How the USDA Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program works

January 22, 2026

Practical FAQs explaining who qualifies for the USDA Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program, how much it pays, the application timeline, and where to find application materials.

The federal Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) reopened for the fiscal year 2026 (FY26) cycle on January 13, 2026, when the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) posted the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and the list of designated 2026 veterinary shortage situations. The program returns with expanded funding, new guidance and evaluation criteria for first-time and renewal applicants, and a substantially larger award ceiling of up to $40,000 per year for 3 years to repay student loan debt, plus tax-assistance payments equal to 39% of the loan repayment amount (that’s $15,600 per year in tax help and $46,800 across 3 years), for a total maximum value of $166,800 on a 3-year contract.1

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If you’re applying this cycle, the Letter of Intent (LOI) is due February 19, 2026, and the application window closes March 5, 2026. NIFA expects to notify applicants of final funding decisions by September 30, 2026, with award effective dates beginning January 1, 2027.1

Not sure where to start? Check out the FAQs below1-2:

What’s new for FY26?

The VMLRP resumed after an almost 1-year hiatus with an increase in funding to approximately $18 million (an $8 million carryover from FY25 plus $10 million new FY26 funds), updated applicant guidance and evaluation criteria, and a higher award ceiling. NIFA is also using the FY25-identified shortage situations (243 shortages across 46 states) for the FY26 cycle.

How much can I receive if awarded?

Awarded participants may receive up to $40,000 per year (student loan repayment) for a standard 3-year service agreement. This adds up to a $120,000 total loan repayment plus tax-assistance payments equal to 39% of the total repayment. That’s $15,600 per year in tax help and $46,800 across 3 years, for a maximum combined value of $166,800.

Are applications open now, and what are the key dates?

Yes. The 2026 cycle opened January 13, 2026. The LOI deadline is February 19, 2026, and the application deadline is March 5, 2026. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by September 30, 2026, and the effective award date is January 1, 2027.

Who is eligible to apply this cycle?

Basic FY26 eligibility includes: a DVM (or equivalent) from an American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education–accredited veterinary college, a minimum of $15,000 in eligible student loan debt, and the ability to accept employment in a designated veterinary shortage situation listed for FY26. Read the FY26 NOFO for full eligibility language and any additional requirements.

What types of applicants can apply (new vs renewal)?

There are 2 application types for FY26:

  • New applications are for veterinarians who have never received a VMLRP award or previous awardees who are beyond the first year after their award expired and who wish to serve in a different shortage situation. New applicants must apply to a shortage situation active in the fiscal year they apply.
  • Renewal applications are for veterinarians who are in the last year of a current VMLRP agreement or in the first year after it ended. Specifically, awardees with start dates of January 1, 2022, 2023, or 2024, may apply to renew their original shortage situation using their original shortage situation ID.

How were shortage areas determined for FY26?

For FY26, NIFA will use the shortage situations identified in fall 2024 (the FY25 nominations). That listing includes a record 243 veterinary shortage situations across 46 states and territories. Use NIFA’s shortage situation map/list to confirm that your intended practice location matches a designated area before applying.

How will FY26 funding be prioritized across practice types?

Approximately 90% of FY26 funding will go to vets in private practice working with food-animal cases (large-animal vets in 2 shortage categories). The other approximately 10% is reserved for vets in public health, specialty, or other non–private practice roles.

What documentation should I prepare now?

Begin early. Prepare the LOI per the FY26 instructions; download and complete all required application PDFs from the NOFO page; compile lender statements documenting eligible debt; obtain employer/placement verification tied to the posted shortage situation code; and gather any supporting materials the NOFO requests. NIFA also provides a loan documentation tutorial and will announce a technical assistance webinar for applicants.

What are my odds of receiving an award?

Selection is competitive. Historically, the program averages approximately 150 applications and approximately 90 awards per year. NIFA’s FY24 report and prior cycles show that award rates vary by applicant cohort. For example, award rates differ by years post graduation. FY26 competition will depend on the applicant pool and available funds.

Where do I send the LOI, and who can I contact with questions?

The FY26 LOI must be emailed to VMLRP.applications@USDA.gov. For application questions, email VMLRP.applications@USDA.gov. For loan/award administration or program details, use the contacts listed on NIFA’s VMLRP pages. Watch NIFA’s site for the technical assistance webinar announcement.

Resources

References

  1. Larkin M. Applications open for federal Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program. American Veterinary Medical Association. January 22, 2026. Accessed January 22, 2026. https://www.avma.org/news/applications-open-federal-veterinary-medicine-loan-repayment-program
  2. National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report: Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program. US Department of Agriculture; 2025. Accessed January 22, 2026. https://www.nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2025-05/FY2024AnnualReport%20VMLRP%20FINAL_remediated.pdf

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