By Chris Isaac

Getting a good education is essential to many career paths, so graduation should be a happy time that marks new opportunities. Unfortunately, the reality is that it can also mark the beginning of being in debt thanks to student loans.

In a recent Forbes article, Kat Tretina and Rachel Witkowski share grants worth looking into so you have more options than being stuck in debt for years.

Department of Justice Attorney Student Loan Repayment Program

If you got a law degree and are starting out as an attorney, this grant could help by giving you up to $6,000 if you serve out a three-year service obligation.

National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program

For those starting in the medical field, this grant offers up to $50,000 for clinicians who serve two years at an NHSC location.

NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program

Similarly, this grant benefits those who are willing to work at a rural NHSC location focusing on opioid abuse. The grant could be up to $100,000.

Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program

This is another option for healthcare professionals outside of NHSC. Here you can receive up to $40,000 in exchange for working two years at an IHS location.

NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program

This additional option from NHSC tries to bring in talented young healthcare workers to help those struggling with substance disorders, offering $75,000 for three years.

NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program

For those still in school, this option offers students in their final year up to $120,000 if they agree to devote three years to an NHSC location.

TEACH Grant

For current students pursuing a career in teaching, this grant will give you $4,000 per year in exchange for four years at a high-need elementary or secondary school.

Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program

Due to nurse shortages, this grant offers to pay off up to 60% of your student loan debt if you work in one of the specified facilities for two years.

National Institute of Mental Health Loan Repayment Program

Medical professionals interested in the psychiatric aspect of care can receive up to $100,000 if they will devote two years to service research.

Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program

Lastly, to incentivize those interested in caring for animals, this grant offers up to $75,000 if you agree to work for three years as a veterinarian in an area dealing with shortages.

There are lots of options for financial help out there for in-demand careers. You may have more options to help with your student loans than you realize.

To learn more about these grants, be sure to read Kat Tretina and Rachel Witkowski’s article in Forbes.

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