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IHS LRP

Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program

Up to $50,000 per 2-year contract, renewable annually until your qualified debt is repaid. Eligible for the broadest set of health professions of any federal program. Note: IHS LRP awards are TAXABLE and a 24 percent federal tax is withheld at disbursement.

Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Award

Up to $50,000 per 2-year contract. Annual renewals available until your qualified debt is fully repaid. IHS withholds 24 percent federal tax and FICA from each award; participants receive a W-2.

Eligible professions

  • →MD, DO, DDS/DMD, Dental Therapist, DPM
  • →RN (ADN/BSN/MSN), Community/Public Health Nurse, RN Case Manager, Nurse Specialist
  • →NP, PA, OD, PharmD, Pharmacy Technician (Certified)
  • →PT, OT, Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology
  • →RD/RDN, Clinical Lab Scientist, Med Lab Technician, Radiology Tech, Ultrasonography
  • →Environmental Health (Sanitarian), Engineering (Civil/Environmental, ABET-accredited), Chiropractor
  • →Behavioral health: Clinical/Counseling Psychologists, Master's-level Counselors, LCSW

Eligible employer types

Ihs Government Nonprofit

HPSA requirement

Sites are scored on an IHS-specific shortage scale (0–25 for primary care and mental health; 0–26 for dental) based on staffing need, not the standard HRSA HPSA designation.

Application cycle

Rolling. Applications accepted monthly; submission deadline is the 15th of each month during award season.

PSLF interaction

IHS, Tribal (P.L. 93-638), and Urban Indian programs all qualify as government or nonprofit employers for PSLF. Concurrent eligibility applies.

Tax treatment

TAXABLE. IHS withholds 24 percent federal tax plus FICA from each award. Participants receive a Form W-2 and are responsible for any additional federal, state, or local tax owed. This differs materially from NHSC and NURSE Corps, which are tax-exempt.

Common pitfalls

  • !Awards are taxable, unlike NHSC. The net amount after withholding is materially less than $50,000.
  • !Priority is given to American Indian and Alaska Native applicants who are members of federally recognized Tribes.
  • !Site must have a current LRP Site Score on the IHS list at the time of award.

Next step

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Sources

Last reviewed against primary sources: May 17, 2026. Program rules and award amounts change. Always confirm directly with the agency before applying. If you find an error, email hello@blackhealth.org and we'll correct it within 48 hours.