The New Mexico Higher Education Department is awarding student debt relief to over 500 health professionals in the state through the Health Professional Loan Repayment Program. The 524 new awardees for FY 2025 will receive debt relief in exchange for a three-year commitment to working in high-need communities across New Mexico. This brings the total number of health professionals currently benefiting from the program to 1,269.
In addition to the new awardees, 745 health professionals who began receiving debt relief in previous fiscal years will continue to benefit from the program. This expansion of the program is part of an ongoing effort to recruit and retain specialized health care providers in New Mexico. The program covers over 25 health occupations and licenses in allied health, dental, medical, and mental health fields.
Funded by a $19.6 million appropriation for the current fiscal year, the program aims to provide timely, affordable, and high-quality healthcare to communities across the state. Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez expressed the department’s commitment to supporting healthcare professionals with outstanding student loans and expanding the reach of the debt relief program.
The Health Professional Loan Repayment Program is open to new applicants on March 15 each year, with a full list of eligible professions available on the Higher Education Department’s website. With the increase in funding and number of health professionals benefiting from the program, New Mexico is strengthening its healthcare workforce and improving access to care for its residents.
Source
Photo credit www.rdrnews.com