For a third straight year, NASW-NYS successfully secured an expansion to the states social work loan forgiveness program, bringing the total up to $1.72 million. Expansion of this program will assist in ongoing efforts to recruit and retain social workers in high demand critical human services area. Applicants seeking Licensed Social Worker Loan Forgiveness Program awards must work in critical human services for a minimum of 35 hours per week during the calendar year preceding their application or payment.
The designated critical human service areas were updated in the 2015 series and are now determined by utilizing federal census data identifying designated Medically Underserved Areas and Populations (MUA/P) and Designated Health Provider Shortage Areas (HPSA). Additional information on the loan forgiveness program can be located on the Higher Education Services Corporation website.