The New Mexico Higher Education Department is providing student debt relief payments to more than 400 health professionals through the Health Professional Loan Repayment Program. This brings the total number of healthcare professionals in New Mexico receiving assistance through the program to 1,213, with 401 new recipients added this year.
The program will distribute $24.4 million in debt relief, contingent on awardees working for at least three years in high-need communities across the state. Recipients represent a range of healthcare fields: this year’s group includes 56 allied health practitioners, 102 mental health professionals, 128 nurses, 104 medical doctors, and 11 dental professionals.
Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez stated, “The Health Professional Loan Repayment Program is one of the most impactful investments we’ve made in New Mexico’s future. What started in 2019 has grown into something that is changing lives for thousands of health care professionals by expanding access to care in every corner of the state and ensuring New Mexicans can more easily access providers when they need care.”
Since its launch in 2019, the program has expanded significantly—by approximately 3,500 percent. The initiative covers over 25 eligible health occupations and licenses across allied health, dental, medical, and mental health professions. Eligible roles include medical doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and advanced practice nurses, mental health counselors, licensed clinical social workers, speech language pathologists and occupational therapists.
A full list of eligible professions can be found on the department’s website at hed.nm.gov. Applications for next year’s cycle will open March 15.
