Oklahoma Dental Student Loan Repayment Program
Through the Oklahoma Dental Student Loan Repayment Program, qualified dentists who are working in areas where there is a critical dental shortage may be eligible to qualify for student loan forgiveness. To qualify, you must perform at least 30% of your appointments on clients using medicare. Read on to see eligibility requirements, award amounts, and the application process for the Oklahoma Dental Student Loan Repayment Program.
Eligibility?
In order to be eligible for the Oklahoma Dental Student Loan Repayment Program, you must meet the following criteria:
A. Eligibility for repayment assistance for non-faculty applicants requires compliance with the following.
1. Receipt of a dental degree from an accredited U.S. dental school within the previous five (5) years. Preference will be given to graduates of the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry.
2. Completion of all requirements to receive an active unrestricted license to practice dentistry in the State of Oklahoma at the time the service obligation begins.
3. A demonstrable financial need with outstanding eligible dental school loans. a. Loans eligible for repayment assistance are any loans for educational expenses while attending dental school from a college, university, government, commercial source, or an organization, institution, association, society, or corporation that is exempt from taxation under 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The ODLRP applicant must be able to provide, upon request, documentation that commercial loans were used for payment of educational expenses.
4. An established practice, or the commitment to establish a practice, located in an Oklahoma Dental Health Professional Shortage Area (DHPSA). An eligible practice site is a solo, group, or incorporated private practice, and any federal, state, local, or private for-profit or nonprofit dental facility. Pediatric Dentistry Specialists or dentists practicing in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), FQHC look-alikes, county health departments, or city-county health departments are exempt from the DHPSA requirement.
5. Fulfillment of all applicable requirements of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to qualify as a Medicaid Dental Provider at the time the service obligation begins.
6. Agree that during the service obligation/contract period, a minimum of 30% of the patient visits are by Medicaid recipients. The 30% requirement will be monitored monthly, but the participating dentist will be found in compliance if the yearly average is 30% or greater.
7. Maintain a full-time general or pediatric dental practice at the established DHPSA practice site(s) described in the service contract. a. A full-time practice refers to a minimum average of 32 hours per week performing dental services at the practice site(s). b. Absences up to 224 hours per year shall be allowed away from the practice for holidays, vacation, continuing professional education, or illness. Absences greater than 224 hours in any given 52-week period may result in an assessment that may extend the service obligation end date.
B. Eligibility for repayment assistance for faculty applicants requires compliance with the following.
1. Receipt of a dental degree from an accredited U.S. dental school within the previous five (5) years. Preference will be given to graduates of the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry.
2. Completion of all requirements to receive an active unrestricted license to practice dentistry in the State of Oklahoma or an applicable faculty permit at the time the service obligation begins.
3. A demonstrable financial need with outstanding eligible dental school loans. a. Loans eligible for repayment assistance are any loans for educational expenses while attending dental school from a college, university, government, commercial source, or an organization, institution, association, society, or corporation that is exempt from taxation under 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The ODLRP applicant must be able to provide, upon request, documentation that commercial loans were used for payment of educational expenses. 4
4. Agreement to abide by the rules and regulations for a faculty member, and the job duties assigned by the Dean of the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry.
C. Limitations upon eligibility common to both non-faculty and faculty applicants. A non-faculty or faculty applicant’s eligibility may be rescinded or terminated if any of the following conditions occur:
1. A breach of an obligation for service to a federal, state, or local government entity;
2. An obligation for service to a federal, state, or local government entity that remains unsatisfied and will interfere with the fulfillment of the requirements of the Program; or
3. A default or material breach of an agreement to repay a higher education loan or borrowing agreement.
How much can I expect to be awarded?
Through the Oklahoma Dental Student Loan Repayment Program, applicants may qualify to receive up to $25,000. The loan amount shall be determined by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) annually based upon the amount of funds appropriated to OSDH. If the participating dentist’s eligible loans are less than the cumulative repayment assistance total available over five years, that participating dentist shall be in the ODLRP no longer than required to pay off the total eligible loans and shall not receive more funding assistance than the total eligible indebtedness.
What loans qualify for this program?
• Stafford loans
• Grad PLUS loans
• Consolidation loans
• Perkins loans
• Private student loans
How do I apply for this repayment program?
In order to apply for the Oklahoma Dental Student Loan Repayment Program, you will need to go through their application packet. Should you have any other questions or concerns, please e-mail ODLRP@health.ok.gov
Questions?
If you still have questions or would like to know more information please reach out to us here or you can go back to the Student Loan Repayment Assistance Programs page.