Minnesota State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)

Minnesota's Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) is for primary care providers practicing in rural and urban Health Professional Shortage Areas in Minnesota.

The SLRP 2026/2027 application cycle open date is TBD.

Program purpose

The purpose of Minnesota’s State Loan Repayment Program (MN SLRP) is to improve population access to outpatient clinic-based primary health care by assisting underserved communities with recruitment and retention of primary care providers.

Eligibility

Eligible Licensed Health Professionals: OB/GYN, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Midwives, Dental Therapists, Registered Dental Hygienists, General and Pediatric Dentists.

Minimum Service Obligation: 2 years. 

Annual Repayment Amount: In order to receive loan repayment, a clinician must agree to practice either full-time or part-time as a primary care clinician (see Eligible Clinicians) for a minimum of two years at a program-approved site located within a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).

Program administration and funding

This program is administered by the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, Minnesota Department of Health. Program eligibility requirements and benefits are established by federal law authorizing the State Loan Repayment Program (Section 388I of the Public Health Service Act, as amended by Public Law 101-597 and Public Law 111-148). MN SLRP requirements are based on federal grant guidance published during competitive federal grant application cycles and Minnesota program administrative strategies.

This project is supported by the State of Minnesota and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant HRSA-22-048, State Loan Repayment Program, CFDA 93.165. The program is funded $555,205 in federal grant funds and $100,000 by state appropriation. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

Resources

• 2024/2025 SLRP Program Information Notice (PDF) (Previous cycle).
• Frequently Asked Questions about the Minnesota State Loan Repayment Program.

Program Administrators

Elizabeth Fenske: Elizabeth.Fenske@state.mn.us

Dan Merkl: Dan.Merkl@state.mn.us

Technical Assistance

Approved sites are responsible for recruiting their own providers within these guidelines. The Office of Rural Health and Primary Care can provide a limited amount of technical assistance through its state–funded recruitment and retention program. 

For technical assistance on eligibility or the applications, contact the program administrators, email health.loanforgiveness@state.mn.us, or call 651-201-3845 / 800-366-5424 (toll-free).