Although student loans can help students gain the educational qualifications they will need to compete in today’s difficult job market, some individuals may worry that choosing this form of financial aid could leave them with a great deal of debt. However, some college degree candidates may have their loans paid off by their employers or government agencies after they graduate.

Some campus-based and online colleges that offer education degrees partner with high-risk school districts to forgive the student loans of graduates who commit to teach in these areas for a certain period of time.

Prospective veterinarians can benefit from similar programs, as the National Institute of Food and Agriculture recently opened the application process for its Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program. Through the initiative, qualified veterinarians who choose to work in areas that are experiencing shortages in the animal medicine field can have their loans repaid by the government. The institute covers up to $25,000 in educational debt per student per year.

Prospective students who plan to enroll in campus-based or online colleges may want to consider exploring similar financial aid options before they choose a course of study.