Student Loan Forgiveness for Physician Associates

A career as a physician associate (also known as a physician assistant or PA) can be a fulfilling one, but many start their professional paths with substantial student loan debt. According to the Physician Assistant Education Association, the average student loan debt among graduating physician associates in 2019 was between $100,000 and $124,999.

Fortunately, PAs have several options available to pay for school and manage their student loan debt – and potentially receive student loan forgiveness. These options can provide significant relief, allowing borrowers to focus on their careers without the burden of constant financial stress due to student loans.

Physician associate education requirements

The majority of physician associates complete their education in seven to nine years (including undergraduate studies), though it can take longer due to rigorous classroom and work-related experience requirements. While the timelines vary, there are specific requirements they must meet:

Completion of a four-year bachelor's degree in a related science field.

Time spent in direct patient care work (or 500 to 2000 hours of relevant experience) before applying for a master's degree. This work can include being an EMT, medical assistant, nurse's aide, or patient care attendant, among other similar jobs.

A degree from a physician associate master's program – this is often a three-year program, though some schools offer accelerated two-year programs. Students must also complete over 2000 hours of clinical rotations.

Passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam.

State licensure in the state of employment.

Certification maintenance via 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and recertification exams every ten years.

While tuition costs vary widely across universities, the substantial educational requirements for PAs add up. In 2024, physician associate school expenses range from $20,000 to $100,000 annually.

Forgiveness for physician associate student loans

Physician associates have options to help potentially reduce student loan debt or have it forgiven. Each has requirements and considerations, including work history, time commitments, and whether you can qualify for total vs. partial loan forgiveness.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program may forgive student loan debt for anyone who has worked in the public sector, including eligible government agencies or nonprofit organizations, for at least ten years and made 120 qualifying payments toward their student loan debt. Qualifying employment for the PSLF Program isn't necessarily about your specific job, it depends more on your employer. For example, a full-time government employee (federal, state, local, or tribal) is eligible for PSLF.

Health Professions Loan Repayment Program

Medical professionals, including PAs in the US Air Force, Army, Navy, or National Guard on active duty or in the reserves may qualify for student loan forgiveness through the Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP). Participation is also an incentive to extend their commitment in return for the payment of professional educational loans. Some eligibility requirements include holding an appointment as a commissioned officer in one of the health professions and may include a commitment to serve on active duty for a prescribed time period. The maximum yearly loan repayment through HPLRP is $40,000, minus approximately 25% federal income taxes, which are taken out prior to lender repayment.

Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Program

The federal Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) program can be a financial lifeline for a PA, especially early in their career. An IDR plan can help lower – and stabilize your monthly payments based on factors like your adjusted gross income (AGI) and family size. Learn more about IDR by visiting these resources:

National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program

Licensed primary care providers in eligible disciplines can receive loan repayment assistance for their qualifying educational debt through the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. PAs who commit to at least two years of service at a facility that the NHSC has designated a Health Service-approved site may qualify for up to $75,000 in student loan assistance through this program.

AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps is a federal program that places volunteers into service roles at organizations nationwide. It offers the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, the full-time value of which is equivalent to the maximum annual value of a Pell Grant in the same fiscal year. The amount of the awards depends on the time committed to the program, including full-time, three-quarters time, half-time, and less. Like a Pell Grant, the award amount can change annually. The amount for less than half-time service programs varies based on the required terms of service.

Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program

Physician associates could earn up to $50,000 in loan forgiveness for a two-year service commitment at a medical facility in an Indigenous community. The staffing needs of Indian health program facilities in specific health profession disciplines determine openings. Loan Repayment Program participants can extend their contract annually until their qualified student debt is paid.

Other ways to address PA school debt

In addition to federal loan repayment programs, other tools are available to physician associates to manage their student debt.

Student loan repayment employee benefits

As student debt reduction becomes a high priority for many PAs, healthcare providers increasingly are offering employee loan repayment benefits. Many job seekers who struggle with student debt consider student loan repayment assistance the most important employee benefit, even more than additional retirement packages and health care coverage. Not only is this a great incentive, but it also fosters a sense of commitment and can improvethe chances that employees will stay with a provider longer if they help pay down their student loan debt.

Get expert help with student loan forgiveness

A rewarding career as a physician associate shouldn’t be weighed down by the stress of student loan debt. Fortunately, many options are available to new PAs to help achieve student loan forgiveness. To better understand your options, consider contacting a student loan expert who can provide valuable insights and set you on a well-deserved path to financial freedom.