Nephrology Training

Loan Mitigation Pilot Program

Purpose

The ASN Loan Mitigation Pilot Program is a five-year pilot program aimed to decrease the loan burden of those entering the field of nephrology, while also increasing interest in the specialty. ASN has committed $2,700,000 to reach those who are considering nephrology as a career.

Year 3 of the program will center on individuals who have experienced personal or family hardship that has affected the need for financial assistance. Up to six candidates will be selected, and each will receive $50,000 towards the repayment of eligible student loans over the course of three years.

Committed to increasing diversity at all levels of the society and the specialty, ASN strongly encourages diverse applicants to the loan mitigation pilot program.

Eligibility

For Year 3 of the program, a candidate:

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must hold an MD, DO, or equivalent medical degree.
• Must be an Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, or Meds-Peds resident OR have graduated from one of these residencies and is applying to a nephrology fellowship. Residencies must be ACGME-accredited.
• Must be applying to a nephrology or pediatric nephrology fellowship at the time of submitting an ASN Loan Mitigation Pilot Program application.
• Must provide proof of matching into an accredited nephrology fellowship that will begin in 2024; this will occur after application has been submitted.
• Must have at least $50,000 in eligible student loan debt; promissory notes from lenders will be required if selected into program.
• Can participate in other loan repayment programs; however, candidates are responsible for checking and adhering to the other program's stipulations.

Full eligibility details can be found in the Application Instructions and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

An applicant who is uncertain of their eligibility should request an advisory opinion from ASN before completing an application. Please email workforce@asn-online.org.

Application and Document Formatting

The ASN Loan Mitigation Pilot Program application opens on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 and closes on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. EDT.

An application cannot be edited after submission. Please contact workforce@asn-online.org should you have any questions while completing the application.

A complete application will include the following:

1. Personal information page
2. Training information page
3. Application documents page, which requires the upload of
   1. Personal statement - written portion
      1. Template download
   2. Personal statement - video portion
      1. A two-minute video recording uploaded to a hosting site (i.e. YouTube) answering the following prompt:
         Share something unique about yourself or describe a situation that has shaped you as a person with the selection committee. We are looking to gauge who candidates are outside of their CVs. Do not include topics that you have covered in your personal statement.
4. References page
   1. Three professional references will be required (name and email address), one of which must be a residency Training Program Director.
   2. ASN will contact your references for letters of support.

Evaluation Criteria and Process

The ASN Loan Mitigation Pilot Program Task Force will complete a holistic review of each eligible applicant, taking into account the responses provided in the personal statement, video, and letters of support.

The review will be a dual-phase process:

1. Applicants who meet eligibility requirements will undergo the first stage of review as described above.
2. In late 2023/early 2024, selected candidates will be contacted and asked to provide proof of:
   1. Matching into an accredited nephrology or pediatric nephrology fellowship program.
   2. Eligible student loans in the form of a promissory note.

The application and review timeline is as follows:

• Application opens: August 8, 2023
• Application closes: September 6, 2023
• Review: September 2023 - October 2023
• Conditional selection notifications*: December 2023
• Selection confirmation notifications**: Early 2024

* Acceptance conditional on matching into nephrology or pediatric nephrology fellowship program.
** Selection confirmation to be sent after candidate confirms they matched into fellowship program.

Contact

Please contact ASN with any questions at (202) 640-4660 or workforce@asn-online.org.