Georgia Department of Agriculture

08/01/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/01/2024 12:29

The Georgia Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Program is Open

Georgia Department of Agriculture
Tyler Harper, Commissioner
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW
Atlanta, GA 30334

Thu, Aug 1 2024

The Georgia Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Program is Open to Applicants for the 2025 Cycle

Atlanta, GA - Today, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced that the Georgia Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Program (GVELRP) is open for applications for the 2025 cycle. Applications will be accepted from August 1st, 2024, through September 30th, 2024. The State Veterinary Education Board will review, determine, and announce award recipients later in the year.

"The GVELRP plays a crucial role in our work to address the shortage of rural veterinarians in our state, and now more than ever, we need our rural communities to have access to the quality veterinary services that are essential for farmers, ranchers, and rural pet-owners," saidAgriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. "We're grateful for the General Assembly's support of GVELRP, and I am looking forward to seeing the high caliber, talented veterinarians utilize this program to provide their expertise and serve in our rural communities."

Financial relief is available to veterinarians through the GVELRP, provided they commit to delivering veterinary services for a minimum of 20 hours per week, over at least one year, in designated rural counties facing shortages in food animal care across the state. Applicants must practice or intend to practice in Board-approved rural counties with populations of 35,000 or less to be considered for an award. A map of eligible rural counties can be found here. To qualify for this program, applicants must:

  • Be a citizen of the United States or have a lawful presence in the country.
  • Reside in Georgia.
  • Be a practicing veterinarian or a veterinary student in the final year of study.

The Georgia General Assembly allocated state funds to GSFA for the Board's operational needs. This year, participants can receive awards of up to $20,000 per twelve-month service period. Preference will be given to previous participants in GVELRP, provided they continue to demonstrate their commitment to practicing food animal veterinary medicine in the area of need they serve. Each participant must reapply after completing their initial contract, with a maximum total assistance cap of $80,000 per participant. Payment will be applied by the Georgia Student Finance Commission directly to the applicant's designated student loans.

For detailed program information and to apply, please visit https://agr.georgia.gov/vet-education-loan-repayment-program.

Inquiries about the program can be made to: [email protected] or by calling GDA's Policy office at 404-656-3656.

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About the GVELRP

The Georgia Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Program (GVELRP) is administered by the State Veterinary Education Board (the Board) and in partnership with the Georgia Student Finance Authority (GSFA). The Board also receives administrative support from the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

The Georgia General Assembly established the Board and GVELRP to provide financial relief through student loan purchases for veterinarians willing to provide food animal veterinary services in shortage areas around the state.

About the GDA
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is the voice of the state's agriculture community. The department's mission is to provide excellence in services and regulatory functions, to protect and promote agriculture and consumer interests, and to ensure an abundance of safe food and fiber for Georgia, America, and the world by using state-of-the-art technology and a professional workforce.

Find us on Facebook • Follow on Twitter: @GDAFoodSafety •@GeorgiaGrown

For more information, visit www.agr.georgia.gov.

Georgia Department of Agriculture
Tyler Harper, Commissioner
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW
Atlanta, GA 30334