The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared 196 veterinary shortage areas in 41 states for 2021, although none in the Pacific Northwest have been declared. To address these shortages, the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) provides veterinarians up to $25,000 a year for student loan repayment in exchange for at least three years of service in one of the USDA-designated shortage areas. The program is overseen by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
Applications are now being accepted for the VMLRP through April 16, 2021, at 4 p.m. CT.
NIFA will be hosting a webinar for interested VMLRP applicants on Thursday, February 18 from 1 to 2:15 p.m. CT.
VMLRP combats two of the biggest challenges to the veterinary profession – rural veterinary shortages and student debt. Student debt has a significant impact on the career choices of young veterinarians and is a major contributor to veterinary shortages since veterinary salaries in rural areas are often lower than those in urban areas.
Find more information about the VMLRP application process on the USDA-NIFA website.
Posted February 26, 2021