By California State Assemblyman Steve Knight, R-Palmdale, recently introduced a bill that allows nurses to eliminate up to $40,000 of student debt — double the previous $20,000 limit. The Assembly Higher Education Committee unanimously approved the bill.
The Knight bill expands a previous loan forgiveness program that repaid up to $20,000 of a nurse’s student loans in exchange for four years of nursing service at a state prison or nursing home with a Registered Nurse vacancy rate greater than 10%.Â
Other states offer similar programs. Florida offers a Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness Program that will repay up to $4000 of nursing debt a year in exchange for nursing service. Minnesota pays up to $3750 per year, up to a maximum of $15,000 over four years. The Federal government has a Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program that wipes out 60% of qualifying student loans in exchange for two years’ service.
Have you participated in a loan forgiveness program? How would you describe your experience?
