The Long Term Care Nurse Loan Forgiveness Program provides funds for repayment of Qualified Educational Loans. Qualified Educational Loans include government, commercial, and foundation loans for actual costs paid for tuition, reasonable education and living expenses related to the past graduate or undergraduate education of the Nurse. This program is offered to licensed practical nurses and registered nurses who practice in a licensed nursing home, assisted living facility, home care provider, intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities, or a hospital that owns/operates a licensed nursing home where a minimum of 50 percent of the hours worked is in a nursing home in Minnesota. Current nursing students who will be licensed by March 31 following selection are also eligible to apply. Applicants are not eligible if they have received any loan forgiveness funding from the Nursing Facility Employee Scholarship Program. This is a competitive selection process. Selections are made based on suitability for practice as indicated by experience or training as noted on an application, as well as preference given to those closest to completing their training. Preference will be given to applicants who document diverse cultural competencies. The number of applicants ORHPC may select for participation per year varies and is contingent upon state funding. Participants are required to practice as a licensed practical or registered nurse in a licensed nursing home; assisted living facility; home care; intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities; or a hospital that owns/operates a licensed nursing home where a minimum of 50 percent of the hours worked is in a nursing home in Minnesota, for a minimum of two years, with the option to extend an additional two years. Participants must live and work in Minnesota. Selected participants shall provide direct patient care hours/client-centered services 30 hours a week for at least 45 weeks per year. Hours cannot be fulfilled meeting with providers, process improvement, policy development, supervising, or administering programs. Please visit the award's website or contact the Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care for more information.