Careers In Nursing

Nursing Programs

Several programs are available to assist you in obtaining your career goals in nursing. In addition to the programs listed below, please be sure to read about North Carolina's program for careers in Health, Science and Math.

Nurse Education Scholarship-Loan Program (NESLP)

This program was first funded by the 1989 North Carolina General Assembly as part of a series of initiatives designed to reduce the shortage of practicing nurses in North Carolina. NESLP is administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority.

NESLP awards are available through the financial aid offices of North Carolina colleges and universities that offer nurse education programs which prepare students for licensure in North Carolina as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Registered Nurse (RN). Awards are based upon financial need and other factors such as academic performance.

NESLP awards range from $400 to $5,000, depending upon the student's demonstrated financial need, cost of instruction, other financial assistance, and the amount of funding available through NESLP. The maximum award for students enrolled in Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and Practical Nurse Education (LPN) programs is $3,000. The maximum award for students enrolled in a baccalaureate (BSN) program is $5,000.

Contact the financial aid office at the participating NC college or university offering the level of nurse education instruction desired. Recipients must execute a promissory note.

Recipient enters into a contract with the State of North Carolina to work full time as a licensed nurse in North Carolina. A minimum of six months consecutive full-time employment with one employer is required to qualify for service cancellation. Loans not repaid through service must be repaid in cash. The interest rate for cash repayment is 10% from the date of disbursement. Student has up to seven years to repay loan in service or ten years to repay loan in cash.

Nurse Scholars Program (Undergraduate Program)

Created by the 1989 General Assembly, this program was designed to address the shortage of trained nurses practicing in North Carolina. The first recipients were funded for the 1990-91 academic year. NSP is administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority.

The Nurse Scholars Program is a competitive, merit-based scholarship/loan program available to students who have chosen to enter the nursing profession. An 11-member Nurse Scholars Commission selects recipients for the award on the basis of superior academics, leadership potential, and desire to practice nursing on a full-time basis in North Carolina. Recipients must be NC residents for tuition purposes. Students must plan to enter a nursing program at one of the North Carolina colleges, universities, or hospitals that offer nurse education programs which prepare students for licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). Financial need is not a criterion.

The amount of the award is based upon the type of nurse education sought. Candidates for the Associate Degree in Nursing will receive $3,000 per year; for the Diploma in Nursing, $3,000; and for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, $5,000 or $2,500 per year for part time RN-to-BSN students. The NSP scholarship/loan is renewable, subject to legislative funding, up to three years. Up to 400 NSP scholarships/loans are awarded annually.

The NSP uses an electronic application which may be found at the web site CFNC.org/NSP. To apply, please click on the “Apply Now” link located under the Related Links section of the page.

The NSP scholarship/loan recipient enters into a contract with the State of North Carolina to work full time as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina. Twelve months of service as a full-time nurse cancels one year of NSP funding support received. Service repayment must be completed within seven years from graduation. The interest rate for cash repayment is 10% and cash repayment must be repaid within ten years from graduation.