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Illinois · 2026 Guide

Healthcare loan repayment in Illinois.

Illinois's NHSC State LRP is currently paused for new applicants due to a gap in federal NHSC SLRP funding. Existing recipients can apply for renewal. The Conrad 30 J-1 waiver program remains active with three annual application windows.

State programs

1 state-funded program.

Illinois NHSC State Loan Repayment Program

(IL-SLRP)

Illinois Department of Public Health

Currently NOT accepting new applicants due to a gap in federal NHSC SLRP funding. Current recipients with end dates after December 1, 2025 can apply in 2026 as renewals.

Award

Award amount for 2026 not published in primary source at retrieval. Verify at IDPH program page when applications reopen.

Application cycle

Not accepting new applicants at retrieval. Verify current status at IDPH program page.

Eligible: Physicians (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, OB/GYN, Pediatrics); APRNs

Open application page Sources: IDPH: Illinois SLRP program page

Federal programs in Illinois

Federal programs you can stack with the state ones.

All nine federal loan-repayment programs operate in every state. The details (dollar amounts, eligibility, tax treatment) are the same regardless of where you serve.

PSLF

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

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NHSC LRP

NHSC Loan Repayment Program

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NHSC SUD LRP

NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program

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NHSC Rural LRP

NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program

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NHSC S2S

NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program

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NURSE Corps LRP

NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program

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IHS LRP

Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program

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FLRP

HRSA Faculty Loan Repayment Program

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PS LRP

HRSA Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program

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Conrad 30 J-1 visa waiver

For international medical graduates serving in Illinois

Slots per year
30
Application fee
$3,000 (check/money order to IDPH).
Application window
October 1-31 primary window; January 1-31 and April 1-30 as fallback if slots remain.
Submission
Email dph.j1waiver@illinois.gov.
Open Conrad 30 page

Qualifying employers in Illinois

6 organizations that may qualify you for these programs.

Federally Qualified Health Centers, Indian Health Service sites, and public hospitals in Illinois that meet the eligibility rules for the programs above. Service at any of these sites typically counts toward both NHSC awards and PSLF concurrently.

  • Federally Qualified Health Center

    Erie Family Health Centers

    Chicago, IL

    FQHC operating 13 health centers and 11 school-based health centers across Chicago and the western suburbs; primary care, dental, behavioral health, and women's health for over 90,000 patients.

    Recruit on Black Health? Claim this listing free.

  • Federally Qualified Health Center

    Friend Health

    Chicago, IL

    FQHC since 1998 with roots in Chicago's Woodlawn community on the South Side (formerly Friend Family Health Center); serves predominantly Black and Latino patients in Medically Underserved Areas, with integrated behavioral health following the 2017 HRDI merger.

    Recruit on Black Health? Claim this listing free.

  • Federally Qualified Health Center

    Heartland Alliance Health

    Chicago, IL

    FQHC providing integrated primary care, behavioral health, and harm reduction to people experiencing homelessness, living with HIV/AIDS, or otherwise marginalized across Chicago.

    Recruit on Black Health? Claim this listing free.

  • Federally Qualified Health Center

    Mile Square Health Center

    Chicago, IL

    FQHC operating 11 locations across Chicago, Cicero, and Rockford (part of University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System); serves nearly 40,000 patients per year on a sliding fee scale, with sites in Englewood, South Shore, Back of the Yards, and other underserved neighborhoods.

    Recruit on Black Health? Claim this listing free.

  • Federally Qualified Health Center

    Near North Health Service Corporation

    Chicago, IL

    501(c)(3) nonprofit FQHC serving Chicago's medically underserved, uninsured, and underinsured since 1966; all centers located in federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas for primary care, mental health, and/or dental services.

    Recruit on Black Health? Claim this listing free.

  • Federally Qualified Health Center

    PCC Community Wellness Center

    Oak Park, IL

    Network of 14 FQHC sites serving Chicago's West and Northwest Sides and near west suburbs; offers integrated primary care, behavioral health, and oral health within a medical-home model.

    Recruit on Black Health? Claim this listing free.

List sourced from HRSA's Find a Health Center tool and state directories. We curate a representative set, not the full grantee list. To add or correct an organization, email hello@blackhealth.org.

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.