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H H S Department of Health and Human Services
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Health Resources and Services Administration

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NSP Graduates: Transitioning from School to Successful Service Completion webinar

2012 Application & Program Guidance (PDF - 38 pages) for reference – will be updated for 2013

Sign up to receive an e-mail when the 2013 application cycle opens in the spring

2012 At-a-Glance Fact Sheet  (PDF - 1 page)

NURSE Corps Nurse Notes Newsletter

Questions?

GetHelp@hrsa.gov or 

1-800-221-9393 (TTY: 1-877-897-9910) weekdays (except Federal holidays), 8 am to 8 pm ET

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Scholarship Program

Nurse Corps logo - Caring for Communities in NeedNURSE Corps Scholarship Program (formerly Nursing Scholarship Program) enables students accepted or enrolled in a diploma, associate, baccalaureate or graduate nursing programs to complete their nursing education by paying tuition, fees, other education costs and providing a living stipend. 

The NURSE Corps Scholarship Program is a selective program of the U.S. Government that helps alleviate the critical shortage of nurses currently experienced by certain types of health care facilities located in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). Upon graduation, NURSE Corps Scholarship recipients work at these facilities for at least 2 years, earning the same competitive salary and benefits as non-members.

As much as half of the award funds are reserved for students pursuing a master’s level nurse practitioner degree. 

Applications are accepted once each year, usually during the spring.

Benefits

In exchange for a minimum 2-year service commitment at a critical shortage facility located in a HPSA,  the NURSE Corps Scholarship Program pays:

  • tuition
  • eligible fees
  • other reasonable costs, such as books, clinical supplies/instruments and uniforms.
  • monthly stipend ($1,289 for the 2012-2013 school year)

Eligible Applicants

  • U.S. citizens (born or naturalized), nationals or lawful permanent residents
  • enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a professional nursing degree program (baccalaureate, graduate, associate degree, or diploma) at accredited school of nursing located in the U.S.
  • begin classes no later than September 30
  • free from any Federal judgment liens
  • free from existing service commitments
  • not delinquent on a Federal debt

Selection Criteria

Preference is given to qualified applicants with the greatest financial need who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited undergraduate nursing program or Master’s nurse practitioner program as full-time students.

In FY 2011, 395 applicants were selected to receive the scholarship.

Scholarship Recipients

Customer Service Portal for Scholarship Recipients

The rules determining compliance with the NSP are determined by the Application and Program Guidance (APG) that was in effect the year you became a funded scholar.  The service obligation changes regarding employment tiers for 2012 are not applicable to scholars awarded in previous application cycles.  For your convenience, the 2010 and 2011 APG’s are available here:

Invoicing Guidelines for Schools (PDF - 112 KB)

Program Guidance for 2012 New Scholarship Recipients Webinar Presentation (PDF - 432 KB)

Transitioning from School to Successful Service Completion (PPT - 3 MB)