1. Who can apply for the Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program?

To be eligible, the following providers must work in inpatient, outpatient, or community settings at a qualified Oregon practice site (see question 3): 

Eligible Licensed Provider Types

• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
• Psychiatrists (General, Child and Adolescent, or Geriatric)
• Clinical Psychologists  
• Licensed Clinical Social Workers  
• Licensed Professional Counselors  
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists  

Licensed providers working in clinic-based outpatient settings are encouraged to apply to the Oregon Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program. 

Eligible Pre-Licensed Provider Types

• Clinical Social Workers
• Counseling or Clinical Psychologists
• Professional Counselors
• Marriage and Family Counselors 

Eligible Associate, Bachelor’s, or Master’s Level Provider Types 

• Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA)
• Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP)
• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Level I
• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Level II 

QMHAs and QMHPs must meet the definitions and standards outlined in OAR 409 - 036 - 0000 (27) and (28). 

2. When are applications due?

Applications and awards are processed on a rolling basis. For current application deadlines and application materials, please visit the ORH website.

3. What is a qualified Loan Repayment practice site?

To confirm a practice site’s eligibility, awardees must request the site to complete a Qualified Site Application, unless it has already been approved by ORH. Before submitting an application, we strongly encourage contacting ORH with any questions about site eligibility. 

To be approved for the Behavioral Health Loan Repayment program, a practice site must: 

• Be located in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), have a Facility HPSA designation, serve in an underserved area or area of unmet need; OR
• Serve Medicaid and/or Medicare patients in a proportion equal to or greater than the county average; OR  
• Provide essential health care services to an underserved population, as determined by OHA; AND  
• Have a current Qualified Site Application on file with ORH, dated within the past 12 months and have received confirmation of site qualification.

4. Can I accept other loan repayment funding? 

No. You must complete your service obligation under the Oregon Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program before applying to any other service-based loan repayment programs, including: 

• Oregon Partnership State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)  
• Oregon Health Care Provider Incentive Loan Repayment Program
• National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
• NURSE Corps
• Any other state, federal, or local service-obligation loan repayment program 

Exception: The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program is not considered a conflicting obligation. If you intend to apply for PSLF, please notify ORH at ruralworkforce@ohsu.edu. 

See question 15 for information regarding employer-sponsored incentives.  

5. What is considered "full-time" and "part-time"?

Direct patient care includes activities such as charting, medication management, follow-ups, and consultations. Most administrative duties do not count toward your required hours. Additionally, the following are not counted toward weekly service hours: 

• On-call time
• Travel time (even if related to patient care) 

Service hour requirements: 

• Full-time: Minimum of 32 hours per week of direct patient care
• Part-time: Minimum of 16 hours per week of direct patient care

6. Can I change my direct patient care hours from full-time to part-time or part-time to full-time?

Awardees may request to change their service level from full-time to part-time, but not from part-time to full-time. Prior approval from OHA is required before making any adjustments to direct patient care hours. If you expect to fall below your required service hours, please contact ORH as soon as possible at ruralworkforce@ohsu.edu. 

7. If awarded, what loans are considered approved loans?

Only the student loans listed in your award letter are eligible for repayment. If you're unsure which loans are covered, please contact ORH at ruralworkforce@ohsu.edu. 

8. When should I expect to receive program payment? 

ORH collects invoices on a quarterly basis during a designated month (e.g., December) and then submits them to OHA for processing the following month (e.g., January). Once received by OHA, payment processing may take up to 60 days. Payments are issued either by direct deposit (if an Electronic Funds Transfer [EFT] form has been submitted) or by check. 

9. What do I do once I receive program payment? 

Awardees must make quarterly payments toward their approved student loans in an amount equal to or greater than the quarterly disbursement. Proof of payment must be submitted with the next quarter’s invoice to receive the following payment. 

Example: If your first payment is issued in January, you must apply that amount to your approved loans and provide proof of payment by the end of March, along with your new invoice, to receive your second payment by April. 

10. What if my personal information (e.g. last name, email address, banking information) changes? 

To update your name, home address, phone number, personal email, or bank account information for award disbursements, please contact ORH at ruralworkforce@ohsu.edu. Depending on the type of update, additional documentation may be required. 

11. Are Loan Repayment awards taxable? 

No. Loan Repayment awards are tax-free. 

12. When are award funds distributed, and which service year(s) do they apply to? 

Once selected, awardees will be contacted by OHA to sign the Loan Repayment contract. Funds are disbursed quarterly throughout the duration of the service commitment (minimum of three years). For specific disbursement details, refer to the table in Section 2 of your Loan Repayment Agreement. 

13. What happens if I do not fulfill the service commitment? 

If an awardee does not fulfill their service obligation, penalties may include: 

• Repayment of all loan repayment funds provided for unserved periods; AND
• $7,500 for each month of the minimum service period not completed; AND
• Interest on these amounts at the maximum prevailing rate (as determined by the Oregon Department of Revenue), accruing from the date of breach until full repayment.

14. Can I work in an inpatient setting? 

Yes. Unlike the Oregon Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program, the Oregon Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program allows awardees to work at a qualified practice site providing services in an inpatient, outpatient or community setting.  

15. Can I accept employer-sponsored incentives? 

Incentives or benefits offered directly by the awardee’s employer – such as signing or relocation bonuses - are generally allowed. To avoid any potential conflicts with your loan repayment award, it’s important to consult with ORH before accepting any additional funds or benefits. 

16. What if I need to transfer to another qualified practice site?  

If an awardee’s site closes or they encounter extenuating circumstances, they may request approval to transfer to another qualifying site. To initiate a transfer request: 

• Email ORH at ruralworkforce@ohsu.edu at least 30 days in advance.
• Complete and submit a Site Transfer Form, which will be reviewed by ORH and must be approved by OHA. All transfer requests must receive OHA approval at least 30 days prior to the proposed change.
• Wait for written approval from OHA before making any changes—including transfers within the same health system. 

Note: Site transfers are intended to be rare and will not be granted without prior written approval. 

17. What happens if I lose my job at a qualified site? 

Awardees are still responsible for securing employment. Awardees may request a temporary suspension of your obligation, valid for up to six months at a time. During a suspension, no payments will be disbursed, and the awardees service commitment period may be extended. Email ORH at ruralworkforce@ohsu.edu if you experience or expect any changes to your employment.  

18. How does vacation, sick leave, or other time away from work affect my service commitment?  

Awardees may take up to seven weeks (224 hours) of leave per contract year, either consecutively or spread out. A service week is defined as any 7-day period in which a participant provides at least 32 hours of direct patient care. The number of days worked to reach those hours is not important. This approach ensures that individuals working three days a week and those working five days a week are treated the same. 

Leave includes: 

• Holidays
• CME days
• Vacation time
• Any other time not spent providing direct patient care at your approved site 

If an awardee expects to exceed seven weeks, depending on the circumstance (e.g., military leave, medical and/or parental leave), they must submit a Temporary Suspension of Service Form (TSSF) for review by ORH and approval by OHA. TSSF requests must be approved by OHA at least 30 days in advance.  

Note: Approved temporary suspensions will extend an awardee’s end date for completion of the service commitment.

19. What if I experience harassment or a hostile work environment? 

If you’re feeling uncomfortable in your work environment or community, please reach out to ORH at ruralworkforce@ohsu.edu for guidance and support. We’re here to help you navigate any challenges you may be facing. 

20. Who should I contact with questions? 

For more information about program requirements, please contact ORH at ruralworkforce@ohsu.edu or 503-494-4450. For contract-related questions, please contact the OHA at providerincentives@dhsoha.oregon.gov or 541-671-9239. 

What is a "qualifying educational loan"?

For the Oregon Partnership State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) qualifying educational loan means one or more government or commercial loans received solely to cover the cost of post-baccalaureate health professional training or undergraduate educational training in the case of an expanded practice dental hygienist. This does not include credit card loans, lines of credit, private loans, and personal loans. 

For the Oregon Health Care Provider Incentive Loan Repayment (PILP) qualifying educational loan means one or more government or commercial loans received solely to cover the cost of health professional training, or undergraduate or other educational training. This does not include credit card loans, lines of credit, and personal loans. This does not include credit card loans, lines of credit, private loans, and personal loans. 

For the Oregon Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program (OBHLRP) qualifying educational loan means one or more government or commercial loans received solely to cover the cost of health professional training, or undergraduate or other educational training. This does not include credit card loans, lines of credit, and personal loans. This does not include credit card loans, lines of credit, private loans, and personal loans. 

Do Loan Repayment Programs consider accrued interest to be qualifying debt?

The Oregon Partnership State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) calculates award amounts based on the applicant's qualifying educational loan's principal balance. When calculating a Loan Repayment award, interest on qualified educational loans is deducted from the loan balance. 

The Oregon Health Care Provider Incentive Loan Repayment (PILP) calculates award amounts based on the applicant's total qualifying educational loan's balance, including interest. 

The Oregon Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program (OBHLRP) calculates award amounts based on the applicant's total qualifying educational loan's balance, including interest. 

What type of loan documentation is required when submitting my application?

Loan documentation must: 

• Be in the form of lender statements dated within 30 days of submission; AND Clearly show:
• Your name; AND
• The account number; AND
• The current balance; AND
• The loan's date of origination and/or school name; AND
• The loan's original disbursement amount 

Online printouts are acceptable as long as they include all of the required information. Loan documentation must be free of any notes and/or calculations. Any documentation that includes any handwritten or typed notes, calculations, highlights, redactions, or any other form of alterations will be deemed ineligible. 

Most applicants report they can download detailed statements from their loan provider's website. However, some applicants have noted they need to call their loan provider to obtain the proper documentation. 

Can I submit the monthly statement I receive from my loan provider as proof of my debt?

Monthly statements that you receive from your loan provider often lack the required level of detail needed to prove debt origination information. 

What if my educational loans have been consolidated?

Consolidated educational loans may be allowed. However, detailed documentation on your consolidation will be required. Documentation must include the original disbursement dates, to which intuition(s) the original loans were disbursed, and details on what was included in the consolidation. Most applicants report they can easily find this information on their lender's website. 

What if my educational loans have been refinanced?

Refinanced educational loans may be allowed. However, detailed documentation on what was included in the refinancing will be required. Documentation must consist of the original disbursement dates, to which intuition(s) the original loans were disbursed, and details on what was included. Most applicants report they can find this information on their lender's website easily. Loans that are refinanced with a private bank may not be eligible. Don't hesitate to get in touch with ORH for more information. 

Do I need to submit my loan documentation in the form of PDFs?

PDF is the preferred file type when submitting all documentation related to your application. ORH is able to accept. JPEG, .TIFF or .PNG files so long as they are attached to an email rather than embedded. ORH's email firewall blocks files embedded in emails. ORH is unable to accept files that can be altered (e.g., .doc & .TXT files), even if they are converted to a different file type before they are submitted. 

What if I am unable to provide adequate documentation on my educational loans?

Loan documentation supplied by applicants must meet Healthcare Provider Incentive Loan Repayment requirements and establish a clear link between current account balances and post-baccalaureate health professional training. A very small portion of applicant’s reports they are unable to obtain documents with the required level of detail. This is usually due to loans being consolidated more than once or loan providers selling loans and then deleting old account information. ORH is unable to accept loan documentation that does not meet the minimum requirements outlined by the program. Applications that do not meet the documentation requirements will not be reviewed for award consideration. 

I would like to make changes to the educational loans I submitted when I applied to my program. Could this affect my award?

Yes. Any changes made to your loans that ORH deemed as "qualifying educational debt" when you entered into your Loan Repayment program contract may seriously affect your Loan Repayment award. In the most severe cases, it could even put you in breach of your Loan Repayment program contract. Therefore, if you would like to make changes to your loans, you must first contact ORH to see how your proposed changes may affect your Loan Repayment award. Changes to your loans include, but are not limited to: consolidations, refinancing, transferring to a new loan servicer, paying off your loans in full while still under your Loan Repayment obligation, etc. 

What if my educational loan servicer transfers my loans to another loan servicer?

If your loan servicer informs you that they will be making changes to your loans, you must notify ORH as soon as possible. Documentation from your loan servicer must be submitted to ORH showing that your loans will be transferred, along with the current debt amount and the new account information. Loans transferred from your Federal account servicer to a private loan servicer will disqualify those loans, as Private Loans do not qualify for Loan Repayment programs. 

What types of loans are NOT eligible for Loan Repayment?

The following loans do not qualify for Loan Repayment: 

• Loans for which the applicant incurred a service obligation, which will not be fulfilled before the deadline for submission of the provider's application;
• Loans for which the associated documentation cannot identify that the loan was solely applicable to the health profession education of the applicant;
• Loans not obtained from a Government entity or private student loan lending institution;
• Loans already repaid in full;
• Primary Care Loans;
• Parent PLUS Loans (made to parents);
• Personal lines of credit;
• Loans subject to cancellation;
• Residency loans;
• Credit Card debt;
• Personal Private loans;
• Loans currently inactive student status, in forbearance, or deferment not related to COVID-19. 

Who should I contact if I have questions about acceptable loans or required documentation?

For additional information on Provider Incentive Loan Repayments, don't hesitate to contact the Oregon Office of Rural Health at ruralworkforce@ohsu.edu or 503-494-4450.