Clasp News
New $100M+ Investment Supports Optometry and Other Clinical Students Through Loan Repayment
A coalition of leading U.S. health systems has committed more than $100 million in student loan repayment to support the next generation of healthcare professionals—including students in optometry and other advanced-degree fields. This national effort is being led by Clasp, a first-of-its-kind recruitment platform that helps employers build early, long-term relationships with students in high-demand roles.
Rather than offering short-term sign-on bonuses, participating health systems are investing in long-term retention: students receive early job offers and structured monthly loan repayment tied directly to continued employment. The approach has already been adopted by hospitals, specialty clinics, and national vision care providers seeking to expand their workforce pipelines.
Early data show strong results: retention gains as high as 94%, student satisfaction above 90%, and cost savings in the millions by reducing turnover and contract labor dependence.
Clasp also recently published the School Deserts Index, a national report ranking U.S. states by their access to clinical training programs. This data underscores the urgency of employer investment in educational access and student support.
Learn more at www.clasp.com