| Title: |
Student Loan Programs Authorized by the Public Health Service Act: An Overview. CRS Report R46720, Version 3. Updated |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Elayne J. Heisler; Alexandra Hegji; Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service (CRS) |
| Source: |
Congressional Research Service. 2025. |
| Availability: |
Congressional Research Service. Web site: https://crsreports.congress.gov/ |
| Peer Reviewed: |
N |
| Page Count: |
25 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Intended Audience: |
Policymakers |
| Document Type: |
Reports - Descriptive |
| Education Level: |
Higher Education; Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: |
Student Loan Programs; Federal Legislation; Educational Finance; Nursing Students; Allied Health Occupations Education; Low Income Students; Financial Support; Higher Education; Loan Repayment; Eligibility |
| Abstract: |
The Public Health Service Act (PHSA, 42 U.S.C. §§201 et. seq.) authorizes five student loan programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): (1) Health Professions Student Loans; (2) Loans for Disadvantaged Students; (3) Primary Care Loans; (4) Nursing Student Loans; and (5) Nurse Faculty Loan Program. These programs aim to, among other purposes, assist students who are from low-income backgrounds with the costs of attending health professional schools, to diversify the health workforce, and to increase the number of primary care physicians. This report describes PHSA student loan programs, including borrower eligibility requirements, loan terms and conditions, and administrative rules. It also briefly describes the Health Education Assistance Loan (HEAL) program, a related student loan program authorized under the PHSA that was previously administered by HRSA and is now administered by ED. The report concludes with a table comparing these programs by borrower type, repayment terms, the number of participating schools, and the number and financial amount of outstanding loans. |
| Abstractor: |
ERIC |
| Entry Date: |
2025 |
| Accession Number: |
ED674687 |
| Database: |
ERIC |