Overview The Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) is a federally funded loan program administered by the Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA). Its purpose is to increase the number of nursing faculty. The NFLP offers significant loan forgiveness to students in Master’s and Doctoral nursing programs who: undergo specified educational coursework relevant to the nurse faculty role, and commit to work full-time as faculty in nursing programs upon graduation. Academic Year 2022 - 2023 Students must apply each academic year for NFLP support What is the NFLP? The Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) is a federal program designed to increase the number of nursing students who pursue careers as full-time faculty teaching in schools of nursing. Full-time or part-time graduate students who plan careers as nurse faculty are eligible to apply and may be eligible for up to 5 years of financial support (contingent upon ongoing federal funding and therefore subject to change). Up to 85% of the total loan amount will be forgiven if the graduate works full time or part-time (equivalent to a full-time position) for 4 years in a nurse faculty position within 12 months following graduation. Faculty positions may be in any state and at any accredited nursing program (ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP, or PhD).The program director will make the determination if the part-time faculty positions are eligible for the loan cancellation. What expenses does the NFLP cover? NFLP covers the cost of tuition, books, fees, lab expenses and other reasonable educational expenses. Awards may be renewable for a maximum of five years but this is contingent upon ongoing federal funding and therefore subject to change. The NFLP loan may not exceed $35,500 per student for any academic period. The NFLP student borrower must complete the specified education component(s) for the advanced nursing degree program prior to graduating from the program. Funding cannot be approved for the following: General living expenses (room, board, personal expenses) Family health insurance Student transportation costs Other restrictions may apply. Who is eligible to apply to the NFLP? Graduate Program Nursing students are eligible to apply if they are committed to assuming a full-time faculty role upon graduation. NLFP loans should be made on a first-come-first-serve basis for an academic year until funds are expended. Priority will be given to full-time students and students who already have received NFLP support and those who do not have funding from other sources. Eligibility requirements for new and continuing applicants: Be a U.S. citizen or national of the U.S, or a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. and its territories Be enrolled as a student in good standing in an advanced nurse academic program at the School (MSN or DNP) Be and remain in “good academic standing” while enrolled in the Graduate Nursing Program; Have no judgment liens entered against him/her based on the default on a Federal debt, 28 U.S.C. 3201(e); Maintain enrollment for a minimum of 6 credits per semester ( fall, spring and summer) Encourage to enroll in one nursing education course Who is not eligible to apply to the NFLP? The NFLP Legislation established that loans may be made to students pursuing a course of study in an advanced degree program. Students enrolled in the following programs are ineligible for NFLP support: Postmaster’s certificate students: Postmaster’s certificate programs do not meet the requirements as a degree program. What are the responsibilities of NFLP recipients? If you are approved to receive monies from the NFLP, you must: Sign a promissory note and a Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. Complete the required nursing education coursework. NFLP recipients are obligated to take the required educational component for their degree program. MSN students are required to take 35 credits. A student needs to be matriculated and enrolled in either MSN or DNP program, taking 6 credits per semester. The University must stop disbursement if the borrower: fails to meet the above requirements; withdraws from the institution; fails to meet the academic standards of the institution; or requests to terminate participation in the NFLP program. How many students will be eligible for the NFLP? Awards will cover as many qualified students as possible until funding is depleted. Other Questions? Contact:Dr. Cheryl Hollema, Associate Professor and Director Graduate Nursing Programs 973-720-3215 hollemac@wpunj.edu Role of the Graduate Nursing Program, Office of Financial Aid and Office of Business Services The Graduate Program in Nursing, in collaboration with the Office of Financial Aid jointly administers the NFLP at William Paterson University. The Graduate Program in Nursing selects NFLP recipients, authorizes the maximum amount of the loan and monitors recipients’ adherence to the academic plan required of NFLP recipients. The Office of Financial Aid along with the Office of Business Services administers the disbursement of the loan, monitors compliance with federal funding financial and documentation requirements, and addresses loan repayment post-graduation. Amount of Loan Participating schools make NFLP loans from the loan fund to eligible graduate (master’s and doctoral) nursing students to complete the nursing education program. Students may receive NFLP loans up to $35,500 per year academic year for a maximum of five years to support the cost of tuition, fees, books, laboratory expenses and other reasonable education expenses. Following graduation from the nursing program, the nursing school will cancel up to 85 percent of the loan principal and interest in exchange for the loan recipient’s service as a full-time or part-time nursing faculty positions that are equivalent of a full-time faculty position as determined by the Graduate Director at a school of nursing with a certain percentage canceled each year for up to four years. The loan cancellation over the four-year period is as follows: 20 percent of the principal and interest may be canceled upon completion of each of the first, second, and third years of full time employment, which, after the three year period, totals 60 percent, followed by the cancellation of 25 percent of the principal and interest upon completion of the fourth year of full-time employment as a faculty member in an accredited school of nursing. Repayment on the remaining 15 percent of the loan balance is postponed during the cancellation period. NFLP loans are repayable and/or canceled over a ten-year repayment period. NFLP loans accrue interest at a rate of three percent per annum for loan recipients who establish employment as nurse faculty. Criteria For NFLP Eligibility & Continuation of Funding The NFLP guidelines specify that in making funding decisions, priority is granted to those who have already received NFLP support. The eligibility criteria for new applicants and continuing applicants are: 1. Enrollment in MSN or DNP (Nursing) program; 2. Continuous enrollment status 3. At least six credits for each semester for MSN students and full-time for DNP students when NFLP monies are received 4. Agreement to complete the prescribed educational course sequences while enrolled in the program 5. Maintenance of minimum 3.0 term and cumulative GPA; 6. A completed, up-to-date FAFSA on file with Office of Financial Aid; 7. Commitment to assuming a full-time faculty position in a nursing program Schools must ensure that students meet the eligibility criteria to receive NFLP loans. Schools must verify the accuracy of the student applicant’s information to determine eligibility. Citizenship Status A student applicant must be a citizen or national of the United States, or a lawful permanent resident of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa or the Trust Territory of the Pacific. A student who is in the United States on a student or visitor's visa is not eligible for a NFLP loan. Deadline dates for NFLP loan applications are: December 1st - Spring Semester August 1st - Fall Semester April 1st Summer Semester If you are interested in applying for the Nurse Faculty Loan Program, please fill out the NFLP application and return to: Dr. Cheryl Hollema, DNP, RN, APN Director, Graduate Nursing Program William Paterson University of NJ300 Pompton Road University Hall 302 Wayne, New Jersey 07470 Original Completed applications must be sent to Judy Tsang, Student Accounts, College Hall, room 320 and a copy to the Graduate Nursing Office - University Hall 302. If you have any additional questions regarding the Nurse Faculty Loan Program, please contact Jami Jennings, Program Assistant at 973-720-3511 or by email at jenningsj3@wpunj.edu.
