Section 597.220  Selection Criteria for Award of Scholarships

a)         Scholarships awarded by the Department will be given to students who meet all eligibility requirements in Section 597.100 of this Part and who agree to the provisions of the contract.

b)         Recipients shall be selected on the basis of the following criteria:

1)         Recipients requesting a scholarship renewal will receive preference;

2)         If in any year the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of scholarships to be awarded, the Department shall, in consultation with the Center for Nursing Advisory Board, consider the following factors in granting priority in awarding scholarships:

A)        Financial need, as shown on a current standardized financial needs assessment form used by an approved institution, of students pursuing their education on a full-time or close to full-time basis.

B)        A student's status as a registered nurse who is pursuing a graduate degree in nursing to pursue employment in an approved institution that educates licensed practical nurses and that educates registered nurses in undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.

C)        A student's merit, as shown through his or her grade point average, class rank, and other academic and extracurricular activities (Sections 5 and 6.5(b) of the Law), including, but not limited to:

i)          A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or

ii)         Class rank in the 50^th percentile or higher, or

iii)         Demonstration of academic achievement by having previously earned a certificate in practical nursing, a hospital-based diploma in nursing, an associate degree in nursing, or a baccalaureate degree in nursing (as applicable).

3)         In addition to the requirements in subsections (b)(1) and (b)(2), students pursuing a graduate degree in nursing who wish to become a nurse educator shall demonstrate their merit, as shown through  their experience as a nurse, including supervisory experience, or experience as a nurse in the United States military. (Section 6.5(b)(3) of the Law)

4)         In the event of a tie, students having the fewest number of credit hours remaining to complete the degree will be awarded scholarships.

c)         Scholarship awards shall be distributed as follows:

1)         At least 40% of the scholarships awarded shall be for recipients who are pursuing baccalaureate degrees in nursing;

2)         At least 30% of the scholarships awarded shall be for recipients who are pursuing associate degrees in nursing or a hospital-based diploma in nursing;

3)         At least 20% of the scholarships awarded shall be for recipients who are pursuing a graduate degree in nursing; and

4)         At least 10% of the scholarships awarded shall be for recipients who are pursuing a certificate in practical nursing.  (Section 5 of the Law)

(Source:  Amended at 35 Ill. Reg. 4609, effective March 2, 2011)