Rural America is in need of veterinary care, with nearly 200 regions across 44 states officially designated as food animal veterinary shortage areas. USDA is calling for applications to the veterinary medicine loan repayment program. Those accepted received loan assistance if they commit to practicing in areas with shortages of veterinary services.

The nomination period for the fiscal year 2020 runs from October 7th through November 11th. See below for details:

The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program

The VMLRP will pay up to $25,000 each year towards qualified educational loans of eligible veterinarians who agree to serve in a NIFA-designated veterinarian shortage situation for a period of three years. To learn more about the VMLRP, click on the links below.

VMLRP General Information
Information for anyone interested in the VMLRP, including, but not limited to, legislative authority, regulations, Federal Register notices, reports and statistics, and a glossary pertaining to the VMLRP.

VMLRP Timeline
General Timeline for the process and events specifically pertaining to the different aspects of the VMLRP program.

VMLRP Applicants
Information for veterinarians interested in applying to the program, including eligibility, loan consolidation, the application review process, a guide to completing the application, and application forms.

VMLRP Participants
Information for award recipients on the following topics: service obligation, tax allowance, the loan repayment process, etc

VMLRP Shortage Situations
Information on veterinarian shortage situations and the nomination process including links to the designated Veterinarian Shortage Situation Map, Veterinarian Shortage Situation Nomination form, and a guide for State Animal Health Officials completing the nomination form.

VMLRP Panelists
Information for anyone interested in serving on the Nomination or Awards Panels, including the questionnaire and a description of roles and responsibilities for each panel.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: vmlrp@usda.gov(link sends e-mail)
Phone: (202) 401-4952
Fax: (202) 720-6486