Health Professionals

Application Cycle Status

Site Application Now Open: Sites may now apply for preapproval status. The application will close at 5:00 p.m. on November 16. Sites that meet minimum qualifications will be included on the Preapproved Site List (coming soon). Please watch the site application webinar for more information.

New Application Process: WSAC is moving to a new three-step application process, beginning with site pre-approval this fall. For details, see our application overview and timeline.

2018 Awarding Completed: Awarding for the 2018 cycle is complete. WSAC received 392 completed applications, more than double last year's total. One-quarter of applicants were awarded, including 81 health professionals in the state-funded program (HPLRP) and 17 in the federal-state match program (FSLRP).

Announcements

Washington Awarded $4 Million Grant: The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration has awarded a four-year, $4 million grant to Washington State to repay the student loans of health professionals serving in high-need areas. Read more.

Additional Provider Types Eligible for 2019 FSLRP Cycle: WSAC is expanding eligible providers types for the 2019 cycle of the Federal-State Loan Repayment Program (FSLRP) to include Licensed Clinical Psychologists, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, and Licensed Mental Health Counselors. See full list of eligible provider types in table below.

Overview

The Health Professional programs encourage licensed health professionals to provide primary care at approved sites in rural or underserved areas. The programs provide financial assistance through either conditional scholarships or loan repayment. Many types of providers are eligible, including doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, and others. Health care sites, such as clinics, also must apply and be approved to employ program participants.

Loan Repayment

In 2016, approximately 100 health professionals worked in underserved areas of Washington as a result of this program. Since 1990, the program has funded over 1,000 professionals serving in 38 Washington counties, and demand continues to exceed funding available. 

Two programs provide educational loan repayment assistance (see table below for detailed information): 

  1. The Federal-State Loan Repayment Program (FSLRP) uses matching federal grant funds for awards.
  2. The Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP) uses only state dollars for awards.

Federal-State Loan Repayment Program (FSLRP)

Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP)

Awards use federal funds matched with state dollars

Awards use state funds only

Maximum $70,000 award

Maximum $75,000 award

Minimum two-year service obligation

Minimum three-year service obligation

Minimum 40-hour work week

Minimum 24-hour work week (service obligation period prorated to three-year, full-time equivalency)

Default penalty - months not served x $7,500 per month plus interest (minimum of $31,000 payback)

Default penalty - funds disbursed doubled plus interest

Maximum 35.7 days per contract year allowed in leave away from clinic/site for holidays, sick leave, vacation, etc.

Maximum 40 days per contract year allowed in leave away from clinic/site for holidays, sick leave, vacation, etc.

Eligible sites: See reference guides for full details, but must have a federal Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designation, be a nonprofit, and have an implemented and posted Sliding Fee Schedule (SFS).

Eligible sites: See reference guides for full details. Does not require HPSA designation or a SFS.

Eligible Providers: DDS or DMD, Registered Dental Hygienist, MD, DO, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurse, Pharmacist, Certified Nurse Midwife, Licensed Clinical Psychologist*, Licensend Independent Clinical Social Worker*, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist*, Licensed Mental Health Counselor* 

*Requires a current, full, permanent, unencumbered, unrestricted health professional license or credential working in an integrated setting or system of care. Individuals with the associate level, restricted credential are not eligible.

Eligible Providers: DDS or DMD, Registered Dental Hygienist, MD, DO, ND, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Pharmacist, Certified Nurse Midwife, Licensed Midwife, Licensed Clinical Psychologist*, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker*, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist*, Licensed Mental Health Counselor*

*Requires a current, full, permanent, unencumbered, unrestricted health professional license or credential working in an integrated setting or system of care. Individuals with the associate level, restricted credential are not eligible.

Information for Providers & Sites

Please email health@wsac.wa.gov if you would like to be added to our program updates and notification list.