ANCHORAGE — Alaska’s student loan repayment program, SHARP (Supporting Health care Access through loan Re-Payment) is currently accepting applications from health practitioners seeking student loan reimbursement. Applications must be received by Oct. 26, 2012.

Qualified applicants can receive tax-free loan repayment benefits of up to $35,000 per year, depending upon occupation and other factors. The payments will be made by the state directly to the lender.

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services’ program helps recruit and retain health care clinicians in areas of Alaska that have a clinician shortage. Alaska has 2.06 physicians per 1,000 residents, below the national average of 2.38 per 1,000.

Practitioners must work full-time or half-time (prorated) for at least two years for an organization federally recognized as serving an area or population with a health care shortage. There are stiff penalties for not fulfilling the required commitment.

Practitioners eligible to apply include: primary care physicians (M.D. or D.O.); general practice dentists; registered clinical dental hygienists; primary care physician assistants; certified nurse practitioners; psychiatrists; psychologists; clinical social workers; psychiatric nurse specialists; marriage and family therapists; licensed professional counselors; pharmacists; and nurses (RN).

These grants are jointly funded through the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and an equal non-federal match funded by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and other sources.

Applications and eligibility criteria may be downloaded at: https://www.hss.state.ak.us/dph/Healthplanning/sharp/