While the Nurse Reinvestment Act, which addresses funding for nursing school as well as recruitment and retention initiatives, waits for Congress to allocate the $250 million needed to implement this new law, its companion, the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program, is now open. Instructions for applying for this financial assistance are on the ANA website (http://www.nursingworld.org):
Attention: All Registered Nurses and graduating nursing students -
1/14/03
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is currently accepting applications from nurses for this financial assistance. The deadline is March 31, 2003.
The Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (NELRP) offers registered nurses substantial assistance to repay educational loans in exchange for service in eligible facilities located in areas experiencing a shortage of nurses.
HRSA prefers that applications be submitted online, although they will accepted paper forms. For more eligilbilty requirements and more info, including shortage areas, and online application go to:
For student nurses, the NRA has broadened the loan repayment program and added scholarships for students already accepted into nursing schools. In order to qualify for these funds, nursing students must commit to working for at least two years in health care facilities deemed to have a critical shortage of nurses.>[/i]
When is a good time to apply for any program designed in assisting with loan repayment? I am in the last leg of pre-rec's, still in desperate need to continue with loans. Do you have any suggestions:confused: :chair:
I looked at the nelrp web page and I thought it sounded great til I read that these loans are also distrubuted based on financial need. I don't know if that is something to worry about(enough funds to go around)but it is something to keep in mind. I did email them about income qualifications but they just directed me back to the site. I couldn't get any info about the average income served, etc.
I was wondering if anyone has heard anything about how this is working? What was the application to payment ratio? Is anyone actually getting money from this? I can't afford $40k in school loans for getting my 2nd degree bsn with this amount of money and was wondering if I can count on this to help me out?
opalmRN
802 Posts
Is the information for students at this address as well? I wasn't able to locate anything abou students.
Any suggestions?
C