Student Loan Repayment Programs Begin Accepting 2026 Applicants
Georgia’s student loan reimbursement program applications will begin going live on August 1, 2027. Multiple opportunities are available for dentists aspiring to practice in rural areas and dental health professional shortage areas. The American Dental Association and Georgia Dental Association will continue to advocate for reforms that reduce new dentists’ student debt burden.
Georgia Dentist Education Loan Repayment Program (GDELRP)
GDELRP and its predecessor, the Dentists for Rural Areas Assistance Program (DRAA), are service-cancelable loans offered to dentists practicing in Georgia counties with 50,000 people or less according to the 2020 census. Practice must be full-time, defined as 32 hours of direct patient contact and 40 hours in total, and dentists must treat Medicaid patients. GDELRP offers up to $150,000 in total student loan reimbursement for eligible service.
Application Open Date: August 15, 2026
Application Deadline: October 12, 2026
Application: Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce
The Georgia State Loan Repayment Program
The Georgia State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) helps eligible healthcare professionals, including dentists, repay qualifying educational loans in exchange for providing care at approved practice sites. Practice must be full-time, 40 hours per week for 45 weeks per year, or half-time, at least 20 hours per week for 45 weeks per year. Dentists (general and pediatric) must work in a federally designated dental health professional shortage area. SLRP awards up to $50,000 a year to full-time participants.
Practice sites must accept reimbursement under Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP as well as utilize a sliding fee scale and see all patients regardless of ability to pay. Sites may be Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), FQHC Look-A-Likes, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Rural Health Clinics, other community health facilities, correctional facilities, and private practices.
Application Open Date: August 1, 2026
Application Deadline: Until spots are filled
Application: State Loan Repayment Program
More Programs
There are other programs accessible to students and new graduates. The United States Public Health Service, Veterans Affairs, military, and Indian Health Service all have loan repayment programs. There are even scholarships available for prospective dental students.
Initiatives
The Georgia Dental Association has a long history of supporting policies that lower the burden of new dentists’ student debt. From service cancelable student loans to tax credits, there are many opportunities to support dentists who choose to serve in rural settings and shortage areas. The GDA will continue to promote change that supports dentists in all stages of their career. To get involved, consider becoming a contact dentist, donating to GDAPAC, and attending LAWDay 2027.