Dental and medical professionals with advanced or mid-level degrees are eligible to apply.

Advanced Disciplines

• Allopathic Medicine (MD)
• Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
• General and Pediatric Dentistry (DDS/DMD)

Mid-Level Disciplines

• Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
• Health Services Psychologist (HSP)
• Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (LADC)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
• Nurse Practitioners (NP)
• Pharmacist (PharmD)
• Physician’s Assistant (PA)
• Psychiatric Nurse Specialist (PNS)
• Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
• Registered Nurse (RN)

Eligibility criteria for Delaware’s State Loan Repayment Program are in accordance with the federal HRSA State Loan Repayment Program regulations. State of Delaware approved Practitioners must:

Federal Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen (Born or Naturalized) or U.S. National
• Have completed training in an accredited graduate training program
• Have qualifying educational loans, which are not in default
• Possess an active and valid Delaware license
• Practice in a HRSA-eligible discipline
• Provide services in a HRSA-qualified public or non-profit facility located in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA)
• Practice full-time (40 hours per week) providing primary health services
• Provide services for a minimum of two (2) years
• Accept Medicare, Medicaid, and S-CHIP reimbursements, utilize a sliding fee scale, and see all patients regardless of ability to pay
• Not have any other health professional service obligation
• Not have breached a prior service obligation
• Not have a current default on any Federal payment obligation
• Not have a current default on court-ordered child support payments
• Not have any federal judgment liens
• Not had any debt written off as uncollectible
• Not have received a waiver of any Federal service or payment obligation
• Not have been convicted of any felony
• Not have been convicted or found guilty of, or disciplined by this or any other State licensing Board or Agency, for unprofessional conduct

State Requirements

All dentists must:

• Agree that a minimum of 20% of patients will be comprised of Medicaid, S-CHIP and/or low-income who will be provided care at reduced rates or free-of charge
• Agree to provide preventive dental services to eligible clients of the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS

All non-dental clinicians must:

• Participate in the Voluntary Initiative Program – Phase II (VIP II) and other affiliated programs.

Consistent with the Federal regulations governing this program, government and commercial loans incurred while obtaining an education in an eligible health profession/discipline is eligible for consideration. Commercial lending institutions that qualify are those that are subject to examination and supervision by an agency of the United States or of the State in which the lending institution is located.

The following loans do not qualify;

• Eligible education loans consolidated with loans owned by any other person;
• Education loans that are currently in default (verification forms must state the loan is in “Good Standing” with the lender)
• Loans for which the associated documentation does not identify the loan as applicable to undergraduate or graduate education (must be identified on the verification form)
• Loans not obtained from a Government entity or commercial lending institution (most loans made by private foundations to individuals are not eligible for repayment)
• Loans that have been repaid in full
• Personal lines of credit
• Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Loans (made to parents on behalf of the student)
• Residency relocation loan
• Credit Cards

There are no exceptions regarding loan eligibility and debt amount. Applicants must provide sufficient documentation/information proving loan eligibility for application consideration and to advance through the review process.

Loan balances must be verified by lending institutions as eligible debt in Part C – Loan Verification Form of the application, on or before the application deadline. Lenders must send all verified documents to the contact information provided.

Consolidated educational loans must be verified as educational debt on Application Part C – Loan Verification Form and submitted to Delaware Health Care Commission for review and/or consideration.

Program awards will not be issued based on financial need. Therefore, the amount of debt bears minimal consequences to the award amounts.

The Delaware Health Care Commission (DHCC) continuously accepts applications for this program. However, there are application deadlines in which contracts are subsequently issued every September and March. Additional contract start dates may be added based on funding and eligible participants.

Applications Accepted	Application Deadline	Anticipated Contract Start Date*
October-March	March 15	May 31
April-September	September 15	November 30

Submit one (1) complete application packet to Delaware Health Care Commission (DHCC) on or before the next upcoming application deadline. Each packet must consist of:

• Part A – Employer Application (submit by email)
• Part B – Healthcare Practitioner Application (submit by email)
• Part C – Loan Information and Verification (submit by mail/email/fax)

Submit applications and inquiries to:

Delaware Health Care Commission
ATTN: SLRP Program Director
1901 N. DuPont Highway
New Castle, Delaware 19720
DHCC@delaware.gov

Ensure all sections are completed in their entirety (including signature) before submitting for final review.

• Tip: Interested applicants are encouraged to submit applications at least three (3) weeks before the application deadline to ensure completed packets are received by DHCC for review. Pay special attention to the requirements of Part C – Loan Information and Verification Form, Sections I-III. Ensure relevant signatures are obtained and the original notarized form is submitted directly to DHCC.

^*Contract start dates subject to change

Weighted categories for awards and funding

Delaware State Loan Repayment Program awards qualified mid-level and advanced-level applicants across three (3) weighted evaluative categories;

• Meets Qualifications – awards in the mid-level category are funded up to $30,000 and up to $70,000 in the advanced-level category.
• Exceeds Qualifications – awards in the mid-level category are funded up to $45,000 and up to $85,000 in the advanced-level category.
• Distinguished Qualifications – awards in the mid-level category are funded up to $60,000 and up to $100,000 in the advanced-level category.

Program funds are sourced from the U.S. Department of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and require a 1:1 match for every dollar awarded. The award amounts published include the matched amounts. For example, an award for $100,000 receives 50% funding from HRSA and the remaining 50% from the State or non-governmental entities.

Based on the availability of funds, the State may provide matching funds through the Delaware Institute for Dental Education and Research (DIDER), Delaware Institute for Medical Education and Research (DIMER), or affiliated State agencies. Refer to the Program Guidelines for additional funding information or contact the Program Director.

Award amounts are subject to change at any time due to increases or decreases in program funding. Award amounts listed in the above chart are not guaranteed

The 2018-2022 Program Guidelines State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) Guidelines specifies how the program operates; eligibility guidelines for practitioners, educational loans, and practice sites; application procedures; program award levels; payment distribution formulae; breach of contract, suspensions, and terminations; and frequently asked questions.

Applications will be prioritized based on Health Professional Shortage Area scores and identified provider needs. A qualitative evaluation will be conducted on each application to determine award categories; Meets Qualifications, Exceeds Qualifications and Distinguished Qualifications. Perspective applicants are encouraged to complete all sections of the application to receive full credit and maximize the amount awarded.

Proof of a website’s Non-Profit and Public status is verified by the Delaware Division of Corporations. If the information provided by the Division of Corporations does not corroborate with the application submitted, an email will be generated to the Practice Site’s authorizing administrator identified in the application.

Awarded applicants and practice sites are monitored yearly through surveys and in-person site visits.

Payments will be issued directly to qualify Lending Institutions after twelve (12) months of service. Fifty percent (50%) of the total awarded amount will distributed in the first year and the remaining 50% is distributed in the second year. Awardees must coordinate with DHCC to ensure Lending Institutions W-9 Forms are registered in the State’s financial system. Failure to do so at the beginning of the contracting period may result in delayed payment disbursements.

Continuing Contracts are awarded for Years Three (3) and Four (4) of the program. SLRP awardees who’ve completed the initial award commitment period, are encouraged to pursue continuing contracts for one (1) additional year of commitment in a designated HPSA, for up to two (2) years. New applications must be completed and submitted to DHCC for consideration in each award cycle following the end of an existing contract.

All contracts are dependent on the availability of Federal and/or matching funds.