Rochester Regional Health To Help With Student Loan Support Program

Rochester Regional Health is offering help with paying off student loans for workers in some high-demand healthcare fields. It comes amid changes to federal student loan policies that took effect on July 1, including an end to the SAVE Plan repayment option, fewer payment options for Parent PLUS Loans, and changes to graduate student loan caps. Rochester Regional Health is offering up to $180,000 in loan payment through CLASP, a nonprofit organization. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists may get up to $180,000 to pay off student loans. In addition, surgical tech workers can get up to $25,000, and radiologic tech workers can get up to $30,000.

CLASP is accepting applications for students graduating in 2026, 2027 or 2028. Hospital leadership says the program will improve patient care by supporting employee retention. Rochester Regional Health is hopeful that the program will attract new graduates and cut down on open positions, amid a nationwide shortage in healthcare workers.

How to apply for loan support?

Students apply for free and provide their student loan details to CLASP, but they must secure a job from a participating employer like Rochester Regional Health to receive the loan payback. You can learn more about applying here.

President Donald Trump’s July 2025 tax and spending cuts bill changed the amounts that graduate students can borrow for various programs, but his administration revised that plan this week in line with a judge’s order. That means students pursuing graduate degrees in nursing, physical therapy and several other fields will be eligible to take out higher federal student loan amounts.

Under the new rule, programs designated as professional degrees face federal student loan caps of $200,000, while other graduate programs are capped at $100,000. Previously, graduate students had been able to take out federal loans up to the full cost of their degree.

Source: WHEC-TV