Health Insurance & Medical Costs · Surprise rank #129
Health-Care Worker With Student Debt? HEALR Has Offered Up to $300,000—but the 2026 Application Is Closed
New York's Healthcare Access Loan Repayment Program offers major loan-repayment awards to selected health professionals who commit to qualifying high-Medicaid/uninsured or Social Care Network settings. The 2026 application cycle is closed.
Who
Qualifying psychiatrists, primary-care physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners and pediatric clinical nurse specialists working at eligible service sites.
What to do
Start here: The 2026 application is closed. Review the program rules and monitor NYSDOH for a future cycle.
Eligibility: The 2026 program requires an eligible title, qualifying employment/service site and a four-year commitment. Eligible sites generally meet the Medicaid/uninsured patient-panel threshold or qualifying Social Care Network criteria.
What you get
Competitive student-loan repayment tied to a four-year service commitment.
Benefit: Maximum 2026 awards include up to $300,000 for psychiatrists, $100,000 for primary-care physicians and dentists and $50,000 for nurse practitioners and pediatric clinical nurse specialists.
Possible value: Up to the role-specific maximum, subject to competitive selection and eligible debt.
Good to know
Important: Awards are limited and competitive. This is not currently open for new 2026 applications and the headline maximum applies only to psychiatrists.
Availability: 2026 application cycle closed; awards expected summer 2026
Status: 2026 application cycle closed
Why people miss it: The award amounts are unusually large but the program is specialized, competitive and tied to Medicaid workforce settings.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026