This is the third installment of a three-part series highlighting student loan repayment programs. In this article, debt resolution attorney and owner of Ciment Law Firm, PLLC, THE Debt Defenders, Daniel Ciment, will address student loan repayment plans pertaining to workers in career categories including nurses, teachers, and healthcare faculty.
We help our clients in Texas to reclaim their paths to prosperity after they have taken on student loan debt. Consider the student loan assistance options highlighted below, and then contact us at (833) 779-9993 to schedule a consultation to explore the right option for you.
Student Loan Repayment for Nurses: The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program
Registered nurses (RNs), advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and nurse faculty (NF) can pursue the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program if they commit to at least two years of work in either a Critical Shortage Facility (CSF) or an eligible nursing school as nurse faculty (NF). The Nurse Corps LRP helps to fulfill the need for nurses in Critical Shortage Facilities in the United States. A third year of service commitment is optional.
To be eligible, you must have received your nursing education from an accredited school of nursing that is located within a U.S. state or territory, and the Health Resources & Services Administration gives preference to applicants with the greatest need for financial assistance. Additional preference is given by the type of facility where employed, mental health or primary care HPSA designation, and background. For nurse faculty, preference will be given to schools whose enrollment from disadvantaged backgrounds is over 50 percent.
Applicants must be either a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or a lawful permanent resident with a full, permanent, unencumbered, and unrestricted license, and working full-time for at least 32 hours per week at an eligible CSF or an eligible school of nursing. Your experienced Texas debt resolution attorney can guide you regarding your eligibility and the next steps to apply.
Student Loan Repayment for Teachers: The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program
Teachers who are teaching in a low-income school or education service on a full-time basis for five complete consecutive academic years may be eligible for forgiveness of up to $17,500 on Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, as well as Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans. Borrowers with a Direct Consolidation Loan or a Federal Consolidation loan may be able to have the outstanding portion of their consolidation loan forgiven if it repaid an eligible Direct Subsidized Loan, Direct Unsubsidized Loan, Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan, or Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan. Consult with your Texas student loan assistance lawyer to determine whether these terms apply to your employment and your loan type(s).
Additional qualifications are required for Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility:
- Five complete and consecutive years employed as a full-time highly qualified teacher, occurring after the 1997-98 academic year at an elementary school, secondary school or educational service agency serving low-income students, designated as a “low-income school or educational service agency”
- The loans to be forgiven were made prior to the end of your five academic years of qualifying teacher service
- You did not have an outstanding balance on Direct Loans or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans as of October 1st, 1998
- You did not have an outstanding balance on a Direct Loan or FFEL Program loan you accepted after October 1st, 1998
There are additional factors that can affect how much loan forgiveness for which you may be eligible, such as the subjects you taught, your teaching credentials, and your additional teaching experience. Your debt resolution attorney can help you determine your eligibility and your next steps to apply.
Student Loan Repayment for Healthcare Education Faculty from Disadvantaged Backgrounds: The Faculty Loan Repayment Program (FLRP)
Health professionals employed with a two-year commitment as faculty members for select health professions at approved schools may be able to have a maximum of $40,000 paid over two years if they have an eligible health professions degree or certificate and come from a disadvantaged background, which the HRSA based on environmental and economic factors. The Faculty Loan Repayment Program helps to diminish economic barriers that can prevent the disadvantaged from pursuing academic faculty careers.
To be an eligible health professions school, your employer must be a public or private non-profit school located within a U.S. state or territory where you are teaching students in one of the following:
- Allopathic or Osteopathic Medicine
- Dentistry
- Nursing (Registered Nurse or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse)
- Pharmacy
- Allied Health
- Veterinary Medicine
- Podiatric Medicine
- Optometry
- Physician Assistant
- Public Health (Graduate Level)
- Behavioral and Mental Health (Graduate Programs in Clinical Psychology, Clinical Social Work, Professional Counseling, or Marriage and Family Therapy)
Contact your Texas student loan assistance lawyer at Ciment Law Firm, PLLC, THE Debt Defenders to determine whether you may qualify to apply for the Faculty Loan Repayment Program.
Planning For a Future Without Student Loan Debt in Texas
Many times, student debt can become unmanageable, especially when combined with additional debt and other living expenses. College shouldn’t prevent you from pursuing your life goals. Our experienced debt resolution attorney team can assess your needs and match you with the right program to fit your needs.
An Experienced Student Loan Debt Attorney at Ciment Law Firm, PLLC Can Help You Pursue Student Loan Assistance in Texas
If you have been struggling to pay back student loans while working as a nurse, teacher, or healthcare education faculty member in Texas, we can help you pursue a repayment program that may greatly relieve your financial stresses in the coming years.
For additional information regarding Nurse Corps, Teacher Loan Forgiveness, or the Faculty Loan Repayment program, schedule a consultation with a student loan assistance lawyer at Ciment Law Firm, PLLC, THE Debt Defenders at (833) 779-9993 today or fill out our online form. No matter where you are in your student loan debt repayment process, we can help.
At Ciment Law Firm, PLLC, THE Debt Defenders, we apply our experience and knowledge to assist clients with a diverse range of debt issues and financial legal challenges. When you choose Ciment Law Firm, PLLC, THE Debt Defenders, we will immediately get you on the right track with our proven three-step process that helps you resolve your debts, protect your rights, and rebuild your credit.
In Step 1, we resolve your debts. Depending on your unique circumstances, this could involve:
- Debt Lawsuit Defense
- Bankruptcy Protection
- Debt Protection Program
- Debt Assistance Program
- Bank Garnishment
- Student Loan Assistance
- Judgment Lien Release
In Step 2, we protect your rights.
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
- Texas Debt Collection Practices Act
- Telephone Consumer Protection Act
In Step 3, we rebuild your credit with 7 steps to a 720 Credit Score.
Learn more about each step and how our 3 Step Proven Process puts you on the path to financial stability.
Copyright © 2022. Ciment Law Firm PLLC, THE Debt Defenders. All rights reserved.
The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
Ciment Law Firm, PLLC, THE Debt Defenders
221 Bella Katy Dr
Katy, TX 77494
(833) 779-9993
https://www.cimentlawfirm.com/
