Can You Get Student Loan Forgiveness in Oregon? Here's How
Updated on April 4, 2025
Quick Facts
Most Oregon forgiveness programs only apply if you work in healthcare, education, law, or public service.
Federal programs like PSLF and IDR still offer real relief—even if you don’t qualify for anything state-based.
If nothing fits, you still have options to lower payments, stop collections, or get one-on-one help.
Looking for Student Loan Forgiveness in Oregon? Start Here.
Oregon has student loan relief—but it’s targeted, limited, and full of fine print. Most programs help healthcare workers, teachers, or public service employees working in rural or high-need areas.
Not in one of those fields? Don’t walk away yet. Federal forgiveness programs still offer real relief, and many Oregon borrowers qualify without realizing it.
This guide covers:
What Oregon actually offers
Who qualifies (and who doesn’t)
Federal programs worth using
What to do when nothing seems to fit
Quick, clear answers—no fluff.
Oregon Student Loan Forgiveness and Repayment Programs
If you live in Oregon and work in healthcare, education, or public service, you might qualify for real, state-backed loan relief.
Some programs pay off your debt. Others cover tuition up front. Most require you to work in rural or high-need communities.
Here’s a full breakdown of what Oregon offers:
Oregon Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program
The Oregon Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program offers loan repayment for mental health and substance use treatment professionals in underserved areas. Related: Student Loan Forgiveness for Mental Health Professionals
Award Details: Up to $50,000 in loan repayment over a 2-year service contract.
Eligibility:
Licensed behavioral health providers (e.g., counselors, therapists, social workers).
Must work in a high-need or rural area in Oregon.
Commitment: 2 years of full-time service.
Oregon Health Care Provider Incentive Program
The Oregon Health Care Provider Incentive Program offers loan repayment to a broad range of healthcare workers in rural or underserved areas.
Award Details: Up to $50,000 per year (amount depends on your profession and location).
Eligibility:
Physicians, nurses, PAs, dentists, clinical psychologists, and more.
Must work at a qualifying practice site in Oregon.
Commitment: Minimum 3 years of service.
Oregon Partnership State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
A state-federal partnership offering student loan repayment to medical and mental health providers in shortage areas. Related: Student Loan Forgiveness for Healthcare Workers
Award Details:
Full-time: Up to $25,000 per year.
Part-time: Up to $12,500 per year.
Eligibility: Licensed providers working in a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) in Oregon.
Commitment:
Full-time: 2 years.
Part-time: 4 years.
Scholars for a Healthy Oregon Initiative (SHOI)
SHOI covers full tuition and fees for students in certain healthcare programs in exchange for future service.
Award Details: Full tuition and fees for the length of your academic program.
Eligibility:
Students accepted into eligible programs at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).
Must commit to work in a rural or underserved Oregon community.
Commitment: 1 year of service per year of funding.
Primary Care Loan Forgiveness Program (PCLF)
The PCLF is designed for medical students committing to practice primary care in rural Oregon.
Award Details: Full tuition and fees (up to the highest in-state tuition rate at public schools in Oregon).
Eligibility:
Medical students in primary care fields like family medicine or pediatrics.
Must practice in a rural Oregon area after graduation.
Commitment: Typically 1 year of service for each year of funding.
Rural Practitioner Tax Credit
A tax credit that can help offset student loan costs for rural healthcare providers.
Award Details: Up to $5,000 per year in Oregon state tax credits.
Eligibility: Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and others practicing in rural Oregon.
Commitment: Must work in a qualifying rural area.
Oregon State Bar Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)
The Oregon State Bar LRAP helps public service attorneys stay in the field by offering loan repayment help. Related: Student Loan Forgiveness for Lawyers
Award Details: Up to $7,500 per year, for up to 3 years.
Eligibility:
Licensed attorneys working in qualifying public service jobs in Oregon.
Must earn less than $70,000 and have at least $35,000 in student loan debt.
Commitment: Continued employment in public service.
Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Programs Oregon Borrowers Shouldn’t Ignore
Even if Oregon’s state programs don’t apply to you, federal forgiveness is still on the table—and it’s where most borrowers will find real relief.
Here’s what to know:
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
If you work full-time for the government or a nonprofit, PSLF can wipe out your remaining federal loan balance after 10 years of payments.
Must be on an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan.
Oregon public school teachers, state employees, university staff, and nonprofit workers may qualify. Related: What Jobs Qualify for PSLF
It’s not automatic—you have to certify your employment and apply.
Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Forgiveness
If your income is low, IDR plans can reduce your monthly payment to as little as $0/month, and cancel your remaining balance after 20–25 years.
Works well if you’re underemployed or have a high debt-to-income ratio.
You don’t have to be in public service to qualify.
Oregon borrowers with big grad school debt or inconsistent income often benefit here.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness
The Teacher Loan Forgiveness offers up to $17,500 in forgiveness for teachers who work 5 years in low-income schools.
Can be used before PSLF—but you can’t double-dip on the same years.
Works well for Oregon teachers in Title I schools or shortage subject areas.
What If I Don’t Qualify for Any Forgiveness Programs?
You read through all the options—and nothing fits. Maybe you have private loans. Maybe you don’t work in public service. Or maybe you’re just stuck in a job that doesn’t meet the fine print.
That doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
Here’s what you can still do:
1. Get on an income-driven repayment plan (IDR)
Even if forgiveness isn’t on the table yet, IDR can cut your monthly payment way down—sometimes to $0/month—based on your income and family size.
You stay current and avoid default.
After 20–25 years, the rest of your balance can be wiped out.
It’s the best long-term protection if your income is low or unpredictable.
2. Don’t refinance federal loans unless you’re 100% sure
Refinancing sounds good—lower interest, one payment, slick marketing. But if you refinance a federal loan, you give up all forgiveness options forever.
Only refinance if:
Your loans are private, not federal.
You have a stable income and strong credit.
You’ve already ruled out PSLF, IDR, or other federal relief.
3. If you’re in deep trouble, other options exist
If you’re in default, facing garnishment, or dealing with a disability or serious hardship, you may qualify for more aggressive relief, like:
Borrower defense to repayment (for misleading schools)
Settlement or compromise if you’re in collections
It’s not automatic—but with the right help, these can wipe out your balance entirely.
Bottom Line
Oregon has legit student loan relief—but it’s limited to specific jobs in healthcare, education, law, or public service. You’ll usually need to work in a rural or high-need area, and you have to meet strict eligibility rules.
If those programs don’t fit, you still have options. Federal forgiveness—especially through PSLF or IDR—can lower your payments or wipe out your balance completely. And if you’re dealing with private loans or in default, there are still ways to get help.
The hard part? Knowing which path is right for you—and avoiding mistakes that could cost you thousands.
That’s where we come in.
Book a call with our student loan expert.
We’ll look at your loans, your job, and your goals—and tell you exactly what to do next.
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