Maryland Loan Repayment Programs - Physicians and Physician Assistants​​

Eligibility

There are three vital areas of eligibility described below: Discipline, Participant, and Practice Site eligibility.  Successful MLRP applicants must ensure verification of these critical elements during the application process and demonstrate compliance with these critical elements and meet all monitoring requirements throughout any awarded service obligation.  Eligibility criteria can change from year-to-year based on authorizing legislation and funding availability.​

Discipline Eligibility

MLRP​​ participants must have: 

1. Completed training in an accredited training program; 

2. Possess an active and valid license (without restrictions or encumbrances) to practice in Maryland; and

3. In one of the following eligible disciplines:

i. MD: Allopathic Medicine

ii. DO: Osteopathic Medicine

iii. PA: Physician Assistant

iv. ​​Final Year Medical Residents (MD or DO)

A) Individuals enrolled to enter their final year of medical residency, specializing in primary care, as of July 1 following application to the Program are eligible to apply for a three (3) year service obligation (final year of medical residency + two (2) years in an eligible practice site).  

B) See more information about the process for final year medical residents in Section IV.A.5.​

Participant Eligibility

a. Be a United States citizen or national.

b. Personally owe education loan debt obtained for the pursuit of undergraduate or graduate study leading to practice as a physician or physician assistant.  

i. Eligible “Education l​oan” means any loan that is obtained for tuition, educational expenses, or living expenses for undergraduate or graduate study leading to practice as a physician or physician assistant.  

ii. Any other educational loans obtained beyond licensure of a physician or physician assistant are not eligible for loan repayment assistance. 

c. Have a valid employment contract to work at a practice site location in Maryland that will be in effect by the start of any service obligation resulting from the application (July 1 following the application cycle) to:

i. Practice part time (20-39 hours per week) or full time (40+ hours per week) at an eligible practice site.

1. Provide a minimum of 80 percent (80%) of work hours dedicated to direct patient care.

A) EXCEPTION: Obstetricians/gynecologist (OB/GYN) physicians must provide at least 50% of work hours per in normally scheduled clinical hours in the ambulatory care setting at an eligible practice site.

2. Time spent on-call shall not be counted toward practice hours.

3. MLRP participants who work part-time (20-39 hours per week), are automatically part-time program participants.  

4. MLRP participants who work full-time (40 or more hours per week) can be part-time or full-time program participants.

d. Fulfill any service obligation resulting from application to the program at an approved eligible practice site that meets stated criteria.

e. Agree that any MLRP funds awarded as a result of an MLRP service obligation are paid to a verified education loan holder by the Maryland Department of Health to repay qualifying education loans. 

f. Federal or state judgment liens;

g. Defaulted on any payment obligations (e.g., education, housing, private loans, Federal or State taxes, etc.) even if the creditor now considers them to be in good standing;

h. Breached a prior service obligation to the federal/state/local government or other entity, even if they subsequently satisfied the obligation; and

i. Had any debt written off as uncollectible or received a waiver of any service or payment obligation.

j. Outstanding contractual obligations for health care professional service to the federal government, another state loan repayment program, or other entity (including employer sign on bonuses) unless that service obligation will be completely satisfied before the Program service obligation commencement.

i. Note: Certain​​ provisions in employment contracts can create a service obligation (e.g., an employer offers a recruitment bonus in return for the agreement to work at that facility for a certain period of time or pay back the bonus).

ii. E​​xception: Individuals in the Reserve Component of the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard are eligible to participate in MLRP. 

Practice Site Eligibility

1. Be physically located in Maryland.

2. Provide services to all patients regardless of their ability to pay.

i. For those with annual incomes at or below 100 percent of the U.S. Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines, provide services at no charge or at a nominal charge.

ii. For individuals between 100 and 200 percent of the U.S. Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines, provide a schedule of discounts, which must reflect a nominal charge covered by a third party (either public or private).

3. If they charge for health care professional services:

i. Charge at the usual and customary prevailing rates;

ii. Utilize a financial aid policy of discounts or sliding fee scale for individuals with limited incomes; and

iii. Accept reimbursement from Medicare, Maryland Medical Assistance Program, and the Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program, if applicable to the patient type.

4. Agree to and participate in reporting on behalf of any awarded MLRP participant, including:

i. Verification of on-going employment; 

ii. Aggregate de-identified data regarding patient population served by the practice site and participant; and

iii. Health care quality outcomes priorities and progress.   

iv. Submission of an organizational assessment tool to evaluate organization’s current integration of National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care (CLAS), issued by HHS.

Note: Potential practice sites could include, but are not limited to primary care, specialty care, community clinics, governmental facilities, hospitals, private or group practices, long-term care, hospice, academic centers (schools), school based health centers, or correctional facilities.

Last Updated:
02-26-26