“Higher education and healthcare are facing a shared challenge: how to prepare the next generation of clinicians without placing unsustainable financial burdens on students,” said Sam Maron, founder of Scholars Network.

 “This partnership with Quinnipiac University reflects a forward-thinking approach that connects education directly to employment, reduces student debt, and helps health systems build the workforce they urgently need. It’s a model designed not just to support students, but to strengthen the entire healthcare ecosystem.”
 
Students apply to work at a participating health system in the network and if accepted, receive generous student loan repayment support in exchange for a post-graduation work commitment. Participating healthcare providers in New England are expanding and currently include Women & Infants Hospital and Southcoast Health. There are several other options in Pennsylvania, New York, and North Carolina.
 
Universities deliver academic and clinical training, while employers provide loan repayment funding, mentorship, and a direct line to employment. This alignment ensures students can pursue and complete their education with significantly less debt, while entering the workforce in roles that are already secured and aligned with health system needs.
 
“Quinnipiac is committed to preparing highly skilled healthcare professionals while helping students pursue those careers with greater financial confidence,” said Quinnipiac Provost Debra Leibowitz. “By joining Scholars Network, we can connect students with employer-supported loan repayment opportunities and health systems that are ready to invest in their future.”
 
Participating Quinnipiac programs include nursing, medical imaging, and physical therapy.
 
Quinnipiac’s participation comes at a time when institutions are seeking new, innovative ways to attract and retain students in healthcare fields while addressing workforce shortages. Since launching the partnership, the university has already begun generating interest among students, demonstrating early momentum for a model that offers both financial relief and clear career pathways.
 
This partnership underscores a growing shift in higher education toward models that are more aligned with workforce needs, more responsive to student financial realities, and more effective at delivering long-term outcomes.
 
Do you know someone who might be interested in Quinnipiac’s Scholars Network? Click here for more information.