Minnesota veterinary loan repayment program accepting applications

Many rural Minnesota areas lack access to veterinary services–especially in food animal medicine. Minnesota’s Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment program was designed to attract young veterinarians to rural practices that serve livestock producers. This year’s application window is open until Jan. 8, 2024.

“More than 30 veterinarians have been helped by this important program,” says Dr. Laura Molgaard, dean of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

The program was launched in 2018 and offers up to $75,000 over five years to those who qualify. Recipients are limited to veterinarians who have graduated within the past three years from the University of Minnesota, who serve five years as a veterinarian in a designated rural area, and spend at least half their time on the care of food animals. Students completing their final year of school at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine with an intent to meet these criteria also are eligible.

“Young veterinarians consider many factors when deciding where to practice and what kind of animals they care for,” Molgaard says. “Loan repayment programs like this help make rural practices that treat food animals more attractive.”

In general, salaries are higher for veterinarians who specialize in small animal medicine. Each year approximately 10-12 U of M students who earn a doctor of veterinary medicine degree choose to practice food animal medicine.

Applications are being accepted until Jan. 8, 2024 at 8 a.m. CST. Visit z.umn.edu/DVMloanrepayment to learn more about the program and access the application form.

Each year the Minnesota Legislature provides $375,000 for the rural veterinarian loan repayment program. Minnesota’s Office of Higher Education coordinates the program.