This state-mandated study examined the needs of Iowa chiropractic students and the Iowa demand for chiropractic health care in order to determine the feasibility of establishing a chiropractic forgivable loan program. The project used financial aid data and repayment rate data to evaluate the need for financial aid for chiropractic students; staffing levels and projections; labor data; population data; use of chiropractic services by health maintenance organizations; and community recruitment information to assess the demand for chiropractic practitioners. Results of the analysis include: loans account for 82 percent of all student aid to chiropractic students; 98 percent of Palmer College of Chiropractic (Iowa) graduates repay their loans; these students usually borrow about $62,000 for their education; graduating students typically take entry-level positions that pay about $30,000 per year; graduating chiropractic physicians may create actual market demand for their services; 43 states have fewer chiropractic physicians per resident than Iowa; and about 35 Doctors of Chiropractic who graduate from Palmer College of Chiropractic each year locate in Iowa; and job market projections estimate that there are about 29 openings for such doctors each year. The comments of Palmer College of Chiropractic are included. (Contains 12 references.) (JB)