Minnesota Rural Mental Health Professional Loan Forgiveness Program

About this program

The Minnesota Department of Health’s Office of Rural Health and Primary Care offers loan forgiveness to recruit and retain licensed mental health professionals in designated rural Minnesota communities. Awards provide up to $29,000 annually for psychologists and $11,000 annually for LICSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, and LADCs, for three to four years and up to the qualifying loan balance. Eligible applicants must hold or complete the required Minnesota licensure, work and live in Minnesota, and provide at least 30 hours per week of direct client-centered services for 45 weeks annually in a rural area. Applications must be submitted through the Online Grants Portal during the November 1, 2026–January 6, 2027 application cycle; selection is competitive and subject to available funds.