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Minnesota qualifies for seven veterinary positions in the program.

October 27, 2022

1 Min Read
female veterenarian, checking the abdomen of a cow
LOAN REPAYMENT AVAILABLE: USDA is again offering a veterinary student loan repayment program to qualifying applicants. Seven veterinary positions in Minnesota qualify for the program. Jan-Otto/Getty Images

Need a veterinarian in your area?

Reach out now to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, and there is a chance you may see one in the future.

In its October Animal Bytes newsletter, MBAH reported that the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is again offering veterinary student loan repayment incentives, and that Minnesota has up to seven spots eligible in the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP).

MBAH said that anyone — veterinarians, technicians and farmers — can suggest a geographic location in Minnesota in serious need of a veterinarian. Contact Dr. Courtney Wheeler at MBAH and let her know which area of the state you are nominating and why. Call or email Wheeler at 651-201-6800 or [email protected].

Nominations are due Nov. 14. NIFA will review nominations and announce the qualifying shortage areas in a few months. If a nomination is approved by NIFA, veterinarians can apply to work in the required area in exchange for partial student loan repayment.

The VMLRP incentivizes service in designated shortage areas and pays off a portion of qualified loans. Veterinarians selected for the program must commit to at least three years in rural practice to receive $25,000 annually in loan repayment, for a total of $75,000.

Veterinary candidates for the program must have graduated from an American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education-accredited veterinary school; have at least $15,000 in qualifying veterinary educational loan debt; must not currently be in a veterinary service obligation; and have no federal liens against property as a result of federal debt.

Visit the VMLRP website to learn more about the entire process.

Source: Minnesota Board of Animal Health

 

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