October 11, 2022
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Check out these student loan grants to see which you apply for!

graduates throwing hats in the air

Paying off your student loans?

Including both public and private loans, the United States has an average of $1.75 trillion in student loan debt. Because of this outstanding balance and on top of your typical payments, we’ve rounded up 24 grants, forgiveness programs, and other organizations that will pay a partial amount for select borrowers.

Some of the eligibility factors for these programs are based on ethnic background, career field, and more. We even have an option for those of you who loathe essay entries. 😉 Hopefully, there’s an outlet for everyone, and, if we missed any, feel free to share them in the comments!

Here are 24 student loan grants & forgiveness programs to check out:

1. IHS Loan Repayment Program

IHS Loan Repayment Program

  • Deadline: Every 15th of the month
  • Award: Up to $40,000
  • Who Can Apply? American Indian or Alaskan Natives in the health care field with student debt.
  • Details & How to Apply: IHS Loan Repayment Program

Those with American or Alaskan Native indigenous roots in the healthcare industry have a monthly chance to gain some student forgiveness grants!

2. Forget Your Student Debt No-Essay

blank piece of paper and pen

If you’re not good at essays, no need to fret! This easy grant allows everyone who has student loans to apply!

3. NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program

medical professionals

To receive this program, you must “provide at least three years of service at an NHSC-approved site in a designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA)”.

4. Growing with Gabby

college diploma

  • Deadline: January 31st, 2023
  • Award: $2,050 (2 winners, $1,025 each)
  • Who Can Apply? Any education level, including graduates with debt.
  • Details & How to Apply: Growing with Gabby

This scholarship is by Gabriella Carter, who has actually written a book about ways to win scholarships and made an online presence about it. Gabriella believes in constantly growing, and, to help achieve that, she created this scholarship. In 400-600 words, write about how you’ve grown over the last year.

5. Grow Your Own Produce Sustainability Scholarship

Fresh Produce

  • Deadline: Closed for now, but likely opens in December.
  • Award: $500
  • Who Can Apply? Students or anyone with debt who grows produce or is a part of a community that grows produce.
  • Details & How to Apply: Grow Your Own Produce Sustainability Scholarship

Green thumbs, unite! Although it’s not the highest amount, every penny counts toward your loans.

6. Nitro Student Loan Forgiveness Grant

university tablet and books

Nitro aids students, parents, and graduates make the best financial decisions when it comes to loans.

7. Focus Forward Scholarship

College Students

  • Deadline: Closed for now, but likely opens spring 2023.
  • Award: $2,000
  • Who Can Apply? Undergraduate students with at least a 3.0 GPA and have at least one year of student debt.
  • Details & How to Apply: Focus Forward Scholarship

To apply for this grant, share your career goals and how this scholarship will help you get closer to your goals.

8. National Healthcare Heroes Grant for Nurses

masked nurses at Target

Grants for nurses are available, and this one encourages impact and empathy.

9. Charles Cheesman’s Student Debt Reduction Scholarship

Graduate with balloon

  • Deadline: Closed for now, but likely opens spring 2023.
  • Award: $10,000 (2 winners, $5,000 each)
  • Who Can Apply? Hispanic/Latino or African Americans who are first-generation students or graduates with student debt.
  • Details & How to Apply: Charles Cheesman’s Student Debt Reduction Scholarship

For this application, write about your life goals and what you will do with the money you save from this grant.

10. WiseGeek Lifelong Learners No-Essay Grant

Discounts for College Students

If you’re looking for a short and simple grant, this is the one for you; anyone with student debt fits the criteria!

11. WiseGeek No-Essay Military Appreciation Grant

military-family

  • Deadline: Closed for now, but likely opens spring 2023.
  • Award: $500
  • Who Can Apply? Active, former, or future service member of the US military with student debt.
  • Details & How to Apply: WiseGeek No-Essay Military Appreciation Grant

If you’re a service member who isn’t the best at essays, this grant is for you!

12. @ESPDaniella Debt Grant

person behind books

  • Deadline: July 31st, 2023
  • Award: $4,500 (3 winners, $1,500 each)
  • Who Can Apply? Anyone with debt.
  • Details & How to Apply: @ESPDaniella Debt Grant

Students struggling with debt can alleviate some stress with this easy-apply grant.

13. Noah Jon Markstrom Student Debt Paydown Grant

Noah Jon Markstrom Student Debt Paydown Grant

This scholarship is inspired by the late Noah Markstrom, who battled cancer for two years and has the most incredible medical team. Honoring those in this field, grant applicants must explain how their career has changed their lives and why they chose it.

14. Army Reserve College Loan Repayment Program

Three U.S. Army Members

Service men and women in the army for at least 6 years can either get their tuition paid or have their loans covered up to $50,000.

15. Maine Alfond Leaders Student Debt Reduction Program

scientist looking at microscope

  • Deadline: Closed for now, but the website encouraged interested applicants to check back on the 1st of each month for updates.
  • Award: Up to $60,000
  • Who Can Apply? Grads who live and work in Maine in a STEM-designated occupation at a Maine-based employer.
  • Details & How to Apply: Focus Forward Scholarship

Make sure you look into those state exemptions! Those who live in Maine may be qualified to receive student loan reimbursement.

16. New York State Young Farmers Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program

tomatos and zucchini in baskets at farmers market

New York state residents who are farmers can have their student debt reimbursed by following the official instructions.

17. NYS Child Welfare Worker Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program

women working with kids in the back

This is another state/career-based program you can apply to if you fit the qualifications.

18. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Loan Repayment Programs

lab work

A big advancement in the biomedical field is potentially having your student loans reimbursed!

19. Attorney Student Loan Repayment Program

business woman sitting in front of laptop

Select attorneys with student loans may be qualified for this student loan repayment program.

20. John R. Justice (JRJ) Program

criminal defense judge mallet

Public defenders, prosecutors, and full-time employees of select non-profit organizations may be able to apply to this program for partial loan forgiveness.

21. Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program

medical professional putting gloves on

Registered nurses (RNs), advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and nurse faculty (NF) may be eligible to receive up tp 85% of student loan reimbursement.

22. The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program

veterinarian examining dog

  • Award: $25,000/year
  • Who Can Apply? Veterinarians with student loans who agree to serve in a NIFA-designated veterinarian shortage situation for a period of three years.
  • Details & How to Apply: The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program

Veterinarians with student loans may be able to have their loans repaid by working with a NIFA-designated veterinarian shortage situation.

23. Student Debt Relief Plan

College student working on Dell Laptop

Under the current administration, the Student Debt Relief Plan will grant up to $20,000 in debt cancellation to Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 to non-Pell Grant borrowers. You will apply if your individual income is less than $125,000 or your married income is less than $250,000.

The “up to” implies that if you owe less than $10K, you will receive whatever the balance is. Therefore, you won’t receive the entire amount if it covers more than you owe. Note that this is only for federal loans, and applications are expected to open in October of this year.

Federal payments will also resume in January 2023, with a new minimum payment of no more than 5% of your discretionary income monthly.

23. Check with your employer.

google on laptop

Although it’s not a guarantee, there are some employers out there who will actually supply limited loan forgiveness if you’ve worked there for a certain amount of time. Companies including Aetna, Google, Staples, Chegg, and more are among a few of the more well-known companies that participate in some sort of student loan forgiveness for their employees. It doesn’t hurt to look into it!

Looking to get your schooling paid for before hitting the books? Check out these companies that pay for employee tuition!

Here are 60 scholarships students need to apply for!