Sanford Health supports lifelong learning and is pleased to offer financial support for students who are continuing education in a field that can enhance their contributions to our organization. In select Network sites, the Sanford Health Network is offering a $2,000 scholarship opportunity to students pursuing a post-secondary degree in a health care-related field. By offering this scholarship, we are making an investment in our region’s future workforce and the communities we serve.

The Sanford Sons & Daughters program is open to Sanford employees and those who have a parent or other family member employed by Sanford Health and who have been accepted into medical school, or at any time during their medical school training, residency or fellowship. Participants are eligible to receive resources, mentorship and financial support.

National Health Service Corps-Loan Repayment Program

Program Overview:

• Seeks primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, physician assistants, dentists, dental hygienists, and behavioral and mental health providers to provide culturally competent, interdisciplinary primary health care services to underserved populations located in selected Health Professional Shortage Areas
• Assists clinicians in their repayment of outstanding qualifying educational loans
• NHSC loan repayment funds are exempt from federal and income and employment taxes

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Program Overview:

• Must be employed full-time by a qualifying employer when you make each of the required 120 payments on your Direct Loans, and also at the time you apply for loan forgiveness after making the last of those 120 payments, and when you receive loan forgiveness
• After you make your 120th qualifying monthly payment, you will need to submit the PSLF application to receive loan forgiveness. You must be working for a qualifying employer at the time you submit the application for forgiveness and at the time the remaining balance on your loan is forgiven.
• Sanford coordinates with Navigate Student Loans and providers can schedule a consultation if interested

Rural Iowa Primary Loan Repayment Program

Program Overview:

• The program provides loan repayment incentives to individuals that practice in specified locations for up to five years.
• The maximum award for this program is $200,000, which is paid in five increments toward outstanding Federal Subsidized Stafford, Unsubsidized Stafford, Graduate PLUS and Perkins Loan balances at the end of each 12 month employment period.

Eligibility:

• Attends the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine or the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.
• Is enrolled full-time in a program leading to a doctor of medicine degree or a doctor of osteopathy degree.
• Complete an Iowa-based residency program
• Become licensed and employed in the practice of medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery, specializing in family medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, internal medicine or general surgery within nine months of completing residency.
• Work for a minimum of 5 consecutive years in an eligible service commitment area following completion of residency.

Minnesota Rural/Urban Physician Loan Forgiveness Program

Program Overview:

• The purpose of Minnesota’s Loan Forgiveness program is to recruit and retain health care professionals to needed areas and facilities in Minnesota. Loan forgiveness is an important benefit for health care professionals as well as health care facilities and communities experiencing a shortage of access to primary health care services.
• Eligible professionals: Primary Care Physicians, Pediatrician, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Psychiatrist and OB/GYN.

Rural Program Information

Urban Program Information

Minnesota State Loan Repayment Program

Program Overview:

• The purpose of Minnesota's State Loan Repayment Program (MN SLRP) is to improve access to primary care by assisting underserved communities with recruitment and retention of primary care providers.
• Eligible Licensed Health Professionals: Primary Care Physicians (MD or DO), Dentists, Dental Hygienists, Certified Nurse Midwives, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Clinical Psychologists, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers, Psychiatrists, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors, Psychiatric Nurse Specialists, Marriage & Family Therapists

North Dakota Federal State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)

Program Overview:

• The purpose of this program is to form a partnership between the federal government (HRSA) and the State of North Dakota Department of Health to aid in the placement of health care professionals in areas of greatest need at public and nonprofit private sites.
• Applicants may receive up to $50,000/year for two years of service and requires a 1:1 match from the sponsoring organization or community
• Eligible Professionals: Physicians (Family Medicine, General Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, OBGYN, Geriatrics, & Psychiatry), Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants (specializing in adult, family, peds, mental health, geriatrics, or women’s health), & Psychiatric Nurse Specialists

North Dakota Health Care Professional Student Loan Repayment Program

Program Overview:

• Providers working full time (40 hours/week) in areas of the state with a defined need for health services can enter into an agreement for up to five years and be eligible to receive loan repayment
• Eligible Professionals: Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, certified nurse midwives

South Dakota Recruitment Assistance Program

Program Overview:

• This program provides qualifying professionals an incentive payment in return for three continuous years of practice in an eligible rural community. Requests for participation in this recruitment program are reviewed on a first-come first-served basis. A community or facility representative should contact the Office of Rural Health to request an assessment in order to determine eligibility.
• Eligible Professionals: Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives