Primary Care Loan

The Primary Care Loan (PCL) Program is designed to provide low-interest rate loans to allopathic and osteopathic medical students who intends to engage in primary health care. The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) governs the loan. For regulatory information, visit the HHS website at http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/dsa/sfag/.

Primary health care is defined as the following:

• Family Medicine
• General Internal Medicine
• General Pediatrics
• Preventive Medicine
• Osteopathic General Practice

All PCL borrowers must commit to a (3) three year primary care residency and must practice as a primary care physician until the loan is paid in full.

If a PCL borrower fail to comply with the above, they are risking severe penalties:

1. The interest rate will change from (5%) five percent to (18%) eighteen percent per annum beginning on the date of noncompliance and ending when the loan is paid in full.
2. The PCL borrower is ineligible for deferment.

What's on this page?

• Deferment
  • Student Deferment
  • Leave of Absence Deferment
  • Advanced Profession Training Deferment
  • Fellowship Deferment
  • Military Deferment

Deferment

(For PCL Loans made on or after November 13, 1998)

Repayment of both principal and interest on the PCL borrower's loan may be postponed by submitting a properly completed deferment form by the specified due date. Deferments are not automatic. The deferment form must be submitted on an annual or semester basis depending on the program. The University has a right to deny a request for deferment if it does not comply with the information requirements or if the deferment is submitted late. A PCL borrower must notify the University or our billing agent, ACS, when they have completed or terminated from a deferrable activity.

Student Deferment

If any PCL borrower ceases to be a full-time student pursuing an eligible course of study, but re-enters the same or another health professions school within the grace period is eligible for a deferment only if the school offers the PCL loan program. When a PCL borrower receives this type of deferment they will be eligible for another grace period.

Leave of Absence Deferment

Any PCL borrower taking a leave of absence to pursue a course of study related to the health profession for which the loan was received and has the intent of returning to the original school as a full-time student is eligible for a leave of absence deferment. The maximum deferment period is (2) two years.

Advanced Professional Training Deferment

Any PCL borrower who pursues advanced professional training in primary care to include internships and residencies is eligible for advanced professional training deferment.

Fellowship Deferment

Any PCL borrower who pursues fellowship training or other educational activity (directly related to the health profession for which the loan was obtained) are eligible for fellowship deferment only if pursued no later than (12) twelve months after the completion of an advanced professional training in primary care. The maximum deferment period is (2) two years.

Military Deferment

Any PCL borrower who serves on active duty as a member of the uniform service or as a Peace Corps volunteer is eligible for military deferment. The maximum deferment period is (3) three years.

** Primary Care Loans are not eligible for consolidation.