ABOUT

CT STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM

The Program

The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated the critical shortage of primary care providers in Connecticut, which has widened health outcomes, as were apparent in ethnic mortality rates. In 2022, Governor Lamont’s administration introduced a $72 million legislative proposal to expand access to care and address the healthcare worker shortages.


The Connecticut Department of Public Health received funds to strengthen healthcare workforce development through the American Rescue Plan (ARPA Public Act 22-80) and a complementary Health Resources and Services Administration cooperative award (HRSA-22-048).


CT DPH has partnered with CT AHEC to implement the Connecticut Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) which had not been active since 2009.

Dr. Leslie Bumpus, MA, DDS

Lead Dentist, CT Department of Correction, York Correctional Institution

  • Purpose of the CT SLRP

    The CT SLRP will promote the recruitment and retention of providers to sustain a growing primary healthcare workforce working with medically underserved populations.


    In exchange for loan repayment, individuals agree to provide primary healthcare services in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) of greatest need.


    The length of service commitment is expected to equal 2 years. The renewal of commitment into concurrent term is dependent on availability of funding.


    Penalty for breaking contractual obligation: the amount of time obligated and the time NOT SERVED, multiplied by $7,500, plus interest/fees (refer to NHSC policy for more).


  • Eligibility Requirements

    Recipients must be United States citizens or nationals (naturalized citizens), legally authorized to work in the United States, and must practice in Connecticut.


    Recipients must work at eligible practice sites.


    Practitioners must provide direct patient care full-time or part-time at an approved site for the duration of their service commitment.


    Recipients must not have any federal judgment liens; have defaulted on any federal payment obligations including student loans; have any federal or non-federal debt written off as uncollectible; have a waiver of any federal payment obligation.


    Recipients must apply the SLRP loan repayment to qualifying debt.

  • Providers Considered Ineligible

    • With federal breach of contract for a previous service obligation,

    • Who are not practicing the eligible specialties,

    • Holding J-1 visa waivers,

    • With current contractual service obligation with federal government, state, or other entity, including loan repayment from other sources (i.e., Primary Care Loans through HHS, HRSA, Bureau of Health Professions) and/or be on a contract to receive a sign-on bonus,

    • Actively training in a residency and/or fellowship program and not in final year of training,

    • Working under clinical hour requirements and not in final year of training.