Below are some of the funding and scholarship opportunities available to North Carolina-based Family Medicine residents and practicing family physicians. You are encouraged to explore the sites and inquire with them directly if you have questions regarding their programs. If you have general questions or are aware of other resources that should be included, please contact Perry Price at the NCAFP office.
NC Medical Society Foundation's Community Practitioner Program - The Community Practitioner Program recruits primary care clinicians to rural, economically distressed and medically underserved areas of North Carolina. By offering help with educational loan repayments, as well as practice management assistance and other incentives, CPP enables clinicians to serve in the areas of North Carolina that are most in need. The program works closely with the NC Office of Rual Health in selecting and supporting candidates. This program has more flexibility than State and Federal programs in selecting sites and making awards.
Visit the NC Medical Society Foundation's Community Practitioner Program
North Carolina Office of Rural Health - For more than 50 years the NC Office of Rural Health has provided innovative approaches for placing primary care physicians in North Carolina medically underserved communities. Through its loan repayment, high needs service programs, and placement services it is the primary organization in North Carolina providing primary care placement services.
North Carolina Loan Repayment Program (NC LRP) The NC LRP is a long standing office program that provides loan repayment awards of up to $100,000 to family medicine physicians willing to practice for up to 4 years in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) and in an exempt organization like State-Designated Rural Health Centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), etc. or in a private practice that accepts Medicaid and Medicare patients and has a sliding fee scale in place.
Primary Care Physicians Initiative (NC PCPI) NC PCIP is a new time-limited program that provides loan repayments to primary care physicians who are willing to practice in one of NC's 80 Tier One or Tier Two counties. This is the only North Carolina loan repayment program that targets private practice. The program provides up to $100,000 for a 4-year service commitment in a private practice that is owned and operated by a physician who is enrolled in the Medicaid Program. Awards are made on a first-come first-served basis and ORH anticipates up to 16 awards in each of the six Medicaid Regions.
High Needs Service Bonus (HNSB) For physicians without educational loans, ORH sponsors a High Needs Service Bonus. The program provides up to a $100,000 payment for a four-year service commitment in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) with a score of at least 10. The High Needs Service Bonus site eligibility guidelines follow the guidelines for the basic Loan Repayment Program.
Visit the NC Office of Rural Health's Webpage
Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Public Service Loan Forgiveness is a program for federal student loan borrowers who work in certain kinds of jobs. It will forgive remaining debt after 10 years of eligible employment and qualifying loan payments.
Visit the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Webpage
National Health Service Corps - The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program provides up to $80,000 for up to a two-year service commitment in an approved site located in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). Awardees may be able to extend their commitment for additional time and award upon completing their original commitment.
*The NC Office of Rural Health has been contracted by the National Health Service Corps to assist North Carolina applicants with the site selection and application process. Prior to initiating an application through this resource, we recommend you first contact the NC Office of Rural Health (link above). They can provide assistance and guidance as you consider all options. Their familiarity with all programs also helps to ensure you don't miss deadlines for other possible support.
Visit the National Health Service Corps Webpage
National Institute of Health Loan Repayment Programs - Research scientists develop treatments and discover cures for diseases and disorders that affect us all. More researchers are needed to meet today’s critical health needs. The NIH Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs) encourage promising researchers and scientists to pursue research careers by repaying up to $35,000 of their qualified student loan debt each year.
Visit the National Institute of Health Loan Repayment Programs Webpage
