California is using financial support to encourage newly licensed physicians to work in communities with limited access to medical care. The programme targets doctors willing to spend several years working in designated underserved areas.
Doctors Could Receive Up To $105,000
The Steven M. Thompson Physician Corps Loan Repayment Program provides educational loan repayment support of up to $105,000. To qualify, physicians must agree to work in a designated underserved area for at least three years.
The programme is administered by the Health Professions Education Foundation (HPEF) and is financed through grants, donations and licensing fees.
Applications For 2026 Have Closed
Applications for the latest intake opened on May 1, 2026, and closed on June 5. Doctors who missed this year’s application window will need to wait for the next intake.
The programme’s website advises prospective applicants to check back in May for information about the next application period.
The Programme Targets Underserved Communities
The loan repayment scheme is aimed at physicians prepared to work in areas where access to healthcare professionals is limited. Doctors must meet the programme’s eligibility requirements and commit to the required period of service in a designated area.
The support is tied to the physician’s commitment to serve those communities rather than being a general student loan benefit available to all doctors.
Previous Intakes Accepted Around 40 Applicants
Available reports from earlier years show that the programme has operated on a relatively small scale. Around 40 applicants were accepted during both the 2017-18 and 2018-19 fiscal years, according to previously published figures.
The number of places available can therefore be much smaller than the wider number of physicians who may be interested in loan repayment assistance.
Eligible Applicants Had To Complete A Quiz
Physicians who were selected for support also had to complete a quiz as part of the programme requirements.
Applicants should review the latest information from HPEF before applying, as eligibility conditions and application requirements can vary between intakes.
How To Find Out About The Next Intake
Physicians interested in the programme can monitor the HPEF website for the next application announcement. The organisation has advised prospective applicants to check back in May for the next intake.
Questions about the programme can also be directed to (916) 326-3700 or [email protected].
For doctors carrying significant educational debt, the programme provides a potential route to loan repayment while they work in communities with fewer healthcare resources. The next application period will determine who can seek the available support.
