The short answer
Vermont has 1 loan repayment program a dentist can apply to, and it is open as of September 26, 2026. Federal programs (NHSC, IHS and the military) also work here.
Apply now: Vermont Educational Loan Repayment Program - Dental Professionals
- Vermont Educational Loan Repayment Program - Dental Professionals: 2027 applications now open; deadline for applications: October 16, 2026; award notifications winter 2027 (estimated).
Vermont programs for dentists
Each program below is described from its official page. Terms change every cycle, so confirm the numbers and deadline there before you apply.
Vermont Educational Loan Repayment Program - Dental Professionals (DMD, DDS, RDH, DT)
UVM Larner College of Medicine Office of Primary Care and AHEC Program, on behalf of the State (Vermont Department of Health sets priorities)
- Dentists
- Eligible · hygienists eligible too
- What it pays
- Up to $50,000 maximum total funds annually (federal/state + match funds); $300,000 max over 6 years. Dentists/dental therapists: $10,000-$25,000 state/federal funds per year full-time ($5,000-$12,500 half-time), employer match required. RDH: $5,000-$10,000/yr full-time ($2,500-$5,000 half-time).
- Commitment
- Recruitment and Job-Seeker awards: 1-year (12 months); Retention awards: up to 2 years. Full-time 40 hrs/week (36 direct clinical) or half-time 20-39 hrs/week (18 direct clinical); 45 weeks/year.
- Where you can work
- Dental practices in Vermont; federal SLRP funds focused on FQHCs in HPSAs (dentist must serve in dental HPSA); state funds usable more broadly. Must accept Medicare/Medicaid/Dr. Dynasaur and meet a Medicaid patient target; no membership/concierge-fee practices.
- Applying
- 2027 applications now open; deadline for applications: October 16, 2026; award notifications winter 2027 (estimated).
- Taxes
- 'The federal Affordable Care Act ... treats debt repayment under the AHEC administered Vermont Educational Loan Repayment Program ... as exempt for income tax purposes.'
Official sources: uvm.edu (undated ('2027 Application is now open!'), uvm.edu (2027 cycle document (footer 'Version:124), uvm.edu (2027 flyer), healthvermont.gov (undated). Checked Sep 26, 2026.
Vermont Care Partners program is for designated/specialized service agencies (mental health), not dentists. Delta Dental items on VDH page are private.
Federal programs that also work in Vermont
- NHSC Loan Repayment Program: up to $50,000 for two years full time at an approved site, tax-free. Funded only through Dec. 31, 2026 under current law.
- Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program: up to $50,000 for two years at IHS, tribal and urban Indian sites.
- Military scholarships and loan repayment.
How these fit with your other loan choices
- PSLF: if the site is a nonprofit or government employer, the same years can count toward PSLF. If you’re sure to reach PSLF, a repayment award mostly shrinks what PSLF would have forgiven.
- RAP: award payments lower your balance, not your RAP payment, which is based on income. Estimate your RAP payment.
- Refinancing: most programs repay federal and private qualifying education loans; check whether yours counts before you refinance.
What to do next
- Check whether your job, or the one you’re considering, is at an eligible site (most programs require a shortage area, and many require a nonprofit or public employer).
- Read the official page for each program above and note the next deadline.
- Compare the award with what staying on RAP or PSLF, or refinancing, would cost you: run your numbers.
Program details come from each program’s official page, checked September 26, 2026. We don’t earn anything from loan repayment programs. General education, not advice. Found an error? Tell us.