Primary Care Loans

• Apply for this loan at the student financial aid office of the school where you are or intend to be enrolled

The Primary Care Loan program provides long-term, low interest rate loans to full-time, financially needy students to pursue a degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine. Loans to third and fourth year students may be increased to repay outstanding balances on other loans taken out while in attendance at that school.

Medical students receiving a Primary Care Loan must agree to

• enter and complete residency training in primary care within four years after graduation and
• practice in primary care for the life of the loan

Eligible Disciplines

Under this program, funds are awarded to accredited schools of

• allopathic medicine
• osteopathic medicine

Eligible Applicants

You are eligible to apply for this loan at a school that participates in the Primary Care Loan program if you are

• A citizen, national, or a lawful permanent resident of the United States or the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico or the Marianas Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the American Samoa, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated State of Micronesia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Primary Care Loan Program?
The Primary Care Loan (PCL) program is a low cost federal loan program for medical students committed to primary health care practice. The interest rate is 5 percent and begins to accrue following a one year grace period after you cease to be a full-time student. When compared to other federal student loans and private loans, the PCL provides significant savings. The loan also offers deferment of principal and interest not found in other loan programs.

How much can I borrow?
Your financial aid office will determine how much you can borrow based on your eligibility, the amount of PCL funds available at your institution and other criteria. The maximum award for first- and second- year students is cost of attendance (including tuition, educational expenses, and reasonable living expenses). Amounts beyond this may be awarded to third- and fourth-year students.

How Do I Qualify for a PCL?

• Be enrolled as a full-time student in a degree program leading to a doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy
• Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Provide financial information about your parents
• Demonstrate financial need
• Owe no federal grant refund and be in default on no federal loan
• Maintain good academic standing
• Register with Selective Service if required by law

Why must I provide financial information about my parents to obtain a PCL?
To assist schools in allocating limited PCL funds, Health and Human Services requires parental financial information from all students to determine financial need without regard to age, tax, marital or independent status.

Is there a service requirement for PCL?
YES. You must enter a residency training program in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, combined medicine/pediatrics, preventive medicine, or osteopathic general practice.
You must complete your residency program within four years of graduation.
You must practice in primary health care until the loan is paid in full.

What are some examples of primary health care and non-primary care residency and practice activities for the PCL Program?
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
ACCEPTABLE
Clinical Preventive Medicine
Occupational Medicine
Public Health
Public Policy Fellowship
Senior Residencies in one of the above
Faculty administrators / policy makers certified
in one of the primary health care disciplines
Geriatrics
Adolescent Medicine
Adolescent Pediatrics
Sports Medicine

NON-PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
NON-ACCEPTABLE
Cardiology
Gastroenterology
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Surgery
Dermatology
Radiology
Rehabilitation Medicine
Psychiatry
Emergency Medicine

Are there exceptions to the primary health care service obligation?
YES, however, your loan repayment obligation remains.
Your primary health care service obligation may be waived if you terminate studies before graduating and do not later resume studies.
Your primary health care service obligation may be suspended for the period you are not enrolled because you have terminated studies before graduating; your obligation is resumed when you return to medical school to complete your studies.

What if I do not fulfill the primary care service obligation?
At the point you fail to fulfill your service obligation, the outstanding loan balance will be computed annually at an interest rate of 18 percent from the date of noncompliance.

What if I accept PCL and change my mind about primary health care?
If you are not firmly committed to the practice of primary health care, you should not accept a PCL.

What if I want additional certification?
You may obtain additional certification in primary health care while fulfilling your service obligation, as long as you complete your primary health care residency program within four years after graduation. For example, if your primary care residency is completed in three years after graduation, you may obtain certification in an area of training to enhance your primary health care practice (i.e., geriatrics) at anytime, and it will be considered an acceptable activity for fulfillment of your service obligation.

When does repayment begin and end?
Repayment begins following a twelve-month grace period after you cease to be a full-time student.
Interest at 5 percent is computed on the unpaid principal balance and begins to accrue upon expiration of your grace period unless you are eligible to defer payment.
Loans are repayable over a period of not less than ten years nor more than twenty five years, at the discretion of the institution.

May payment of my PCL be deferred?
YES. Up to four years in an eligible primary health care residency program.
Up to three years as a volunteer under the Peace Corps Act practicing in an eligible primary health care activity.
Up to three years as a member of a uniformed service. To be eligible for deferment, you must be on sustained full-time active duty practicing in an eligible primary health care activity in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps or the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

For periods of advanced professional training in primary health care.
Is a PCL eligible for consolidation?
PCL is not eligible for consolidation because of the service obligation.

What happens to my PCL in the event of death or disability?
Your obligation to repay the loan will be canceled upon receipt of the required documentation in the event of your death or permanent and total disability.

How should I explore whether PCL is right for me?
Talk to primary health care faculty.
Talk to your financial aid office about eligibility and terms and conditions.
Attend primary health care society meetings.