Primary Care Loan Forgiveness (PCLF)

Provider Incentive Programs

PCLF Application

The PCLF application cycle is now closed. The next application cycle will open November 1, 2019.

Click here for PCLF FAQs

PCLF Program Information

The PCLF was designed to meet workforce needs in rural Oregon for primary care providers. PCLF participants are eligible for forgivable loans of up to $35,000 per year, for tuition and fees only, in exchange for a service obligation to an approved rural Oregon practice site.

To be eligible for PCLF, students must:

  • Be in good academic standing; AND 
  • Be participating in the Oregon AHEC Scholars Program or accepted to an approved Oregon rural training track (Western University: D.O.); AND 
  • Be prepared to begin practice in primary care at an approved rural practice site within 90 days of graduation or completion of residency (if applicable)

For PCLF primary care is defined as:

  • Physicians: Family Medicine, General Internal Medicine, General Pediatrics, General Surgery, Community Psychiatry, Gerontology and OB/GYN
  • Physician Assistants: Family Medicine, General Internal Medicine, General Pediatrics, General Surgery, Community Psychiatry, Gerontology and OB/GYN
  • Nurse Practitioners: Family, Adult, Nurse Midwife, Gerontology, Pediatric, and Psychiatric Mental Health
  • Dentists: General Adult and General Pediatric
  • Pharmacists: General Pharmacy and Psychiatric Pharmacy

Upon completion of training, PCLF participants must:

  • Be contracted to practice in primary care at an approved rural Oregon practice site within 90 days of graduation or completion of residency (if applicable); AND 
  • Serve one year of clinical service in an approved rural Oregon practice site for each year of funding received; AND 
  • Provide a minimum of 32 hours a week of direct patient care a week in an approved rural Oregon practice site for the duration of their service obligation.

PCLF practice sites must: 

  • Be located in a rural area as designated by the Oregon Office of Rural Health; AND 
  • Be located in a federally designated HPSA, MUA or an Area of Unmet Need as determined by the Oregon Office of Rural Health; AND
  • See at least the same percentage of Medicare and Medicaid patients that exist in the county in which the clinic is located; AND 
  • Have a valid Site Application on file with the Oregon Office of Rural health that is no more than one year old.

PCLF Service Obligation

What is my PCLF obligation while in school?

  • Continue your participation in the Oregon AHEC Scholars Program or approved Oregon rural training track (Western University: D.O.); AND
  • Remain enrolled full time and in good academic standing

In the event that you encounter an extreme circumstance that requires you to take a leave of absence from your academic program you must contact the Office of Rural Health as soon as possible.

What is my post-graduation PCLF obligation?

  • Be contracted to practice in primary care at an approved rural Oregon practice site within 90 days of graduation or completion of residency (if applicable); AND
  • Serve one year of clinical service in primary care at an approved rural Oregon practice site for each year of funding received; AND
  • Provide a minimum of 32 hours a week of direct patient care a week at your approved practice site for 48 weeks out of a 52 week period (for the duration on your PCLF obligation); AND
  • Promptly notify the Office of Rural Health with any employment status or contact information changes.  

The points listed above do not encompass all aspects of your PCLF obligation. Please read your PCLF contract carefully and contact the Office of Rural Health with any questions. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact

For more information, contact us at | 503-494-4450 | toll-free 866-674-4376.