Bill > H4782

This bill establishes the Graduate Nursing Scholarship and Forgivable Loan Program to address primary care shortages in underserved areas of South Carolina by providing financial assistance to nursing students pursuing graduate degrees. The program will be administered by the South Carolina Department of Health, offering scholarships and loans of up to $10,000 per academic year for up to four years to students who are legal residents of South Carolina and have been accepted into accredited graduate nursing programs. Recipients must commit to working as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) or graduate-prepared nurses in designated nursing shortage areas for one year of service for each year of funding received, with full forgiveness granted after three years of service for four-year awards. If recipients fail to fulfill their service obligation without justifiable cause, they may be required to repay the total amount received plus interest, with potential penalties up to three times the original amount. The program aims to increase the number of graduate-level nurses in critical healthcare settings, particularly in rural and underserved communities, by providing financial support and incentivizing service in areas with significant healthcare provider shortages.

Education

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=4782&session=126&summary=B