The administration of NESP is being transitioned from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to ISAC (Illinois Student Assistance Commission) during the 2022-23 academic year

The Nursing Education Scholarship Program (NESP) on the Illinois Student Assistance Commission/ISAC website is ready to accept applications from March 1 – April 30, 2023. This is the ISAC weblink: https://www.isac.org/students/during-college/types-of-financial-aid/scholarships/nursing-education-scholarship-program.html

Applications will not be accepted after the submission deadline of April 30, 2023.

Funding for the NESP is from the IDFPR nursing licensure and license renewal fees. The Nursing Education Scholarship Program (NESP) is authorized by the Nursing Education Scholarship Law, 110 ILCS 975/ and has been in place since 1993 with a goal of increasing the number of nurses available for employment in Illinois by offering scholarships to overcome financial barriers to education. The Law states that if there are more applicants than funding available (which has occurred every past application cycle), ISAC will use specific criteria in selecting recipients. The criteria include grade point average (GPA) and the estimated family contribution (EFC) score from an applicant’s FAFSA. The EFC is an indication of an applicant’s need for financial aid to fund higher education. The lower the EFC, the greater need for financial aid.

This program provides assistance to individuals pursuing a certificate in practical nursing, an associate degree in nursing, a hospital-based nursing diploma, a baccalaureate degree in nursing or a graduate degree in nursing. In 2006, the law was modified, expanding the NESP to accept graduate students in nurse educator programs, focusing on programs that prepare Illinois nursing faculty. Scholarship recipients work in direct patient care or to teach nursing in Illinois for a period of time after receipt of the degree.

Each year there are approximately 1,000 qualified applicants per year. Between FY 1993 – FY 2022 approximately scholarships were awarded annually to Illinois nursing students, based on financial need to overcome financial barriers to education and to increase the number of nurses available for employment in Illinois. Between 2016 – 2022, the annual allocation was $2 million and approximately 120 scholarships were awarded annually. In 2023, the annual allocation was increased to $4 million. There were approximately 700 applicants, resulting in 215 recipients for both the undergraduate and graduate nursing education programs. Returning recipients receive priority.

Distribution of scholarships:

At least 40 percent for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree in nursing
At least 30 percent for students pursuing an associate degree or a hospital-based diploma in nursing
At least 20 percent for students pursuing a graduate degree in nursing
At least 10 percent for students pursuing a certificate in practical nursing

Repayment of the scholarship obligation to the State of Illinois may be achieved by:

Working at a medical facility in Illinois as a licensed practical nurse, registered professional nurse, or advanced practice registered nurse, providing direct patient care; or as a nurse educator teaching at an approved institution; the recipient does not need to work in a HPSA (designated healthcare provider shortage areas; the recipient must work in the State of Illinois or
By monetarily repaying the obligation.

***The service obligation must equal the amount of scholarship assistance received. For example, if a recipient received one academic year of assistance, the recipient must work at a medical facility providing direct patient care in Illinois for one year. For individuals who pursued a graduate degree in nursing to be a nurse educator, the recipient must work at an approved institution in Illinois teaching nursing students. The recipient must work two years for each year of scholarship assistance received.

The Nursing Education Scholarship Program (NESP) is being administer by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). Inquiries about the program can be directed to ISAC at isac.studentservices@illinois.gov or 1-800-899-4722.