Iowa Student Loan Nursing Education Loan Forgiveness Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who is eligible to apply for the program?

A. Students who are enrolled in registered nursing programs or post-baccalaureate nursing educator programs at an accredited Iowa college or university can apply. Nursing educators who are enrolled in non-nursing doctoral programs that qualify them to teach nursing are also eligible to apply.

Q. Once approved, who is eligible for the forgiveness of their education loans?

A. All nurse educators* and RNs who graduate from an accredited Iowa college or university and who are employed full time in Iowa and have a qualifying education loan will be eligible to apply for forgiveness benefits. RNs must be providing direct patient care in order to qualify for loan forgiveness benefits.

Q. If students are approved one year, do they need to reapply for the loan forgiveness program each year that they remain in school?

A. No, once students are approved they do no need to reapply; however, a student who is not approved can reapply for consideration the following year.

Q. Can I apply once I have completed my academic program?

A. If you complete your academic program before Sept. 1 of the current application year, you will not be eligible for consideration.  Please note, however, that a Registered Nurse who returns to school for an additional degree (such as a BSN or MSN) is eligible to apply.  Furthermore, loan forgiveness benefits may be available immediately if the applicant is approved and is able to continue eligible employment while pursuing the additional degree.

Q. How soon after completing my educational program do I have to begin employment in Iowa?

A. In general, you must be employed full time, as defined by your employer, within 12 months of the completion of your educational program.

Q. What happens if I am an approved applicant and I change my projected program completion date or continue on for a BSN after completing an ADN?

A. If you change your program completion dates or degree goals, you can request an extension of your forgiveness approval to coincide with those changes by calling (800) 243-7552, ext. 7656 or (515) 273-7656.

Q. What happens if I am an approved applicant, but I do not practice in the shortage area for which I was approved? For example, what if I was approved for long-term care nursing but eventually work in a hospital in a rural county?

A. If you go into areas of service that are different than the areas for which you were originally approved, you may be eligible to have your award adjusted. Please note: award adjustments are less likely for applicants approved during the 2007-08 and subsequent award years. For inquiries, please call (800) 243-7552, ext. 7656 or (515) 273-7656.

Q. What educational loans qualify for forgiveness through the program?

A. Qualifying education loans include:

• Federal Family Education Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans that is owned or serviced by Iowa Student Loan.
• Partnership (student) Loan or other private (student) loan owned or serviced by Iowa Student Loan.
• Federal Consolidation Loans (including Federal Direct Loans) consolidated with Iowa Student Loan.

Q. How long do I have to work in Iowa to qualify for the forgiveness benefit?

A. Partial forgiveness is made after one year of service, building to 100% forgiveness after four years of service.

Q. If I have questions about the program, who should I contact?

A. Send an e-mail to mbrown@studentloan.org or call (800) 243-7552, ext. 7656 or (515) 273-7656.

^*Part-time employment may qualify for partial year forgiveness (nurse educators only).