This loan repayment program is for behavioral health care clinicians providing full or part-time clinical services in Health Professional Shortage Areas. A minimum of two years of service is required. It is administered by the Rural Health and Primary Care Program with funding provided by the Health Resources Services Administration. To apply, please complete and submit the Application, Eligibility Verification Form, Verification of Educational Debt Form with required documentation and the Personal Data Form. You may direct all questions to the Rural Health and Primary Care Program at (207) 287-5562.
In order to be eligible, you must provide behavioral health services at the masters degree level in one of the below disciplines:
- Allopathic and osteopathic doctors with a specialty of psychiatry;
- Nurse practitioners and physician assistants with specialties in psychiatry and mental
- health;
- Psychiatric nurse specialists;
- Psychologists (clinical and counseling);
- Licensed clinical social workers;
- Licensed clinical professional counselors;
- Marriage and family therapists; and
- Alcohol and substance abuse counselors at the master’s degree level
Also, you must practice in a public, non-profit private, or for profit health care facility operated by a non-profit organization facility located within a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area. The facility must accept reimbursement from Medicare, MaineCare, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and utilize a sliding fee scale of up to 200% FPL according to the most recent Federal Register notice. Lastly, the facility must accept all patients regardless of their ability to pay.