The Nurse’s Guide to Student Loan Forgiveness: What You Need to Know Now

Nursing may be one of the most rewarding healthcare careers, but it’s also one of the costliest to enter. With nursing tuition climbing into six figures and salaries that can lag behind the debt, many nurses end up delaying major life goals just to keep up with loan payments. The good news? Student loan forgiveness for nurses isn’t a dream. It’s real, it’s happening and it’s helping thousands of nurses right now.

In this guide, you’ll discover:

• The real numbers behind nursing school debt and why they matter.
• The hidden costs of debt that impact your financial future.
• The latest forgiveness opportunities every nurse should know about.
• How new repayment options are creating a once-in-a-generation chance for relief.

And remember, Achieve is here for you. We empathize with what it’s like to juggle long shifts, family responsibilities and the weight of student loans. At Achieve, we help nurses reach their goals faster, skip the red tape and get closer to financial freedom. Discover how Achieve can fast-track your nursing education today!

Why Does Student Loan Forgiveness Matter for Nurses (and Why Does It Matter Now)?

Nursing is more in demand than ever, yet the profession remains one of the most costly to enter. When nurses owe more than they earn, it delays life goals and makes financial freedom feel out of reach. Forgiveness programs are evolving fast, making this the perfect moment for change.

The Real Debt Numbers

Nursing school gets more expensive at every level. What starts as less debt for ADN graduates can grow into six figures for advanced practice nurses. Here’s the breakdown:

• ADN: Nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing graduate with about $23,300 in debt.
• BSN: A Bachelor’s degree raises that to about $28,900.
• Advanced Degrees: Master’s graduates owe around $49,000, while Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) grads can carry debts close to $185,000.

The Stakes: How Debt Affects Earnings and Career Choices

For many nurses, debt repayment isn’t just about numbers, it’s about choices deferred. That first home? Delayed. Retirement savings? Pushed aside. It’s hard to pursue advanced certifications or specialties when every raise gets eaten up by loan payments. In a profession where demand is high and burnout is real, debt should never be the thing holding you back.

Policy Moment: Expanded Forgiveness Access

Here’s the silver lining: forgiveness opportunities are opening up like never before. Recent changes have made Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) easier to use, with more nurses than ever getting approved. In fact, as of late 2024, over 1 million borrowers have benefited from PSLF relief. 

Even more relief is on the horizon. Starting July 1, 2026, the new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) will launch. It keeps PSLF eligibility and bases payments on a small part of your income. It also stops interest from growing and forgives any remaining balance after 30 years. This makes PSLF easier for new borrowers to access.

What Are the Major Federal Forgiveness Programs Nurses Should Know About?

The federal government has loan forgiveness programs for public service workers, including nurses. These programs aren’t just fine print. They’ve already helped thousands of nurses shrink or even erase their balances. Here’s what you need to know about the three most important options:

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

PSLF is the best-known, and one of the strongest, federal loan forgiveness programs.

• How It Works: Make 120 monthly payments. You need to be on an income-driven plan and work full-time for a government or nonprofit employer. This includes places like public hospitals, VA facilities, or community clinics.
• The Payoff: After 10 years, any remaining balance is completely forgiven – and it’s tax free.
• Why It Matters Now: PSLF used to be filled with red tape and denials. But recent rule changes have led to record approvals, making it more accessible to nurses than ever before.

Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program

If you’re willing to serve where the need is greatest, this program can change your financial future.

• Eligibility: RNs, APRNs and nurse faculty are eligible if they work in Critical Shortage Facilities or accredited nursing schools.
• The Payoff: The program will pay off 60% of your unpaid nursing education debt over two years of service. Commit to a third year, and you can earn forgiveness on another 25%.
• The Impact: That’s up to 85% of your nursing loans wiped away, just for choosing to work where your skills are needed most.

Perkins Loan Cancellation & Discharge

Fewer nurses have Perkins loans today, but if you do, this program is worth knowing.

• Eligibility: Full-time nurses in qualifying service roles.
• The Benefit: Up to 100% of Perkins loans canceled over five years of service.‍
• Key Factor: This is a “use it or lose it” program so if you have Perkins loans, be sure to apply while you’re still eligible.

What Are the State & Alternative Pathways to Forgiveness?

Nurses can find relief through various avenues. Federal programs are helpful. However, state programs, the military, employers and other healthcare repayment options also provide support. These often give targeted forgiveness in high-need areas and are worth exploring alongside federal plans.

State Programs By Example

Many states run their own student loan forgiveness for nurses programs working in high-need areas:

• Connecticut Student Loan Reimbursement Program: Up to $5,000 a year (max $20,000 over four years) for community service. A separate program gives healthcare workers up to $50,000.
• Idaho Rural Nursing Loan Repayment Program: Rural nurses can earn up to $25,000 over three years toward nursing education debt.
• Maryland Loan Repayment Programs (MLRP): Offers loan repayment programs for nurses serving in shortage areas, with applications typically open March-April each year.

These programs vary widely in scope and eligibility, but all reward nurses committed to high‑need communities.

Military and Employer-Sponsored Options

Outside of federal programs, both the military and some employers can help with loan repayment:

• Military repayment: The Navy, Air Force, and other branches may cover large portions of your loans in exchange for service, especially in nursing roles.
• Hospital programs: Many hospitals provide loan repayment or forgiveness. If you work with them for a few years, they help with your education costs by  keeping skilled nurses on staff.

What Other Healthcare Repayment Programs Offer

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) helps nurses pay off loans by working in underserved communities. Nurses can earn up to $50,000 in repayment for two years of service at approved sites. With longer commitments (usually five years) benefits can grow to as much as $170,000 in debt relief.

Smart Strategy: Applying, Tracking, and Combining Benefits

Getting student loan relief takes more than filling out forms; it requires being organized and proactive. Here’s how to stay on track and boost your chances of forgiveness:

Get Your Ducks in a Row: Documentation and Tracking

Paperwork may feel tedious, but it’s the key to getting approved:

• Submit your Employment Certification Form (ECF) every year for PSLF, even if you’re at the same job. It confirms your employer qualifies and your payments count toward forgiveness.
• Track your payments with the PSLF Help Tool or your loan servicer’s dashboard to make sure every qualifying payment counts.
• Save everything including emails, letters and confirmation numbers, and follow up with your servicer if anything looks wrong.

Align Repayment Plan for Forgiveness

Your repayment structure makes a real difference. Income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, such as SAVE, PAYE, IBR, or ICR, help you qualify for forgiveness. The SAVE plan was once the most affordable, capping payments at just 5% of discretionary income and pausing interest. In 2025, legal issues and policy changes caused disruptions. 

Now, borrowers are urged to explore other options since interest has resumed. Stay tuned: by summer 2026, SAVE may be replaced with the new RAP plan, which will have simpler rules but could mean less generous payments.

Layer programs strategically

You can stack forgiveness across programs, but timing and sequencing matter. Begin with programs like Nurse Corps or NHSC that eliminate large chunks of debt quickly. Use federal PSLF or state programs for any remaining debt. This is especially useful if you're in public service and working on your 120 qualifying payments. And remember, each loan may qualify differently. Review your loan types and program rules to avoid overlap or disqualification.

Ready to Take Control of Your Nursing Debt?

You’ve worked too hard to let student loans hold you back. With student loan forgiveness for nurses expanding and new repayment options on the horizon, now is the time to act. Every month you wait is another payment that could have been erased. At Achieve, with our LPN to RN, LPN to BSN and CNA to RN, among other bridge pathways, we specialize in helping nurses fast-track their goals, simplify the process, and move closer to financial freedom, without the red tape. Take the first step today: let Achieve help you get there faster.