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National Health Services Corps

The NHSC Program

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) offers loan repayment and scholarship assistance to support qualified health care providers who choose to provide care at clinics where they are most needed. The program is open to licensed primary care medical, dental, and mental and behavioral health providers who are employed or have accepted an offer of employment at an NHSC-approved practice site. NHSC is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

Assistance for Providers and Students

NHSC offers loan repayment incentives and scholarships to health care professionals and students in qualifying health care professions, in exchange for a service commitment to practice in clinics that provide services to underserved populations.

Please visit the NHSC site for more information.

Assistance for Practice Sites

Approved clinics may use NHSC loan repayment and scholarship programs to recruit and retain health care professionals. Clinics in Oregon apply to and are approved by HRSA to become NHSC sites. These clinics provide medical, dental, and mental and behavioral health services to people regardless of their ability to pay. The PCO provides technical assistance and support to health care facilities in applying to be a NHSC site. HRSA usually opens the NHSC new site cycle application once a year in spring.  

Benefits to becoming a NHSC-approved site include:

  • Assistance in attracting and keeping qualified, dedicated providers eligible for NHSC loan repayment and scholarship programs.   
  • Opportunities to network with other NHSC-approved sites and community organizations. 
  • Assistance from the PCO with increasing access to primary health care services in your community. 
  • Joining a network of partners providing care to people in communities with limited access to health care. 
Sign up to receive notification when the NHSC application cycle opens.

Steps to apply to become a NHSC-approved site:

  1. Review the NHSC Site Reference Guide to determine if your site meets eligibility requirements.  
  2. Contact the PCO before starting your application to HRSA to make sure your site qualifies and to determine your HPSA designation. The PCO will review your application once it is submitted. 
  3. Create an account or sign-in at NHSC to apply for certification. 
  4. Compile the required documentation to submit with your application. 
  5. Apply online.

We are here to help!

The PCO is the designated liaison between the NHSC and Oregon practice sites. Please contact us with any questions.