Health Workforce Incentive Programs

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) offers a variety of impactful programs to attract primary health professionals to underserved areas of Virginia. Many of these initiatives help reduce medical education debt while enabling professionals to join vibrant communities and deliver care to those most in need. Loan repayment awards are competitive and often prioritized for those serving in Virginia's most underserved regions, with funding dedicated solely to repaying educational loans tied to health professional licensure.

For a printable list of all the programs the VDH administers, click here Health Workforce Incentive Programs.  For more detailed information about each program, click on the links below.

Application Instructions for Programs & Quick links:

Application Instructions for all Programs

Conrad 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program & Appalachian Regional Commission J-1 Waiver Program (October 16, 2026 - April 16, 2027)

National Interest Waiver Program (Year-Round)

Health and Human Services Exchange Visitor Program (Year-Round)

Virginia State Loan Repayment Programs (Tentatively late Summer 2026)

Virginia Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program (Tentatively late Fall 2026)

The Commonwealth's Earn to Learn Program 

Nursing Forms

If you are currently completing a service obligation, please review and submit the required documents using the PDF fillable compliance form links below.

Nursing Guidelines

Verification of Student Enrollment Form

30-Day of Verification of Employment Form

4- or 6 -month Verification of Employment Form

Transfer Practice Site Form

Change of Demographic Form

Contract Variance/Hardship Form

Upcoming Transition of Nursing Workforce Incentive Programs

On March 31, 2026, Governor Spanberger signed Senate Bill 405, which transfers all existing nursing workforce incentive programs from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority’s (VHWDA) Virginia Nursing Workforce Center.

As part of this transition:

  • VDH will no longer accept applications for the nurse workforce incentive programs listed below.
  • VDH is currently reviewing Nurse Preceptor Incentive Programs (NPIP) applications received on or before April 30, 2026.
  • For updates on NPIP and other nursing workforce incentive programs, including future application instructions, please visit the Virginia Nursing Workforce Center website at https://vanwc.org/

Mary Marshall Nursing Scholarships (RN/CNA/LPN)

Virginia Long-Term Care Facility Scholarship Programs (RN/CNA)

Virginia Nurse Practitioner/Nurse Midwife and Nurse Educator Scholarship Programs

Virginia Nursing Preceptor Incentive Program 

VDH is unable to provide tax advice or answer questions about taxes that may or may not be owed for any incentives offered. Participants should consult a tax or financial advisor regarding any potential tax obligations related to an incentive.

Are you looking for a career in Virginia’s rural and underserved areas?

Watch a video to learn how to use the 3RNET website by clicking on the image below.

PLEASE NOTE: Nursing programs are no longer managed by the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Health Equity. All nursing program inquiries are now handled by the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority (VHWDA) – Virginia Nursing Workforce Center, please call (804) 592-1724 or email at info@vhwda.org.

For Incentive Program questions (excluding Nursing Programs), technical support, compliance, or follow‑up assistance, please contact us at (804) 864-7435 or email at incentiveprograms@vdh.virginia.gov