NASW-NYS Secures Expansion of Loan Forgiveness Eligibility

One of NASW-NYS’s legislative priorities for 2014 was the expansion and increased funding of the NYS Social Worker Loan Forgiveness Program.  In March 2014 we successfully advocated for an additional $250,000 in the state budget, adding to the nearly $1 Million in existing funding the Chapter had previously secured for the program.  Following months of legislative meetings outlining the need to expand the eligibility formula beyond the existing 28 counties designated as high need, we have learned from Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) – the state agency administering the program, they have indeed implemented the Chapter’s recommendation for determining program eligibility by utilizing Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) designated Medically Underserved Areas and Populations (MUA/P) and Designated Health Provider Shortage Areas (HPSA). Utilization of this formula to establish high need areas will essentially expand eligibility to include part or all of each county in New York State.  Adding in some instances entire counties that were previously excluded from eligibility and in all other counties, the highest need areas/pockets of poverty will now be included.

This was a long fought victory and is a result of an enormous amount of legislative advocacy by the Chapter on behalf of New York’s social workers with support from the NYS Association of Deans of Schools of Social Work and the NASW-NYC Chapter. We thank the Governors’ staff and the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) for hearing and being responsive to our workforce development efforts to secure and expand the availability of professional social work services in areas of need throughout the state.

The 2014 application cycle for the NYS Social Worker Loan Forgiveness Program is NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS through March 15, 2015. For details visit the HESC website:   http://www.hesc.ny.gov/repay-your-loans/repayment-options-assistance/loan-forgiveness-cancellation-and-discharge/nys-licensed-social-worker-loan-forgiveness-program.html

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