HARTFORD, CT—Connecticut has launched the Connecticut Student Loan Repayment Program (CSLRP), a new state program addressing the healthcare workforce shortage in the state’s health professional shortage areas.
The initiative will offer up to $50,000 in student loan repayments to eligible healthcare providers who commit to practicing full-time in underserved communities in the state for at least two years. Part-time options are also available for $12,500 annually over two years, totaling $25,000.
The state’s Department of Public Health oversees the program; the Connecticut Area Health Education Center (CAHEC) administers the new program. The CAHEC program works throughout Connecticut to improve access to primary healthcare by linking local community groups with the resources of health professionals, health professional groups, and health professional training programs.
“Our administration is committed to ensuring that every resident of Connecticut has access to quality healthcare, regardless of their zip code,” Governor Ned Lamont said. “This program is a significant investment in our healthcare workforce and a step towards reducing health disparities across our state. We recognize that not all providers can commit to full-time work, so we’re offering flexible options to attract a wider range of talent to our underserved communities.”
Unlike federal loan repayment programs such as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which only applies to federal student loans, the state’s loan repayment program allows both federal and private student loan debt to be repaid. It is a more comprehensive solution for healthcare providers with diverse education debt.
Eligible providers include:
- MDs and DOs in Family Practice, General Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, OB/GYN
- APRNs, including Certified Nurse Midwives, Nurse Practitioners, and Psychiatric Nurse Specialists
- Physician Assistants
- Registered Nurses
- Dentists and Dental Hygienists
- Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and Core Behavioral Health Providers, including Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Professional Counselors, and Substance Use Disorder Counselors
- Pharmacists
“This program will help open doors to financial relief that are typically only thought to be exclusively available to advanced practice providers,” Lamont said. “Whether you’re working in underserved areas, critical shortage facilities, or even in educational settings, opportunities are here for these medical professionals to have their student loans forgiven.”
The state’s Public Health Commissioner, Manisha Juthani, MD, and Petra Clark-Dufner, director of the Connecticut Area Health Education Center, welcomed the program’s launch. Juthani said, “By incentivizing healthcare providers to practice in underserved areas, we can make significant progress in improving health outcomes for all Connecticut residents.”
Clark-Dufner, whose program office is at UConn Health Center, expressed her commitment to supporting the healthcare workforce and improving access to care in underserved communities.
Applications will be accepted beginning May 22, 2024. For application information, visit ctslrp.org.
–With Jay Domingo/PDM
