[hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship Program can pay for tuition and fees and provide a monthly stipend.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Applications are rigorous, and nurses must be willing to work full-time in a critical shortage area for two years to pay back the financial aid.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Graduates can apply for positions they choose in critical shortage facilities.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It’s no surprise that higher education is [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/how-much-does-nursing-school-cost/”]not exactly cheap[/hen-ui-link], and [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//how-much-does-nursing-school-cost/”]nursing school[/hen-ui-link] is no exception. The good news is there are ways to help [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/online-nursing-courses-you-can-take-for-free/”]offset these costs[/hen-ui-link] — or even attend nursing school at a greatly reduced cost or no cost at all.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]One way to go to nursing school for free is through the [hen-ui-link href=”https://bhw.hrsa.gov/funding/apply-scholarship/nurse-corps” target=”_blank”]Nurse Corps Scholarship Program[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the program pays tuition, fees, and other educational costs for accepted applicants. In return, students agree to work for two years or more in facilities where the nursing or overall healthcare workforce shortage is particularly acute. It can be challenging to gain acceptance, with a rigorous application process involved.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This historically underutilized program [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/advisory-committees/nursing/meetings/dhcfs-title-viii-venner.pdf” target=”_blank”]more than doubled[/hen-ui-link] participation during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing from 227 accepted students in 2019 to 567 in 2022.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Applications recently closed for 2023, with no dates announced yet for 2024 application deadlines. But now is an ideal time to determine whether you might be a good fit for the program.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Is The Nurse Corps Scholarship Program?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]HRSA is a federal agency that helps provide quality healthcare to the highest-need communities and people, from patients in rural areas to those in need of a transplant.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Nurse Corps scholarship program helps students attend free nursing school to address the nursing shortage in high-need areas or populations.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Graduates work in an HRSA-designated area of high need, including Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA), Maternity Care Target Areas (MCTA), or Medically Underserved Areas/Populations (MUA/P).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing students must meet eligibility requirements to apply for the HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship Program.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The scholarship pays for tuition and fees and offers a monthly stipend. The entire scholarship award is taxable. In exchange, recipients agree to work full-time in a critical shortage facility for two years after graduation. A critical shortage facility is located in, or designated as, an HPSA.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Am I Eligible to Apply for the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Anyone is eligible to apply for the program if they meet the following criteria:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Are a United States citizen (born or naturalized), a national, or a lawful permanent resident[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Are enrolled — or accepted for enrollment — in a professional nursing degree program at an accredited school of nursing in the U.S.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Begin classes no later than September 30[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Have no federal judgment liens[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Have no existing service commitment[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Not be overdue on a federal debt[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Applying to the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program: What to Know[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The application process for 2023 has closed. You can sign up for an [hen-ui-link href=”https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USHHSHRSA/subscriber/new?topic_id=USHHSHRSA_22″ target=”_blank”]email notification[/hen-ui-link] when the 2024 application cycle opens. Preparing the application documentation can take weeks or months, so now is a good time to begin the process.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Before applying, here are some things to consider:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Are you willing and able to move to an underserved area and work in a critical shortage facility full-time for two years after graduating from nursing school?[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Understand that you will be required to sign a contract that you will meet your obligations.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-health-workforce/funding/nurse-corps-scholarship-program-fact-sheet.pdf” target=”_blank”]minimum service obligation[/hen-ui-link] is two years full-time, but students who receive support beyond two years will have a longer service obligation.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Participants in the program can apply for open positions in critical shortage facilities they choose.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]They will have up to nine months from graduation to get a permanent nursing license, accept an employment offer, and begin full-time work.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some participants may be granted part-time status but must still fulfill two years of full-time work.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Students who begin the program but cannot continue can submit a written request to terminate the contract and are obligated to repay all money, including pre-tax tuition and stipends.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The application package consists of an online application and supporting documentation, including:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Eligibility screening [/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Confirmation the student will be full-time[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]General and background information including individual and family background, emergency contacts, and education[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Two professional letters of recommendation:

One academic letter should be from a faculty advisor, department share, or faculty member attesting to the applicant’s qualifications.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]One non-academic letter of recommendation should be from an individual familiar with the applicant’s community or civic activities, especially related to underserved communities.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list]

Required supporting documents may include: [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An authorization to release information form[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Proof of status as a U.S. citizen or U.S. national[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Verification of acceptance or enrollment form in an accredited nursing program [/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Current tuition and fee schedule[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Completed essay question[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Resume or curriculum vitae[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Academic transcript[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list]

If students have an outstanding service obligation to another program, additional documentation may be required.

[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Nurse Corps Scholarship program allows many nurse students to enter a professional career by reducing financial barriers while helping to alleviate the nursing shortage.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The program may be a good option for students who want to become nurses but have limited financial options. It may also be a good fit for nurses who prefer working off their loan obligation in 2-3 years at a critical shortage rather than spending nearly a decade paying back school loans.[/hen-ui-text]