Nurse Faculty Loan Program

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 for 4 years in a nurse faculty position immediately following graduation. Faculty positions may be in any state and at any accredited nursing program (ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP, or PhD). PhD students who are considering postdoctoral fellowships after graduation are still eligible to apply for the NFLP, but they must commit to careers as nurse faculty following the postdoctoral experiences.

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
Expenses specifically covered by another source of funding.
- For example, if you are a RA/TA and get a University tuition award, then you cannot claim University tuition as cost under NFLP. If in doubt, please submit the request for funding and we will help sort out whether it is an eligible request.
Other restrictions may apply.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY TO THE NFLP?

School of Nursing students are eligible to apply if they are committed to assuming a full-time faculty role upon graduation. All applicants will complete a brief essay demonstrating their commitment to the nurse faculty role. 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, students who already have received NFLP support, students who do not have funding from other sources, and students who commit to completing the 9-credit graduate certificate in nursing education. NFLP funds are limited; students will be funded as the amount currently in our account permits.

Eligibility requirements for new and continuing applicants (PhD or DNP):

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 of Nursing (PhD or DNP)
Be and remain in “good academic standing” while enrolled in the advanced nurse academic program
Have no judgment liens entered against him/her based on the default on federal debt, 28 U.S.C. 3201(e).

WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY TO THE NFLP?

NFLP Legislation established that loans now may be made to all students pursuing a course of study in an advanced degree program including postmaster’s certificate students.

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 online.
Complete the required nursing education (NE) coursework. NFLP recipients are obligated to take the required educational components for their degree program.
- Graduate students who participate in the NFLP are required to take three NE courses (9 credit hours), in addition to the curriculum required by their PhD or DNP program.
- Please see the Graduate Certificate | UNC School of Nursing website for more information about the NE courses. It is strongly recommended that NFLP recipients complete the School of Nursing’s Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education, which requires 9 credit hours of NE.
- As of 2016-17, NFLP-eligible doctoral students who have completed NE coursework as part of a prior graduate degree or certification program that meets the course objectives of the NFLP NE courses must submit documentation of that program, and they are encouraged to complete at least two additional education courses (e.g., 6 credit hours) and/or participate in at least one or more mentored teaching experiences (total 3 credit hours) (e.g., Teaching Practicum, Teaching Fellow or Teaching Assistant).
- NFLP doctoral students must meet with Dr. Cheryl Woods Giscombe who will evaluate student requirements on a case-by-case basis. Students who desire to take advanced education courses may enroll in those offered at the SON, the UNC-Chapel School of Education, or under the University Interinstitutional Program.
- NFLP students are encouraged to participate in SON faculty development offerings focused on teaching; participate in programming focused on the faculty role or teaching methods/strategies sponsored by the University Center for Faculty Excellence; or serve as a Teaching Fellow or Teaching Assistant.

NOTE: NFLP recipients who entered the program prior to Fall 2016 are under the requirements they agreed to at that time. Please see Dr. Cheryl Woods Giscombe with any questions.

Follow application procedures for each year subsequent funding is desired (as required by HHS). Funding is contingent upon ongoing federal funding.

Recipients are responsible for registering for coursework or fulfilling other teaching activities that may be required. The SON is not responsible if students neglect to complete required courses or maintain participation in teaching activities.

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.

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