Through the Arkansas Technical Careers Student Loan Forgiveness Program, graduates can get up to $2,500 per year for four years to repay their loans. You can find all the details about the program at Dwe.arkansas.gov/LoanForgiveness/atcslfp.htm. To qualify, students must seek degrees in one of three fields: advanced manufacturing, computer/information technology or biomedical/biotechnology. Students can apply for loan forgiveness at any time within six months of completing those programs.

After graduation, one year of full-time employment is required for each year of loan forgiveness. The employment must be in Arkansas and must be in the field in which you received your training. For example, don’t get an engineering degree and decide you really want to be an actor. If you do, you’ll be paying back your own loan.

To apply for the program, students must do the following:

1. Choose the right degree. Students can check with their schools’ financial aid offices to see if the degrees they’re earning are eligible for reimbursement.

2. Get a student loan from a qualified lender.

3. Apply. Application forms are available by calling the Arkansas Department of Workforce Education at (501) 682-1699.

4. Get a degree, and get a job. Students must apply for loan forgiveness within six months of receiving their degree or certificate.

Careers That Qualify for Loan Forgiveness

Advanced Manufacturing

Jobs in this field involve the production, installation, maintenance and repair of products made by the state’s advanced manufacturing companies, plants and industries. Employees entering this field must have a strong background in math and science. Careers typically include maintenance repairers, industrial mechanics, maintenance personnel and machinists for computer-assisted production manufacturing and industrial engineers, and engineering technicians.

Computer/Information Technology

Some IT jobs are more mechanical, focusing on building, installing or maintaining computers, computer systems and networks, while others are more electronically based and involve writing, installing and maintaining software. Solid foundations in math and science are necessary. Typical job titles are systems analysts, computer engineers and techs, database administrators, and computer support specialists.

Biomedical/Biotechnology

Applying engineering to medical research and the development of medical equipment, employees in these fields must have strong backgrounds in engineering and applied science. Jobs include electro-medical and biomedical repairers.