSE Corps Loan Repayment will open in early 2017. Learn more about the NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program and how to apply here.
Scholarship Opportunities for Medical, Dental, and Nursing Students:
- National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Students to Service Program is a national loan repayment program open to medical and dental students in their final year of school. Students may be awarded up to $120,000 in return for a commitment to provide primary health care full-time for at least three years at any NHSC-approved site in an underserved area (such as a CHC). NHSC Students to Service Program is accepting applications through October 13th. Learn more about eligibility, awards, and application deadlines here.
- NURSE Corps Scholarship Program is a scholarship opportunity for nursing students accepted or enrolled in a diploma, associate, baccalaureate, or graduate nursing program—including RN to BSN, RN to MSN-NP, Direct Entry MSN-NP program—to receive funding for tuition, fees, and other educational costs in exchange for working at an eligible NURSE Corps site upon graduation. Nursing students committed to working at any eligible nonprofit clinic, hospital, nursing school, or other facility located in designated Health Professional Shortage Area across the U.S. can participate. The next application cycle for NURSE Corps Scholarship Program will open in early 2017. Learn more about the NURSE Corps Scholarship Program and how to apply here.
If you are a health professions student, resident, or employee interested in learning more about these loan repayment and scholarship opportunities, as well as what it’s like work for a safety-net clinic in Colorado, consider attending Corps Community Day on November 4th for an opportunity to network with representatives of Colorado’s safety-net health care facilities, as well as providers, residents, health care workers, and students pursuing careers in primary health care for the underserved.
Are you interested in a mission driven career that helps make a difference in patients’ lives? Check out the Mission Driven Careers Job Board or the CHAMPS Job Opportunity Bank for more information about rewarding careers with a Colorado CHC. To learn more about Colorado’s CHCs and other great work they are doing, visit CCHN’s website.
