State Scholarship, Loan Forgiveness, and Related Programs

Abstract
During the past 30 years, the federal government has played a key role in efforts to encourage primary care physicians and other health care practitioners to work in underserved areas. The most visible federal program has been the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), which supports students and young practitioners with scholarships and loan repayment incentives in exchange for a specified period of work in shortage areas.1-4 The NHSC has supported some 20,000 health care practitioners and received wide recognition for its efforts.