Montana Student Loan Forgiveness Programs To Reduce Your Debt

• Montana student loan forgiveness can help you reduce or eliminate debt if you work in healthcare, education, or other high-need fields. State and federal programs also offer relief.

• If you don’t qualify, options like employer repayment assistance, refinancing, or hardship programs can make payments more manageable.

• Applying correctly is key. Check deadlines, choose the right repayment plan, and submit required paperwork to stay on track.

Montana student loan forgiveness programs can help wipe out debt for teachers, healthcare workers, and public service employees.

The state offers loan repayment programs for professionals in high-need fields, while federal programs like PSLF and IDR forgiveness provide additional relief. But not everyone qualifies, and small mistakes can cost you thousands.

Here’s what you need to know about Montana’s loan forgiveness options, how to apply, and what to do if you don’t qualify.

Related: State Programs for Student Loan Forgiveness

Montana provides loan repayment assistance for professionals in high-need fields, including healthcare, education, and agriculture. These programs help reduce student loan debt in exchange for service in designated areas.

Here’s what’s available and how to qualify.

Montana State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)

The Montana SLRP helps recruit and retain healthcare professionals in underserved areas by providing loan repayment assistance. Related: Student Loan Forgiveness for Healthcare Workers

• Who qualifies? Physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, mental health professionals, and other primary care providers working in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).

• What do you get? Up to $25,000 per year for a minimum two-year commitment. Part-time providers receive prorated awards.

• Commitment: Must work full-time or part-time at an approved HPSA site in Montana.

• Apply through: The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS).

Montana Rural Physician Incentive Program (MRPIP)

MRPIP provides financial incentives to physicians practicing in rural Montana, helping to alleviate medical professional shortages. Related: Rural Medicine Loan Forgiveness

• Who qualifies? Licensed M.D. or D.O. physicians who practice in designated rural areas in Montana.

• What do you get? Up to $150,000 in loan repayment assistance over a five-year period.

• Commitment: Must practice medicine full-time in an eligible rural Montana community.

• Apply through: The Montana University System (MUS).

Quality Educator Loan Assistance Program (QELAP)

QELAP supports Montana educators teaching in rural and high-need school districts by offering loan repayment assistance.

• Who qualifies? Licensed Montana educators working full-time in designated critical shortage areas.

• What do you get? Up to $3,000 in Year 1, $4,000 in Year 2, and $5,000 in Year 3. A fourth-year award of up to $5,000 may be available if funded by the local school district.

• Commitment: Must teach full-time in a high-need Montana school for up to three years.

• Apply through: The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI).

Montana Institutional Nursing Incentive Program (MINIP)

MINIP helps registered nurses working in Montana state hospitals and correctional facilities repay their student loans. Related: Student Loan Forgiveness for Nurses

• Who qualifies? Registered nurses with an active Montana nursing license working full-time in a state-run healthcare facility (such as a hospital or prison).

• What do you get? Up to $15,000 total, disbursed as $3,750 per year over four years.

• Commitment: Must maintain full-time nursing employment at an eligible Montana facility.

• Apply through: The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS).

Montana Agriculture Student Loan Assistance Program

The Montana Agriculture Student Loan Assistance Program supports young farmers and ranchers who have student loan debt, encouraging them to stay in Montana’s agricultural industry.

• Who qualifies? Montana residents with an associate or bachelor’s degree in agriculture-related fields who own or operate a farm or ranch in the state.

• What do you get? Loan assistance covering up to 50% of the outstanding loan balance, with a minimum award of $5,000 over five years.

• Commitment: Must continue working in Montana agriculture for at least five years.

• Apply through: The Montana Department of Agriculture.

Montana offers several state-based loan forgiveness programs, but many borrowers may also qualify for federal student loan forgiveness. These national programs provide relief based on employment, income, or other qualifying factors.

If you don’t meet the requirements for Montana-specific programs—or need additional help—here are the federal options available.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): For government and nonprofit workers, PSLF forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying payments under an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan. Borrowers must work full-time for PSLF qualifying employers.

• Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Forgiveness: Borrowers on SAVE, PAYE or REPAYE, and IBR plans can have their remaining balance forgiven after 20 or 25 years of qualifying payments, depending on the plan. Monthly payments are based on income and family size.

• Teacher Loan Forgiveness: Educators who teach full-time for five years in a low-income school or educational service agency may qualify for up to $17,500 in forgiveness on Direct or FFEL Loans.

• Perkins Loan Cancellation: Borrowers with federal Perkins Loans may have up to 100% of their loan canceled if they work in certain public service roles, including teaching, nursing, law enforcement, and military service.

• Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Discharge: Borrowers with a total and permanent disability may have their federal student loans discharged by submitting medical documentation from the VA, SSA, or a physician.

• Borrower Defense to Repayment & Closed School Discharge: Students misled by their school or those whose school closed while they were enrolled may qualify for full loan discharge under these federal protections.

Related: How to Apply for Student Loan Forgiveness?

Not everyone qualifies for state or federal loan forgiveness, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.

Here’s what you can do if you don’t meet the requirements:

• Check for Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAPs). Some Montana employers, hospitals, and nonprofits offer student loan repayment assistance, even if you don’t qualify for PSLF or state programs. Ask your HR department if they provide loan repayment benefits.

• Consider student loan refinancing. If you have high-interest loans and don’t plan to use federal forgiveness programs, refinancing through a private lender could lower your interest rate and reduce your monthly payment. Just be aware that refinancing eliminates federal protections like income-driven repayment and deferment.

• Look into hardship options. If you’re struggling with payments, you may qualify for deferment or forbearance, which can temporarily pause or reduce payments. Just remember that interest may still accrue during this period.

• Explore state and local grants. Some Montana cities, counties, and professional organizations offer grants or scholarships to help professionals in high-need fields. These aren’t technically “loan forgiveness,” but they can still reduce your debt burden.

Loan forgiveness isn’t automatic—one mistake can set you back years or disqualify you completely.

Here’s what to watch out for:

• Not submitting PSLF employer certification forms annually. If you’re aiming for PSLF, you need to submit an Employer Certification Form (ECF) every year to confirm if your job qualifies. Many borrowers don’t realize they aren’t on track until it’s too late. Related: Is it Too Late to Apply for Student Loan Forgiveness?

• Making payments on the wrong repayment plan. PSLF only counts payments made under an IDR plan. If you’re on the wrong plan, none of your payments will count.

• Failing to verify that your employer qualifies. PSLF only applies to government and nonprofit jobs. Some contractors don’t qualify, even if they work for a nonprofit. Always verify before assuming your job meets the requirements. See if your job qualifies for PSLF now.

• Missing deadlines for state programs. Many Montana state loan forgiveness programs have annual application deadlines and limited funding. If you miss the deadline, you may have to wait another year—or miss out entirely.

• Not consolidating loans when required. Consolidate FFEL into a Direct Loan to qualify for PSLF or IDR forgiveness. Many borrowers don’t realize this until they’ve wasted years making ineligible payments.

Montana student loan forgiveness programs offer real opportunities to reduce or eliminate your debt. Whether through state-based repayment assistance or federal forgiveness programs like PSLF and IDR, there are options to make student loans more manageable.

The key is knowing which programs you qualify for and taking the right steps to apply.

If you’re not sure where to start, we’re here to help.

Book a call with our student loan expert to get clear, personalized guidance.

We’ll walk you through your options, answer your questions, and make sure you’re on the best path toward loan forgiveness. Relief is possible—you just need the right plan. Let’s get started.

Related Readings:

• Are Federal Student Loans Forgiven After 25 Years

• Best Repayment Plan for Student Loans

• How Long Do Student Loans Stay on Your Credit