Up to $100k+ Towards Student Loan Forgiveness - The NHSC Scholarship

thepredentalguide
May 31
4 min read

Updated: Jul 11

Welcome back, readers, to a blog post that can change the trajectory of your financial freedom as you enter the dental profession. If the title caught your attention, we’ll be discussing an opportunity to earn your dental school education debt-free, earn a competitive salary, and provide essential dentistry to underserved communities.

Why Financial Independence Matters in Dentistry

There is a running joke in our profession that dentistry is coined “debtistry.” With dental school tuition soaring into six-figure debts of $500,000 to $800,000, combined with a 7-8% federal interest rate, this worry is valid. If becoming a dentist is on your vision board, creating a plan for financial independence needs to be at the forefront of your mind.

In other blog posts, we’ve discussed how the HPSP/HSCP scholarship in the military offers one path to a full-ride scholarship in dental school. This blog explores student loan forgiveness opportunities through the National Health Service Corps Scholarship (NHSC) and the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program (LRP).

Understanding NHSC Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs

What is the NHSC Scholarship Program?

Candidates: Incoming D1 students or current dental students enrolled in an accredited U.S. Dental School.
Competitiveness: Approximately 180 scholarships are offered nationwide each year.
Provides:

- Full tuition coverage.

- A monthly living stipend.

- Financial support for required fees, including books and typodont teeth.

Service repayment: You will need to complete one year of service for each year of dental school funded, typically four years, with a minimum commitment of two years.
Ideal for: Students who want to graduate dental school debt-free.

What is the NHSC Loan Repayment Program (LRP)?

Candidates: Licensed dentists who are already working or interested in working at an NHSC-approved site.
Competitiveness: It depends on federal budget allocation.
Provides:

- Up to $50,000 in tax-free loan repayment for a two-year full-time commitment.

Service repayment: You must provide high-quality, patient-centered dentistry at an NHSC-approved site in a high-need community, typically in high-volume Medicaid offices.
Ideal for: Licensed professionals with student debt.

Eligibility for NHSC Programs

To qualify for the NHSC Scholarship or LRP, you must meet the following criteria:

Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
Hold an unrestricted dental license in the state where the NHSC-approved site is located.
Have a qualifying educational loan type (note that not all federal/private loans qualify for NHSC).
Obtain Medicare or Medicaid credentials.
Be employed or accept employment at an NHSC-approved site in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) — usually found in rural, underserved communities.

California’s Hidden Gem: Kids2Dentist

The last eligibility criterion brings to light a well-kept secret employment opportunity. What’s an example of an NHSC-approved site? I began my second tour as a U.S. Navy Lieutenant and general dentist stationed at Naval Medical Readiness Training Center in Lemoore, Central California. While many recognize famous urban areas like Los Angeles and San Francisco, the Central Valley offers a small-town feel with stunning landscapes, such as Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park.

This region is an agricultural hub with a significant population of blue-collar, migrant workers in underserved communities. While I enjoy my duties as a Navy dentist, I find incredible fulfillment working at Kids2Dentist in Visalia, which also has offices in Fresno, Porterville, and Delano. The founder of Kids2Dentist is a NHSC scholarship recipient dedicated to providing dental services to underserved populations. They currently offer employment opportunities as an NHSC-approved site.

Why Choose Kids2Dentist as an Associate or NHSC LRP Recipient

If you are ready to graduate dental school or are a practicing dentist open to treating children, this opportunity may be perfect for you. Here are some benefits of working at Kids2Dentist:

Serve Underserved Communities: You will make a significant impact by providing dental care to children in need. Early intervention can be pivotal in prevention and oral hygiene.
Loan Repayment Assistance: Benefit from the NHSC LRP to reduce your educational debt while earning a competitive base salary of $220,000/year, with opportunities for production bonuses.
Supportive Environment: Work with a multidisciplinary team focused on improving children's oral health in Central California. Collaborate with board-certified pediatric dentists, oral surgeons, and orthodontists.
Mentorship: After working in the military for three years, I had not treated a child in over five years. Kids2Dentist offers mentorship, including monthly study clubs led by Dr. Brent Tucker, a pediatric residency faculty member at UCLA. This team also organizes two CE conferences each year, featuring world-renowned specialists at no cost to us. I shadowed expert clinicians to gain confidence before treating patients.
Access to Technology: Kids2Dentist features advanced capabilities like CBCT and an iTero scanner, enhancing treatment options and collaboration among specialists.

If this opportunity interests you, your next question may be: how do I apply for the NHSC scholarship or LRP?

Application Timeline and Process

The application cycle for the NHSC LRP opens for a limited time each year. For 2025, the cycle runs from March 27, 2025, to May 8, 2025. Timeliness is crucial; ensure you have all your documents prepared. Here's what you will need:

Begin the application with eligibility questions, such as U.S. citizenship and any federal debt, followed by inquiries about your academic background and the school you plan to attend.
You will need one academic and one non-academic letter of recommendation (LOR).
Prepare one personal statement.
Submit the following documents:

- An acceptance report completed by the dental school administrator.

- Authorization to release information.

- Current year tuition information.

- Your personal essay.

- Proof of U.S. citizenship.

- Unofficial transcript.

- Verification of a disadvantaged background (this can be submitted by your school or self-attested through your FAFSA summary page).

For more detailed information, refer to the official NHSC federal guidelines here: NHSC Scholarship Application Guidance.

Contact for Opportunities

For more information regarding professional opportunities at Kids2Dentist or Star Tek Adult Dental, please reach out to Michelle Ammons, HR Director, at hr@kids2dentist.com. To take the next step, include your resume or CV. Phone conversations are available upon request after initial email contact.