Nurse Faculty Loan Program

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provides Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) funds to nursing schools to help graduate students who plan to become nursing faculty upon graduation. The loan can be used for tuition, fees, books, and other educational supplies, but not living expenses. It is not necessary for students to contact HRSA. Loan applications are submitted directly to the School. UW disburses the funds after approval. There is no application deadline; however funds are limited and determined annually.

Funding varies based upon each student’s educational expenses up to $35,000 per year, as determined by the UW Office of Student Financial Aid. Up to 85% of the total loan amount is canceled if the borrower maintains eligible employment for the first four years after graduation. Borrowers will then have six years to repay the remaining 15% of the principal balance, plus interest (with a 3% interest rate). The interest rate will revert to the prevailing market rate (6.8% in 2020) if the borrower does not complete the degree or does not meet the four-year faculty employment requirement.

Applicants must be a Master’s, DNP, or PhD student in good standing, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and plan to teach in a faculty role upon graduation. Completion of the FAFSA is required to verify citizenship/residency.

Employment criteria for loan cancellation

  1. Employment as a full-time faculty member at an accredited school of nursing or;
  2. employment as a part-time faculty member at an accredited school of nursing in combination with another part-time faculty position or part-time clinical preceptor/educator position affiliated with an accredited school of nursing that together equates to full-time employment or;
  3. designation of nurse faculty in a joint nurse faculty appointment serving as full-time advanced practice registered nurse preceptor for an accredited school of nursing, within an academic-practice partnership framework.

For employment eligibility questions, email the UW School of Nursing Scholarship Office at sonscholarships@uw.edu.

Enrollment eligibility

  • Be a student in the master of nursing program with a credit load of 5 credits.
  • Complete the FAFSA: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid with no judgment liens entered against him/her based on the default on a federal debt and be a citizen or national of the U.S. or a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. and its territories.
  • Maintain “good academic standing” while enrolled in the advanced nurse education program.
  • Maintain enrollment for a minimum of two consecutive terms (quarters or semesters) during an academic year. Students enrolled in the last year of the program are not required to enroll for two terms (quarters or semesters) if program requirements are met.)

Application request

The NFLP process begins in early summer and the loan is processed in September. Students who would like to borrow an NFLP loan should complete the following steps:

  • Complete the FAFSA. (UW Federal Code 003798).
  • Send a message with the subject line “Request for NFLP application” to cesmith3@uw.edu. A loan application and instructions will then be returned to you after the UW Office of Student Financial Aid determines the eligible loan amount.
  • Complete the NFLP application and return it as instructed. After a final review, the application will then be sent to UW Student Fiscal Services for processing.
  • Sign the promissory note sent by UW Fiscal Services. After a mandatory three-day waiting period once the promissory note is signed, the funds will be disbursed to the student’s account.

Updated 3.15.24