ISAC Student PortalNursing Education Scholarships (NES)
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Program Description
Eligibility
Participating Schools
How to Apply
Changes to Application Data
How Funds Are Disbursed
Processing Updates
If you are pursuing a certificate in practical nursing, an associate degree in nursing, a hospital-based diploma in nursing or a bachelor’s or graduate degree in nursing and demonstrate the greatest financial need among qualified students, you may be qualified to receive the Nursing Education Scholarship. If awarded, you must begin full- or part-time employment as a licensed practical or registered professional nurse, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a nurse educator in Illinois within six months of graduating, and remain employed for a period equivalent to the educational time supported by the scholarship. If you terminate studies, or fail to become employed, you will be required to repay the full scholarship amount, plus seven-percent interest per year.
The number of years for which you may receive funding from this program is based on the certificate, diploma, or degree being pursued.
| Certificate, Diploma, or Degree Pursued: | Maximum Years of Scholarship Assistance: |
| Certificate in Practical Nursing | One Academic Year |
| Associate Degree in Nursing | Two Academic Years |
| Hospital-Based Diploma in Nursing | Three Academic Years |
| Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing | Four Academic Years |
| Graduate Degree in Nursing | Five Academic Years |
| Graduate Degree in Nursing to become a Nurse Educator | Three Academic Years |
The scholarship pays for coursework within the nursing curriculum, but does not pay for pre-requisite coursework.
Full-time students may receive a stipend (part-time students are not eligible for a stipend).
Eligibility
- be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non citizen or meet the "undocumented student" criteria of the RISE Act
- be an Illinois resident for at least one year prior to the date of application
- be enrolled or accepted for enrollment 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.
- demonstrate financial need
- maintain satisfactory academic progress, as determined by your college
- establish satisfactory repayment arrangements if you are in default on any federal student loan
- sign an Application/Promissory Note/Grant Agreement promising to fulfill the employment commitment or repay funds received plus interest.
Participating Schools
To view a listing of Illinois colleges approved to participate in this program, click on the link for the appropriate academic year:
How to Apply
The NES application period each year starts on March 1 and continues through April 30. The application must be completed and submitted each year an applicant wishes to receive funding, regardless of whether the applicant has received a previous award (renewal). The NES Application/Promissory Note/Grant Agreement is accessed online via the Program Applications & Status Checks area of the Student Portal. The online application has built-in edits to prevent errors, and we will send immediate confirmation to your e-mail address that your application has been received. If your application is incomplete, you will receive a letter from ISAC explaining the reason(s) and advising how to resolve the issue.
The 2023-24 application period is closed. To be considered for the 2023-24 academic year, the NESP Application/Promissory Note/Grant Agreement must have been submitted to ISAC on or before April 30, 2023.
Changes to Application Data
Only one application for this program may be submitted per academic year. Consequently, if you need to change your response(s) to any item(s) and/or update any information after the application has been submitted, you will need to provide the information to ISAC. Examples of items that may need to be updated include demographic information (i.e., name, address, telephone number, etc.), your college of record and the impacted terms (e.g., full year, or fall or spring semester). These changes can be submitted to ISAC using one of the below methods, but cannot be done over the telephone.
- via e-mail to isac.studentservices@illinois.gov
- via FAX to 847.831.8549
- via letter to ISAC Dept D, 1755 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, IL 60015-5209
The request must include the last four digits of your Social Security number (for identification purposes) and clearly state what change(s) need to be made. These changes will not affect the application "received date." In order to allow adequate processing time and prevent a loss of benefits, changes to your college of record should to be reported prior to the beginning of the applicable term(s).
How Funds are Disbursed
ISAC works with the school to disburse funds for this program. The school certifies student eligibility and then submits a payment request on behalf of the student. ISAC processes the payment request and submits the information to the State Comptroller's Office. Dependent on the level of State of Illinois funding at the time of the request, the amount of time it takes for funds to arrive at the school can vary anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
Depending on the school, students may be responsible for payment until program funds are received. Qualified applicants who are awaiting receipt of funds from this program should contact the Financial Aid Office or Business Office to determine the school’s policy.
Processing Updates
Note that ISAC routinely updates this section as new information becomes available. Be sure to check back periodically for the current processing status.
For the 2023-24 Academic Year
(last updated September 8, 2023)
The 2023-24 NES application is no longer being accepted.
To be considered for funds during the 2023-24 academic year, the NES Application/Promissory Note/Grant Agreement must have been submitted to ISAC on or before April 30, 2023.
Applicants who submitted an unsigned application prior to the April 30, 2023 deadline were sent a notification of incomplete application. Individuals whose applications were still unsigned in early May 2023 were then sent an e-mail informing them that their signed Application/Promissory Note/Grant Agreement must be received at ISAC no later than May 31, 2023, in order to determine their eligibility for an award. Questions regarding this process may be directed to the ISAC Call Center.
This page will be updated once awarding of 2023-24 Nursing Education Scholarships has taken place (anticipated for during the fall).
