Bill > HB389

This bill establishes the New Nursing Faculty Grant Program administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) to address nursing faculty shortages in the state. The program will provide $10,000 grants to eligible nursing faculty members who are full-time employees at accredited medical colleges, have been employed for no more than three years, and are Pennsylvania residents. Grant recipients can use the funds for professional expenses, loan repayment, or salary supplements, and grants can be renewed for up to four additional years if the recipient remains continuously employed at the same institution. Accredited medical colleges can nominate nursing faculty members for the grants, with priority given to positions that have been historically difficult to fill. The agency will establish a selection panel to review applications and award grants based on nominations and available funding. The bill requires PHEAA to publish an annual report detailing the number of grant recipients, their demographics, participating colleges, and long-term employment outcomes. An initial appropriation of $2,300,000 is allocated from the General Fund for the program's first fiscal year, and the agency may retain up to 5% of the appropriation for administrative costs. The grants will not be considered taxable income, and the program will take effect 60 days after enactment.

Budget and Finance

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=389