With about twenty to thirty applicants per slot, the scholarship program is very competitive. The downside of this program is that students would have no decision as to where they would like to practice. Applicants to the FLRP are usually in their last year of medical school or already in their residency. In exchange for loan repayment and a salary, the doctors agree to work for two to four years in a shortage area. For many physicians, this program is a more attractive option because of its flexibility.
Interested applicants can choose their work place from a list of clinics.
The downside of this program is the uncertainty of federal financial support. The amount of loan repayment and salary every year depends on federal funding at the prospective site. Disadvantages aside, the two NHSC programs offer alternatives to carrying loan burdens for the next ten or fifteen years. Physicians generally are not able to study and work at the same time during medical school. So it is better if you can find an easy program that can alleviate the burden in the beginning.