The deadline for applications for the second round of healthcare professionals seeking assistance with the new medical education loan repayment program is July 1.
Gov. Josh Green, a physician, said the state of Hawaii and the Hawaii/Pacific Basin Regional Health Education Center have “received a tremendous response to our aggressive and extensive loan repayment program that addresses the state's growing health care funding shortfall.” ” he said. Doctors and other medical professionals. ”
The Health Education Loan Repayment Program (HELP Program) provides education loan debt repayment to qualified or certified health care professionals who provide care to patients in Hawaii.
HELP was conceptualized by Governor Green in collaboration with the John A. Burns School of Medicine, the Hawaii Medical Association and the state Department of Health, according to a news release. The program is funded by the state Legislature, and he provides $30 million in educational loan debt repayments to licensed medical professionals who accept public insurance for at least 30% of their patient treatment claims. I am.
Marc Benioff and Lynn Benioff provided an additional $5 million in philanthropy over two years to HELP recipients on Hawaii Island. Of her first 400 recipients, 77 on Hawaii Island will receive loan repayments from state funds. In the first round, 65 applicants received funding from Marc Benioff and Lin Benioff.
“HELP is a beacon of hope, and it's more than just a program. It's a lifeline to our community,” Green said. “By reducing the burden of education debt, we can attract and retain essential health care professionals to address our state's health care challenges. Together, through HELP, we can help make Hawai'i all healthier.” We will pave the way for a brighter future.”
Retaining Hawaii's medical and health professionals is critical, and HELP aims to reach its largest group ever. Medical professionals in dozens of specialties are eligible for loan repayments ranging from $12,500 up to $50,000 in exchange for two years of full-time work in Hawaii. The amount eligible depends on the applicant's occupation, work location, and educational debt.
HELP will prioritize primary care and behavioral health professionals practicing in rural areas (defined by the state as rural areas in all Neighboring Islands and Oahu).
Please apply by July 1st to be considered for the next cohort. Application forms and answers to frequently asked questions are available on the AHEC HELP page.
Approximately 1,900 healthcare professionals have applied to HELP since the program launched in September 2023. Of those, 1,801 qualified. In December, a total of 492 applicants were awarded funding as part of the first cohort.
Click here to watch an informational video about HELP.
