Bill > S297

This bill establishes the Nursing Fellows Program at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) to recruit, prepare, and support nursing students through a comprehensive forgivable loan system. The program will provide financial assistance to students pursuing Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing Education degrees, with the goal of addressing nursing shortages in North Carolina. Students can receive up to $5,000 per semester or $2,500 per summer session, with loan forgiveness contingent on working as a qualifying nurse or nurse instructor in the state. The State Education Assistance Authority will administer the program in collaboration with WSSU's Dean of the School of Health Sciences, who will select recipients based on stringent criteria including grade point averages, assessments, experience, and commitment to serving in North Carolina. A dedicated Trust Fund will support the program, with $1.4 million appropriated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, and an additional $100,000 allocated for mentoring, coaching, and curriculum support services. Recipients can have their loans forgiven by working one year in a qualifying nursing role for each one-third of the total loan amount, with provisions for loan forgiveness in cases of death or permanent disability. The program aims to strategically recruit nurses in regions with the greatest need and provide comprehensive support to strengthen the state's nursing workforce.

Budget and Finance

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S297