USDA Offers Aid for Veterinarians to Repay School Loans

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded more than $4.3 million to 48 American veterinarians to help repay a portion of their veterinary school loans in return for serving in areas lacking sufficient veterinary resources critical to America’s food safety, food security, and to the health and well-being of animals and humans. The awards, made through NIFA’s Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP), will fill shortage needs in 27 states.

“Veterinarians play a critical role in keeping our nation’s food supply safe and animals healthy,” said NIFA director Sonny Ramaswamy. “The need for veterinarians in designated shortage areas is urgent. This loan repayment assistance program provides incentives for students to take up rural veterinary practices and help take care of American livestock.”

New award recipients commit to practice at least three years in a designated veterinary shortage area. Previous awardees that still owe at least $15,000 in educational loans are eligible to apply again, though renewal is not automatic and applications are subject to the same competitive review process as new applications. For more information visit nifa.usda.gov/press-release/usda-awards-43-million-ensure-access-needed-veterinary-services-rural-communities.