GREENFIELD, Mo. -- Some folks in the Ozarks could get federal stimulus money for working in areas that have a shortage of healthcare providers. It's through a program that's not new, but some of the eligibility requirements are new.

People in primary care, dental, and mental health fields can benefit from the program. They could get $50,000 for two years of work in a Health Professional Shortage Area.

The requirements have recently changed. Rebecca Roller is a clinical psychologist in Greenfield, and is in the first year of her loan repayment program. When she applied for the program through The National Health Service Corps, Dade County just barely qualified as a Mental Health Professional Shortage area, but now communities with a less severe shortage will qualify.

It's because the National Health Service Corp got $300 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"It's new information for a lot of individuals who maybe wanted to apply several years ago, but couldn't and still have outstanding educational loans that would qualify," said Roller.

The more lenient requirements just started June 2 but the funds are first come, first serve. We have a link to the National Health Service Corp Web site below, and Roller, who is an ambassador for the program will be holding a workshop in Springfield to help people learn more about the loan repayment program.

Friday, July 10

8:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m.

The School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute

2885 W. Battlefield Road, Springfield, MO 65807

For more information, click here.

For more information, click here.