The New York State Department of Health has released the Solicitation of Interest for Round 7 of the Primary Care Service Corps (PCSC) Loan Repayment Program. This initiative, governed under Public Health Law sections 923 and 924, is modeled after the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and is designed to increase the number of qualified clinicians serving in underserved areas throughout New York State. The program provides educational loan repayment in exchange for a service commitment.

The PCSC Loan Repayment Program supports clinicians working in either primary care or behavioral health disciplines who commit to serving at an NHSC Approved Site. Eligible applicants include dentists, dental hygienists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, clinical psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, and licensed mental health counselors. The funding aims to alleviate the burden of student debt in exchange for a three-year service obligation in areas with limited healthcare access.

Applicants must be employed or show proof that they will be employed at an NHSC Approved Site. The eligible service settings must be outpatient-based or otherwise qualify per NHSC guidelines. Each awardee must provide care on a full-time basis in accordance with the requirements of the program.

A total of up to $1,000,000 is available under this round of funding. Award amounts vary by clinician type: dentists may receive up to $72,000, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurse midwives up to $54,000, and behavioral health professionals and dental hygienists up to $36,000. The loan repayment amount cannot exceed the amount of the qualifying educational debt.

Applications are due by 4:00 PM on May 8, 2025. Awards are expected to begin on August 1, 2025, and extend through July 31, 2028. Interested applicants should ensure timely submission and confirm their site eligibility in advance. For more information, applicants may contact Jonathan Wettergreen, Assistant Chief Health Planner at the New York State Department of Health, via phone at 518-473-4700 or email at jonathan.wettergreen@health.ny.gov.