Dentist Loan Repayment Programs

GBHCW Dentist Loan Repayment Programs

Updates and important dates:

• Application Cycle opens September 1st, 2025
  • Apply through the GBHCW Online Loan Repayment Application Portal
  • DRAA Application Materials
  • GDELRP Application Materials
• Last Day to ask questions: After October 20, GBHCW staff will contact applicants for any additional or missing information.
• Application Cycle Concludes: November 3rd, 2025

About our Dentist Loan Repayment Programs:

The GBHCW administers service-cancelable loan repayment programs for dentists.

The programs assist in paying any debt incurred for tuition, fees, and other expenses associated with the completion of the aforementioned degrees for practitioners who agree to practice full-time in an underserved, rural county in Georgia with a population of 50,000 or less.

• Dentists for Rural Areas Assistance Program (DRAA)
• Georgia Dentist Education Loan Repayment Program (GDELRP)

Here are resources to determine the eligibility of a county you may be interested in servicing:

•   Loan Repayment Programs Eligibility Map
• Health Outcomes Link

Dentists for Rural Areas Assistance Program (DRAA):

• A service-cancelable loan of up to $25,000 per year to licensed dentists
• Assists dentists in repaying outstanding dental education loan debt

• Dentists must provide direct patient care in medically underserved, rural areas of Georgia
• "Full-time" practice is a minimum of 40 hours per week (of which 32 hours must be direct patient contact while the remaining hours can be administrative)
• Contracts are awarded for one year and are renewable for an additional three terms (for a maximum of four years and $100,000)
• Funding for this program is provided solely by the State of Georgia

Click here  to view the Information Sheet and Eligible Counties Map for the Dentists for Rural Areas Assistance Program.

DRAA application Materials - details, including program requirements and materials.

Georgia Dentist Education Loan Repayment Program (GDELRP):

• A service-cancelable loan of up to $150,000 to licensed dentists or fourth-year dental students over four years

• Assists dentists or fourth-year dental students in repaying outstanding dental education loan debt
• Dentists must provide direct patient care in medically underserved, rural areas of Georgia
• "Full-time" practice is a minimum of 40 hours per week (of which 32 hours must be direct patient contact while the remaining hours can be administrative)
• Contracts are awarded for a four-year term
• Funding for this program is provided solely by the State of Georgia

Click here  to view the Information Sheet and Eligible Counties Map for the Georgia Dentist Education Loan Repayment Program.

GDELRP Application Materials - details, including program requirements and materials.