Nurse Student Loan Forgiveness in Arizona: What You Can Get

• You can qualify for federal forgiveness like PSLF, IDR, or Nurse Corps if you work in nonprofit or high-need healthcare settings.

• Arizona’s state program offers up to $50,000 in loan repayment for nurses serving in rural or shortage areas.

• Local scholarships and university programs can cut costs up front or help pay down existing nursing debt.

Arizona nurses carry some of the highest student loan burdens in the country. But if you’re working in healthcare, public service, or education, there are programs that can lower your balance or even wipe it out completely.

You may qualify for:

• Federal forgiveness through PSLF, IDR, or Nurse Corps

• State repayment help through Arizona’s own loan repayment program

• Scholarships and grants tied to your education level, employer, or service area

This guide breaks down what Arizona nurses can actually use: what qualifies, how much you can get, and how to stack your options for maximum relief.

Let’s get into it.

Related: Student Loan Forgiveness for Nurses

Nurses in Arizona can qualify for major federal programs that reduce or eliminate student debt, particularly for those working in public health, tribal clinics, or nonprofit hospitals.

These options apply no matter where you live in the state.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you work full-time for a nonprofit hospital, tribal health facility, VA center, or government clinic, PSLF can erase your remaining federal loan balance after 120 qualifying payments (about 10 years).

To stay on track:

• Make sure you’re on an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan

• Submit the PSLF Employment Certification Form every year

• Work full-time (30+ hours/week) for a PSLF qualifying employer

You must have Direct Loans to qualify. If you have FFEL or Perkins Loans, you’ll need to consolidate first.

Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Forgiveness

Even if you don’t qualify for PSLF, you can still get forgiveness through an IDR plan.

These plans cap your monthly payment based on income and family size. After 20 or 25 years of payments, the remaining balance is forgiven.

IDR forgiveness is:

• Available to almost any federal loan borrower

• A good fit if your income is low compared to your debt

• Tax-free through 2025, with possible extensions

Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program

The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program forgives up to 85% of nursing school debt for those serving in Critical Shortage Facilities in high-need areas.

To qualify:

• Work as an RN, NP, or nurse faculty

• Serve at a facility with a qualifying HPSA score

• Commit to at least two years of service

Beyond federal programs like PSLF and Nurse Corps, Arizona also offers state-level support for nurses serving in areas where care is most needed.

If you’re working in a rural clinic, tribal facility, or high-need community, these programs can help pay down your loans faster.

Related: State Student Loan Forgiveness Programs in Arizona

• Arizona State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)

Nurses working in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) may qualify for significant loan repayment support through SLRP. This includes RNs, NPs, nurse midwives, and psychiatric nurses serving in eligible primary care or behavioral health roles.

• Indian Health Service (IHS) Loan Repayment Program

Nurses serving in tribal health facilities across Arizona may be eligible for up to $50,000 in repayment support through the IHS program. These positions often overlap with PSLF-qualifying employers, offering a strong path to full forgiveness.

Loan forgiveness isn’t your only option. Arizona nurses can also tap into scholarships, grants, and school-based programs that offer funding or reduce the cost of nursing education.

Whether you’re still in school, going back for an advanced degree, or working in a high-need area, these resources can help you stay on track and avoid more debt.

Scholarships and Grants

• Arizona Foundation for the Future of Nursing (AzFFN): Offers scholarships to undergraduate and graduate nursing students in Arizona.

• Arizona Community Foundation (ACF): Provides a range of scholarships for Arizona residents, including those pursuing nursing degrees.

• Arizona Department of Health Services Grants: Funds scholarships for accelerated nursing programs, requiring recipients to commit to practicing in Arizona for at least four years after graduation.

• National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) Scholarships: In partnership with Arizona College of Nursing, offers scholarships to undergraduate nursing students of Hispanic or Latino descent.

Institutional Programs

• Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) at Arizona State University: Provides up to 85% loan forgiveness for students in advanced nursing programs who commit to teaching full-time for four consecutive years after graduation.

• Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) Scholarship at the University of Arizona: Offers $25,000 scholarships to DNP students specializing in areas like Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, with guaranteed clinical placements in Arizona.

• Northern Arizona University’s Accelerated BSN Program: Supported by a $6.4 million grant, this program provides full-tuition scholarships to students who already hold degrees in other fields and wish to pursue nursing.

Nurse student loan forgiveness in Arizona isn’t limited to one path. Federal programs like PSLF, IDR, and Nurse Corps offer serious relief for nurses working in public or nonprofit healthcare.

Arizona’s loan repayment program adds thousands more for those serving rural or underserved communities. Local scholarships and school-based funding cut costs before debt even starts.

Want clarity on what applies to you?

Book a call with our student loan expert.

We’ll review your loans, job, and career goals, then build a clear plan to move forward.

Related Readings:

• Are Nurses Eligible for PSLF

• Student Loan Forgiveness for Healthcare Workers

• How Does Student Loan Forgiveness Work