Navigating the ISAC Nursing Scholarship: Requirements and Application Deadlines

For aspiring nurses in Illinois, the financial burden of education can be a significant hurdle. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) offers several programs to alleviate these costs, including the Nursing Education Scholarship Program (NESP). This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the NESP and other relevant scholarships, focusing on eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other key details.

The Nursing Education Scholarship Program (NESP)

Authorized by the Nursing Education Scholarship Law (110 ILCS 975/), the NESP has been instrumental since 1993 in increasing the number of nurses available for employment in Illinois. The program specifically targets financial barriers to education by offering scholarships to eligible students. Funding for the NESP comes from nursing licensure and license renewal fees collected by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

Program Goals and Impact

The primary goal of the Nursing Education Scholarship Program is to increase the number of nurses available for employment in Illinois by offering scholarships to overcome financial barriers to education. Each year, the program receives approximately 1,000 qualified applicants. From fiscal year 1993 to 2022, scholarships were awarded annually to Illinois nursing students based on financial need. Between 2016 and 2022, the annual allocation was $2 million, which allowed for approximately 120 scholarships to be awarded each year.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the NESP, applicants must meet several criteria:

Enrollment: Be enrolled in or accepted for admission to a nursing program in Illinois that is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation or the Illinois Board of Higher Education. A list of approved schools can be found on the Illinois Approved Nursing Education Programs website.
Citizenship: Be a citizen or an eligible non-citizen, or meet the "undocumented student" criteria of the RISE Act.
Residency: Be an Illinois resident.
Financial Need: Demonstrate financial need.
Academic Standing: Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Current recipients requesting a scholarship renewal receive preference.
Satisfactory Progress: Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Loan Status: Establish satisfactory repayment arrangements if you are in default on any federal student loan.
Agreement: Sign an Application/Work Agreement/Promissory Note promising to fulfill the employment commitment or repay funds received plus interest.

Application Process and Deadline

The application submission period for the NESP is typically from March 1st through April 30th. For example, the application submission period was March 1, 2021, through April 30, 2021.

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Applicants must complete the online application process and a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) on or before the ISAC-established date.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the following documents:

Your latest official transcripts which indicate your cumulative grade point average. Transcripts must be received by IDPH directly from the school or have been issued to the applicant in a sealed envelope, which shall remain sealed until its arrival at IDPH. Transcripts must include the institution's official seal, the date the transcript was issued, and the registrar's signature. Transcripts that do not conform to these requirements will not be accepted.
Your current Student Aid Report (SAR) from your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that indicates your Estimated Financial Contribution (EFC).

Scholarship Coverage

The scholarship pays for coursework within the nursing curriculum for which the recipient is funded; it does not pay for pre-requisite coursework. The number of years a recipient is eligible to receive funding is based on the certificate, diploma, or degree being pursued. Scholarship awards for part-time students are determined by applying the ratio of part-time enrollment to full-time enrollment to the average per-term scholarship amount for a student in the same nursing degree category. Part-time students must be enrolled for at least one-third of the number of hours required per term by a school for its full-time students.

Employment Obligation

Prior to receiving scholarship funding for any academic year, the recipient must sign a grant agreement with the State of Illinois. The agreement states that the recipient agrees to work at a medical facility in Illinois providing direct patient care as a licensed practical nurse, registered professional nurse, or advanced practice registered nurse. Following graduation and licensing, a recipient is required to be employed on a full-time or a part-time basis.

For individuals who pursued a certificate in practical nursing, an associate degree in nursing, a hospital-based diploma in nursing, a baccalaureate degree in nursing, or a graduate degree in nursing to become an advanced practice registered nurse, the recipient must work at a medical facility in Illinois providing direct patient care. 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.

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Full-time employment means providing direct patient care or working as a nurse educator for 35 hours or more per week for weekday shifts or at least 24 hours per weekend shift. 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.

Alternatives to Fulfilling the Obligation

There are circumstances under which a recipient may not be required to fulfill the work obligation, including:

Enlisting for up to four years in military service, before or after graduation, and before completion of the obligation.
Providing documentation of a physical or mental health disability that results in the recipient’s temporary inability to fulfill the obligation.
Receiving another NESP scholarship to pursue a higher nursing degree.

Monetary Repayment

A recipient who fails to meet any term(s) of the grant agreement is in default and will be required to monetarily repay the scholarship to IDPH. Repayment is as follows: for each year not met by the nursing employment or nurse educator employment obligation, recipient will repay IDPH the total amount of scholarship funds received plus 7 percent interest per year on the unpaid balance.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities in Illinois

Besides the NESP, several other scholarship and grant programs are available to Illinois students pursuing higher education, including those in nursing.

Lewis and Clark Community College Scholarships

Lewis and Clark Community College and the Lewis and Clark Community College Foundation together award more than 175 scholarships each academic year for a total value of nearly $600,000. Scholarships vary in amount, but almost half are for full tuition and fees, approximately a $4,500 value for a fulltime student. The scholarships administered by the college are guided by the philosophy that scholarships will be distributed to qualified students as widely as possible. All students are encouraged to apply for a scholarship. Scholarships established by private donors and L&C Trustees exist for students of all ages, abilities, levels of academic standing and full or part- time enrollment status. Students complete one online form. The online application automatically matches scholarships to qualifying applicants. The application process begins each October, with the application deadline in April. Students are notified in May of their awards for the upcoming academic year.

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Calvin and Juanita Ritchey Whitlock Education Foundation

Multiple scholarships are available for Jersey County residents who can show residency in Jersey County at their birth and graduation from Jersey Community High School, Southwestern High School, or successful completion of an Illinois High School Diploma with a score of 2500 or higher on the Illinois High School Diploma test. Applicants must have a GPA of at least 2.0, and be enrolled in 12 or more credit hours. Applicants may receive no more than $3,000 in scholarship funds for any given school year. The number of awards granted annually will vary based upon available funds.

Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant

Basically limited to active NG members who have served at least one year in the Illinois National Guard, but check eligibility details. This grant pays for tuition and activity fees only. Student must be enrolled at least half-time (6 hours or more) each semester. Online applications are available at www.isac.org. Students cannot use ISAC MAP if eligible for the IL National Guard Grant. A new application is required to establish your eligibility each academic year.

IVG (Illinois Veteran Grant) Program

Armed Forces who meets the eligibility requirements is considered a qualified applicant for the IVG Program, along with Illinois veterans or members of the U. S. Armed Forces. This grant pays tuition and some fees. Usage for the grant is computed on a point system with a 120 unit maximum. One hundred twenty (120) units are equivalent to four academic years of full-time enrollment. IVG does not cover course fees, lab fees, or late fees. Online applications are available at www.isac.org.

Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program

Citizen or an eligible non citizen or meet the “undocumented student” criteria of the RISE Act; be a member of the incumbent workforce, currently working or having worked in the early childhood field; be enrolled or accepted for enrollment on a full- or part-time basis at the undergraduate level; maintain satisfactory academic progress as established by your college; must complete the online application process and a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) by the ISAC-established date; must not be in default on any federal student loan, nor owe a refund on any State or federal grant.

Madison County Economic Development Scholarship

A $4,000 scholarship for the academic year ($2,000 for fall and $2,000 for spring) to the applicant(s) who demonstrate financial need (as defined by the Madison County Economic Development), who have lived the majority of their life in Madison County, and meet academic standards. This scholarship will first be applied to unpaid balances in the following order: Tuition and fees, books and supplies. Any unused amounts will be disbursed to the student. L&C Financial Aid Committee recommends the top applicants and the Madison County Board selects the recipient(s). This scholarship is not automatically renewed each academic year. Students need to reapply. Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office.

Reserve Officer Training Commission (ROTC) Scholarship

Three annual awards are available to students who transfer from Lewis and Clark Community College to a senior state university or college. Contact the ROTC office at the school to which you are transferring. For full consideration, the L&C Financial Aid Office must receive a nomination from your college or university.

Other avenues for financial aid

Students should also explore other avenues for financial aid, such as:

Institutional Student Employment: This is an employment program which is not based on financial need and which requires a student to be enrolled in at least one credit hour in the term for which work is performed.
WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) funding: WIOA funding is county-based assistance for persons who are underemployed, unemployed, under-skilled or unskilled and who want to get skills training. WIOA entities also certify Dislocated Worker status for Title IV and ISAC aid applicants.
Employer Assistance: Many local employers will also provide educational assistance to employees or their dependents through grants, scholarships, tuition reimbursements, etc. Contact your employer for details. Please be advised that if you live out of L&C’s district, but work 35 hours per week at an employer within the district, you may be eligible for the lower in district tuition rate.
Educational Opportunity Center (EOC): The EOC will help adult students research and apply for college admissions, scholarships, financial aid, and helps re-establish aid eligibility for those students with defaulted loans. These services are not available to those who are eligible for the L&C Talent Search Program.
Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS): The DORS program may assist qualified individuals with the cost of education.
St. Post-Master of Social Work: School Social Work Scholarship Program: A state program for graduate students who have a master's degree in social work who wish to obtain an Illinois Professional Educator License with an Endorsement in School Social Work.
Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois: A partnership between the Golden Apple foundation and the state of Illinois which provides awards for students with the promise and drive to be excellent teachers in high-need schools. who plan to teach Special Education in Illinois.
SETTW (Student Education Tuition Waiver): Institutional scholarships, such as the Jesse W. Fell, Redbird Academic, and Transfer Student Scholarship, will be removed for new recipients beginning Fall 2025. If awarded the SETTW, recipients will have the option to choose between the waiver or the institutional scholarship. students who plan to teach in Illinois with at least a 30% minority enrollment.

Important Considerations

Stacking Scholarships: Note: A recipient of a scholarship or award that pays for tuition and fees only cannot receive a tuition reimbursement if a second scholarship or award is also received that pays tuition and fees only. For example, the recipient may not receive a tuition reimbursement from the ISAC MAP award if an L&C award has been granted. If a MAP grant is awarded, tuition will be charged to MAP and the scholarship or award will be reimbursed. There are some exceptions. Students may also receive Federal Pell Grants if they are receiving a L&C, L&C Foundation, or a private donor scholarship because Pell Grants can be used for other education expenses. Scholarship recipients may also be eligible for Federal Work Study and student loans.
Tuition Waivers: L&C tuition waivers cannot be used to pay tuition at another college for cooperative or concurrent enrollment programs.

Staying Informed

L&C posts and distributes new scholarship information around campus as it is received. Information is also forwarded to the L&C student radio station, WLCA, and to the L&C student newspaper, The Bridge, as well as to local newspapers. Students should also do their own research on scholarships offered by foundations, religious organizations, fraternities or sororities, community clubs, and professional organizations. The internet is a great resource to search for scholarship information.

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