Health Professional Loan Repayment Program
The purpose of the New Mexico Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP) is to provide repayment for outstanding student loans of practicing health professionals. As a condition of the program, a health professional must make a service commitment to practice in New Mexico. The HPLRP is a competitive program. Application to the program does not guarantee funding.
Eligible New Mexico Licensed Health Professionals
"Health professional" a professional licensed in New Mexico pursuant to the: Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Practice Act; Anesthesiologist Assistants Act; Chiropractic Physician Practice Act; Counseling and Therapy Practice Act; Dental Amalgam Waste Reduction Act; Dental Health Care Act; Emergency Medical Services Act; Genetic Counseling Act; Massage Therapy Practice Act; Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Health and Safety Act; Medical Practice Act; Nursing Practice Act and includes a nurse in advanced practice; Nutrition and Dietetics Practice Act; Occupational Therapy Act; Optometry Act; Pharmacist Prescriptive Authority Act; Pharmacy Act; Physical Therapy Act; Physician Assistant Act; Podiatry Act; Polysomnography Practice Act; Professional Psychologist Act; Respiratory Care Act; Social Work Practice Act; Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing Practices Act; and other health professional licensing acts as determined by the department.
“Physician” a licensed physician is a medical (MD) or osteopathic (DO) doctor who is authorized to practice medicine in New Mexico under the state’s Medical Practice Act.
Eligibility
Physicians
- Must be licensed to practice medicine under the New Mexico Medical Practice Act.
- Must agree to work full-time in a health professional shortage area for at least four years. Part-time work may qualify for prorated awards.
- Must be a bona fide U.S. citizen.
- Must be a New Mexico resident or intend to establish New Mexico residency.
All Other Health Professionals
- Must provide direct clinical care under New Mexico licensing laws.
- Must agree to work full-time in a health professional shortage area for at least three years. Part-time work may qualify for prorated awards.
- Must be a bona fide U.S. citizen.
- Must be a New Mexico resident.
Application
The online application will be available starting June 1, 2026, and will close promptly on July 31, 2026, at 11:59pm.
Funding
If selected for funding, a formal contract must be duly filed with the New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) and the selected participant. All required quarterly employment verifications must be submitted prior to the issuance of annual disbursement.
Awards
Recruitment Awards
Selected participants under a recruitment award, are required to relocate and commence practice in designated shortage areas of New Mexico within 90 days.
Retention Awards
Selected participants must commit to a service obligation within their current position, facility, and county.
Financial Awards
- Physicians may be eligible for a minimum of $75,000 per year, limited by educational debt.
- Other health professions may receive a maximum of $25,000 per year, limited by educational debt.
Obligation
Participation in the Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP) is a serious commitment to serving the underserved citizens of New Mexico.
- Physicians: 4-year service obligation.
- All Other Health Professions: 3-year service obligation.
The Health Professional Loan Repayment Program application will close on July 31, 2026.