North Dakota Student Loan Forgiveness: What You Need to Know

North Dakota student loan forgiveness is real—but limited. See if you qualify for state or federal relief and get help managing your student debt.

By Stanley Tate · Reviewed by Stanley Tate

Updated May 6, 2026 · 4 min read

Quick Facts

North Dakota offers student loan forgiveness for healthcare workers, veterinarians, and STEM professionals in high-need areas.
Federal programs like PSLF, Teacher Loan Forgiveness, and IDR forgiveness provide additional relief.
If you don’t qualify, loan repayment assistance programs, legal aid services, and state grants can help manage your debt.

Overview

Student loan forgiveness in North Dakota exists, but it’s limited to certain professions.

The state offers repayment programs for healthcare workers, veterinarians, and STEM professionals in high-need areas.

For those who don’t qualify for state forgiveness programs, federal student loan forgiveness options like PSLF, Teacher Loan Forgiveness, and income-driven repayment forgiveness are still available.

Here’s how North Dakota borrowers can get relief.

North Dakota Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

North Dakota offers several state-specific student loan forgiveness programs designed to attract and retain professionals in high-need fields. Whether you work in healthcare, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or STEM, you may qualify for significant loan relief.

North Dakota Federal Loan Repayment Program

North Dakota provides loan forgiveness to healthcare professionals willing to serve in underserved areas. The North Dakota Federal Loan Repayment Program offers substantial financial assistance for those in critical medical fields.

Who It’s For: Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists, dental hygienists, pharmacists, registered nurses, behavioral health professionals, and addiction counselors.
Forgiveness Amount: Up to $50,000 for a two-year commitment, with renewal options for up to five years.
Eligibility: Must work full-time in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) in North Dakota and commit to at least two years of service.
How to Apply: Visit North Dakota Department of Health for details.

North Dakota Healthcare Professional Loan Repayment Program

The North Dakota Healthcare Professional Loan Repayment Program helps retain healthcare workers by offering loan repayment assistance for those serving in high-need areas. Related: Student Loan Forgiveness for Healthcare Workers

Who It’s For: Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified nurse midwives, clinical psychologists, registered nurses, and behavioral health professionals.
Forgiveness Amount: Up to $150,000 over five years, depending on discipline and community match.
Eligibility: Must commit to a five-year service agreement in an underserved North Dakota community.
How to Apply: Visit North Dakota Health & Human Services for application details.

North Dakota Dental Loan Repayment Program

Who It’s For: Licensed dentists working in a Dental Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), with priority given to pediatric dentists and specialists.
Forgiveness Amount: Up to $100,000 over five years.
Eligibility: Must commit to providing dental care in an underserved area for up to five years.
How to Apply: Learn more at North Dakota Department of Health.

North Dakota Veterinarian Loan Repayment Program

To support rural communities, North Dakota offers loan repayment assistance to veterinarians who serve in small towns. Related: Student Loan Forgiveness for Veterinarians

Who It’s For: Licensed veterinarians working in communities with fewer than 5,000 residents.
Forgiveness Amount: Up to $80,000, with payments increasing over four years.
Eligibility: Must work full-time in a rural North Dakota community and commit to at least two years of service.
How to Apply: Visit North Dakota Board of Animal Health for application details.

STEM Occupations Student Loan Program

Who It’s For: North Dakota college graduates employed full-time in a STEM occupation.
Forgiveness Amount: Up to $6,000 over four years ($1,500 per year).
Eligibility: Must have earned a STEM degree, maintained a 2.5+ GPA, and work in North Dakota for at least 12 months post-graduation.
How to Apply: Visit Williston State College for application details.

Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Programs for North Dakota Residents

In addition to North Dakota’s state-specific loan forgiveness programs, residents may also benefit from several federal student loan forgiveness options:

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments under an income-driven repayment plan while working full-time for a PSLF-qualifying employer, such as government organizations or nonprofit entities.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness provides up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness for highly qualified teachers who work full-time for five consecutive years in low-income schools or educational service agencies.
Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Forgiveness forgives the remaining loan balance after 20 or 25 years of payments under an income-driven repayment plan, such as the SAVE Plan, based on income and family size.
Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Discharge discharges federal student loans for borrowers who are totally and permanently disabled and can provide documentation from a physician, the Social Security Administration, or the VA.
Borrower Defense to Repayment provides loan discharge if a borrower can prove their school misled them, engaged in fraudulent practices, or violated certain laws.
Closed School Discharge offers loan cancellation for borrowers whose schools closed while they were enrolled or within 180 days after they withdrew, preventing them from completing their program.

Additional Resources for North Dakota Borrowers

If you’re struggling with student loans, these additional resources can provide guidance, support, and potential financial relief.

North Dakota Student Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAPs)

Beyond forgiveness, some state-based loan repayment assistance programs (LRAPs) help specific professionals manage student debt. These programs often require a service commitment but provide financial relief for qualifying borrowers.

North Dakota Rural Healthcare Loan Repayment Assistance – Provides financial aid to medical professionals working in rural or underserved areas.
ND Veterinary Loan Assistance Program – Additional support for veterinarians working in high-need rural areas.

State Grants and Scholarships

If you’re a current or prospective student looking to reduce future student debt, North Dakota offers state-funded grants and scholarships. Some options include:

North Dakota State Grant – Financial aid for eligible in-state college students.
ND Career and Technical Education Scholarship – Supports students pursuing high-demand fields.

Bottom Line

North Dakota student loan forgiveness exists, but it’s limited to certain professions.

If you’re in healthcare, veterinary medicine, or STEM, state programs can help pay off your debt. If you don’t qualify, federal options like PSLF and income-driven repayment forgiveness may still offer relief.

The biggest challenge? Knowing which program fits your situation and making sure you don’t miss key requirements. A small mistake could delay or even cost you forgiveness.

If you’re unsure about your next steps, let’s talk.

Book a call, and we’ll go over your options so you can make the right move without second-guessing.

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