Section 2749.100  Eligibility

a)         Two forms of scholarship are available under the Nursing Education Scholarship Law: a scholarship in nursing (Section 5 of the Law) and a scholarship as a nurse educator (Section 6.5 of the Law).  These scholarships are referred to as the Scholarship.

b)         To qualify for Scholarship consideration, an applicant shall meet the eligibility criteria for either scholarship outlined in Section 5 or 6.5 of the Law showing that the applicant:

1)         is a citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States [110 ILCS 975/5 and 110 ILCS 975/6.5].

2)         has been a resident of this State for at least one year prior to application [110 ILCS 975/5 and 110 ILCS 975/6.5];

3)         is enrolled in or accepted for admission in one of the following programs at an approved institution in Illinois:

A)        associate degree in nursing program;

B)        associate degree in applied sciences in nursing program;

C)        hospital-based diploma in nursing program;

D)        baccalaureate degree in nursing program;

E)        graduate degree in nursing program;

F)         certificate in a practical nursing program; or

G)        post-licensure nursing education program approved by the Board of Higher Education or successor agency. [110 ILCS 975/3]

4)         Agrees to meet the employment obligation to work in Illinois as a nurse, if receiving a scholarship to pursue nursing education, or as a nurse educator, if receiving a scholarship to pursue nurse educator education. (Section 5(3) and Section 6.5(a)(3) of the Law)

b)         An individual is ineligible to receive the scholarship if the individual:

1)         Defaulted on an educational loan;

2)         Previously received a scholarship under this Part and was granted a discharge of the employment obligation (see Section 2749.335); or

3)         Receives monies from other scholarship or loan funds requiring service commitments that would prevent the applicant from meeting the nursing employment obligation or nurse educator employment requirements of this Part.

(Source:  Amended at 50 Ill. Reg. 9459, effective June 25, 2026)