The Office of Rural Health, Department of Health has more detailed information on each of the following programs. They can be reached at (605) 773-2679 for more information.
Physician Tuition Reimbursement ProgramThis program provides qualifying family physicians a payment in return for three continuous years of practice in an eligible rural community. Practitioners must enter into a contract with the Office in order to qualify. The exact amount is equal to double the tuition the physician would have paid at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine for the four most recently completed academic years. The current amount is approximately $85,500.
Midlevel Tuition Reimbursement ProgramThe statute provides a payment to physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse midwives who complete three continuous years of practice in an eligible community as per a Midlevel Tuition Reimbursement Contract.
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) seeks primary care providers dedicated to working with our nation’s medically underserved populations. The NHSC created these two programs to aid transition of health professionals into practicing in medically underserved communities.
State Loan Repayment ProgramThis program provides for the repayment of qualifying educational loans for health professionals. In return, the health professional commits to fulfill a service obligation in an eligible practice site within a federally designated health professional shortage area (HPSA) for a minimum of two years. For the four-year period, maximum loan repayment amounts are $80,000 for physicians and $40,000 for non-physicians; for a two-year period, the amounts are $28,000 and $14,000 respectively.
Health Professional Recruitment Incentive ProgramThe Health Professional Recruitment Incentive Program is intended to assist in the recruitment of health professionals to South Dakota communities. The program provides $5,000 directly to each health professional who has entered into a contract and completed a two-year service obligation. The individual must provide full-time services at an eligible employing facility in South Dakota.