ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS UNTIL THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26, 7:30 PM ET
Application Technical Assistance Conference Calls
January 29, 2 to 4 pm ET and February 12, 7:30 to 9:30 pm ET
Phone: 1-888-957-9878 | Passcode: 5256022
- Before You Apply
Applications are accepted once each year. Before you apply, please read the annually updated Application and Program Guidance (PDF – 41 pages). The application includes a contract that obligates you to serve two-years at the Critical Shortage Facility listed in your application if you are selected to participate in the program. If you are selected and you do not fulfill that obligation, you will face serious financial consequences.
- About The Program
NURSE Corps members help to create healthy communities in poor urban and rural areas as they build their own fulfilling and productive careers.
NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program sets registered nurses (including advanced practice registered nurses and nursing faculty) on a rewarding career path while paying off 60 percent of their unpaid nursing student loans in just 2 years – plus an additional 25 percent of the original balance for an optional third year.
In return, NURSE Corps members fulfilling a service obligation at one of the thousands of eligible nonprofit hospitals, clinics, nursing schools and other facilities located in designated mental health or primary medical care Health Professional Shortage Areas across the U.S.
NURSE Corps members enjoy the same competitive pay and benefits negotiated with their employer as do non-members.
- Am I Eligible
To be eligible to apply, you must be a licensed registered nurse (nurse practitioners and other advanced practice nurses are encouraged to apply) or nurse faculty, have completed your training (diploma, associate, baccalaureate or graduate), and be employed full time (at least 32 hours per week) at an eligible critical shortage facility.
You must be a U.S. citizen (born or naturalized) or National and Lawful Permanent Resident and your education must be from an accredited school of nursing located in a U.S. State.
Funding preference is based on your financial need and the facility where you work.
- What Are Critical Shortage Facilities
Nurse Corps members work at many different types of Critical Shortage Facilities.
For all other registered nurses, including advanced practice nurses, any public or private not-for-profit private Critical Shortage Facility (facilities marked with * receive funding preference) located in a designated mental health or primary medical care Health Professional Shortage Area, and an eligible place of employment for Nurse Corps members:
- CLINICS – Federally Qualified Health Center*, Indian Health Service Health Center*, Native Hawaiian Health Center*, Rural Health Clinic*, Public Health Clinic*
- HOSPITALS – Any public* or private nonprofit acute care or rehabilitation hospital, including Disproportionate Share Hospitals*, Critical Access Hospitals* and Non-Disproportionate Share Hospitals*
- INPATIENT NURSING FACILITIES – Skilled nursing facility*, nursing home
- OUTPATIENT FACILITIES – Ambulatory surgical center
- SERVICE PROVIDERS – Home health agency, hospice, State or local public health or human services department*
- Eligible Schools For Nursing
A NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program nurse faculty participant is required to work as nurse faculty at an accredited public or private non-profit school of nursing. The NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program considers a school of nursing to be accredited if it is accredited by a national or regional nurse education accrediting agency or state approval agency recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants working at schools of nursing where at least half of the enrolled students come from disadvantaged backgrounds receive funding preference.
