Skip to main content

Regents Physician Loan Forgiveness Program (LF)

Note: The deadline for the Regents Physician Loan Forgiveness Program application is July 12, 2024.

Purpose

The purpose of the Regents Physician Loan Forgiveness Award Program is to increase the number of physicians practicing in areas of New York State designated by the New York State Board of Regents as having a shortage of physicians. Emphasis is placed on primary care.

Pending the appropriation of State funds during the yearly session of the New York State legislature, at least 80 awards up to $10,000 per year for two years are offered. Award amount is based on undergraduate and medical school student loan amounts, loan interest expense, and income.

Eligibility

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for a Regents Physician Loan Forgiveness Award, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

A. Applicants must be licensed to practice medicine in New York State.

B. Applicants must have completed a professional residency program within the five years immediately preceding the period for which the first award would be granted or will complete training in 2020 in an accredited residency program in family practice, pediatrics, internal medicine, emergency medicine or obstetrics. Psychiatry is also considered primary care in certain State facilities.

C. Applicants must be residents of New York State.

D. Applicants must also be:

1. citizens of the United States, or

2. aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States, or

3. individuals of a class of refugees paroled by the Attorney General of theUnited States under the parole authority pertaining to the admission ofaliens to the United States.

E. Applicants cannot currently be a recipient of any of the Federal Loan Physician Repayment Award programs.

Selection Criteria

  • FIRST PRIORITY - will be given to applicants who are completing the second year of the service agreement and are reapplying for an additional two-year award.
  • SECOND PRIORITY - will be given to new applicants who agree to practice in an area determined by the Regents to have a severe shortage of primary care physician services.

Service Agreement:

Award recipients must agree to practice medicine in a specific area in New York State or serve a specific underserved population designated by the New York State Board of Regents as having a shortage of physicians for a period of 12 months for each annual payment received. 

They must serve a minimum of 24 months regardless of the amount of payment received.

See bulletin in “Application Materials” for more specific and additional information.
 

Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act

For more information on the Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act, visit https://www.hesc.ny.gov/dream/ 

Contact Information:

New York State Education Department
Office of Postsecondary Access, Support, and Success
Science and Technology Entry Program
89 Washington Ave, EBA 960
Albany, NY 12234
(518) 474-3719
scholar@nysed.gov