South Dakota Student Loan Forgiveness: See What Applies to You

• Most South Dakota forgiveness programs are only for healthcare workers in rural areas.

• You can still qualify for federal options like PSLF, Teacher Loan Forgiveness, or IDR.

• If none of that fits, you can still lower your payments and build a path toward long-term relief.

South Dakota has a few student loan forgiveness programs, but most are built for healthcare professionals in specific rural or underserved areas. If that’s not you, it’s easy to feel like you’ve hit a dead end.

But state programs aren’t your only option. Federal forgiveness is still in play, and thousands of South Dakota borrowers have already used programs like PSLF, Teacher Loan Forgiveness, or IDR to cut their debt or clear it entirely.

This guide sorts out what’s actually available—state and federal—and helps you figure out what steps make sense based on your job, your loan type, and where you live.

Related: State Programs for Student Loan Forgiveness

South Dakota offers several state-specific student loan forgiveness programs aimed at assisting borrowers, particularly those in the healthcare sector.

Below are key programs available to eligible professionals:​

1. South Dakota State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)

South Dakota SLRP incentivize healthcare professionals to serve in federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) within the state.​ Related: Student Loan Forgiveness for Healthcare Workers

Eligibility Criteria: Physicians (MD or DO), dentists, dental hygienists, nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, physician assistants, health service psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, psychiatric nurse specialists, licensed professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, registered nurses, pharmacists, and alcohol/substance abuse counselors.
Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national.

• Hold a valid South Dakota license.​

• Commit to a two-year service obligation at an eligible site located in a federally designated HPSA.​

• Possess unpaid government or commercial loans for school tuition, reasonable education, and living expenses related to their education.

• Loans must not be consolidated with non-educational debts.​

Benefits:

• Up to $25,000 per year for full-time service.

• Up to $12,500 per year for half-time service.

2. Recruitment Assistance Program (RAP)

With South Dakota RAP, the program attracts healthcare providers to serve in rural communities with populations of 10,000 or fewer, or located more than 20 miles from a city with a population exceeding 10,000.​

Eligibility Criteria: Physicians, dentists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, and certified registered nurse anesthetists.​
Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. citizen.​

• Hold a valid South Dakota license.

• Commit to a three-year service obligation at an eligible site in a qualifying community.

Benefits:

• $255,568 for physicians and dentists.​

• $70,751.20 for other eligible professionals.

3. Rural Healthcare Facility Recruitment Assistance Program

South Dakota’s Rural Healthcare Facility Recruitment Assistance Program supports various healthcare professionals serving in rural communities with populations of 10,000 or fewer. Related: Student Loan Forgiveness for Rural Medical Practitioners

Eligibility Criteria:

• Professionals: Dietitians or nutritionists, nurses (LPN or RN), occupational therapists, respiratory therapists, laboratory technologists, pharmacists, physical therapists, paramedics, medical technologists, radiologic technologists, speech therapists, healthcare social workers, and dental hygienists.​

• Requirements: Work full-time for three years at a qualifying facility in an eligible community.​

Benefits: A $10,000 payment upon completion of the three-year service commitment.​

4. Delta Dental Dentist Loan Repayment for Service Program

The Delta Dental Dentist Loan Repayment for Service Program encourages dentists to serve in underserved communities and participate in the Medicaid program.​

Eligibility Criteria:

• Be a U.S. citizen and South Dakota resident with a valid state license.​

• Have outstanding student loans.​

• Commit to a five-year service obligation.​

• Work at least 32 hours per week.​

• Participate in the Medicaid program and be credentialed by Delta Dental.​

Benefits: Up to $125,000 in loan repayment assistance over five years.​

You don’t need to move out of South Dakota to benefit from federal forgiveness. These national programs are open to anyone who meets the criteria, no matter where you live. Related: How to Apply for Student Loan Forgiveness

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Work full-time for the government or a nonprofit, and you could qualify for full forgiveness after 120 qualifying payments—about 10 years.

PSLF covers a wide range of jobs: teachers, nurses, first responders, military, and more. You need to be on an income-driven plan and submit employment certifications to stay on track.

Teacher Loan Forgiveness

Teach full-time for five straight years in a low-income South Dakota school, and you could get up to $17,500 forgiven. The exact amount depends on your subject—math, science, and special education get the highest relief.

You can’t combine this with PSLF for the same service period, so it’s important to choose the right path early.

Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Forgiveness

Make payments based on your income for 20–25 years, and any remaining balance gets wiped out. It’s a long-term strategy, but for many, it’s the only affordable way to keep loans manageable.

Right now, South Dakota’s state-level forgiveness programs are almost entirely focused on healthcare—specifically doctors, nurses, dentists, and other licensed providers.

If you’re a teacher, public servant, nonprofit employee, or private sector worker, there are no South Dakota-specific forgiveness options just for you.

But that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.

You can still qualify for federal programs like:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) if you work for a government or nonprofit

• Teacher Loan Forgiveness if you’ve taught in a low-income school

• Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Forgiveness if your income is low compared to your debt

If you have private loans, federal forgiveness isn’t an option—but refinancing may lower your monthly payment. Just be careful not to refinance federal loans unless you’re sure you’ll never need forgiveness or federal protections. Related: Can Refinance Student Loans be Forgiven

Not everyone qualifies for loan forgiveness. You might not work in public service. You might not have the right loan type. Or maybe your career just doesn’t fall under any current program.

Here’s what you can do next:

• Lower your payments with an income-driven plan. Even if forgiveness is a long shot, IDR can cap your payments based on income—and lead to forgiveness down the road.

• Ask your loan servicer about deferment or forbearance if you’re in a short-term crisis. (Use this sparingly—it can cause interest to build fast.)

• Refinance private loans if you have strong credit and stable income. You won’t get forgiveness, but you might cut your interest rate or monthly cost.

• Start a forgiveness path now even if you won’t qualify yet. For example, switching to public or nonprofit work can put you on the PSLF track.

You’re not stuck. The key is knowing what kind of loans you have and what benefits you’re eligible for—then choosing the best strategy based on that.

Student loan forgiveness in South Dakota isn’t one-size-fits-all. If you’re in healthcare and willing to work in a rural area, the state offers solid repayment help.

If not, federal programs like PSLF and IDR may still give you a way out—but only if you know how to use them right.

The biggest mistake borrowers make? Waiting too long or assuming they don’t qualify.

Let’s fix that.

Book a call with our student loan expert.

We’ll look at your job, your loan type, and your long-term goals—and tell you exactly what steps to take next.

Related Readings:

• Is it Too Late to Apply for Student Loan Forgiveness?

• How Does Student Loan Forgiveness Work

• How Long for PSLF to Process