ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
TITLE 23: EDUCATION AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
SUBTITLE A: EDUCATION
CHAPTER XIX: ILLINOIS STUDENT ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
PART 2749 NURSING EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
SECTION 2749.220 SELECTION CRITERIA FOR AWARD OF SCHOLARSHIPS


 

Section 2749.220  Selection Criteria for Award of Scholarships

 

a)         Nursing education scholarship recipients will be selected based on the following criteria outlined in Sections 5 and 6.5(b) of the Law:

 

1)         Recipients continuing with their nursing education (for the same nursing degree sought) from the previous academic year will receive preference over other applicants;

 

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

 

A)        The financial need, as determined by information submitted by the applicant on the FAFSA, of students who are seeking higher degree attainment:

 

i)          For students seeking to become nurses, those who will pursue their education on a full-time or close to full-time basis and who already have a certificate in practical nursing, a diploma in nursing, or an associate degree in nursing and are pursuing a higher degree (Section 5(A) of the Law); or

 

ii)         For students seeking to become nurse educators, those who will pursue their education on a full-time or close to full-time basis and who already have a baccalaureate degree in nursing and are pursuing a higher degree to become a nurse educator, or registered nurses who are pursuing a graduate degree in nursing to obtain employment in an approved institution that educates licensed practical nurses and that educates registered nurses in undergraduate and graduate nursing programs (Sections 6.5(b)(1) and 6.5(b)(2) of the Law);

 

B)        A student's merit, as shown through the following (Section 5(3)(c) and Section 6.5(b)(3) of the Law):

 

i)          a student's cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;

 

ii)         class rank in the 50th percentile or higher; and

 

iii)        other academic and extracurricular activities.

 

C)        For students seeking to become nurse educators, experience as a nurse, including supervisory experience, experience as a nurse in the United States military, and other academic and extracurricular activities.

 

b)         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 to become a nurse or nurse educator; 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 50 Ill. Reg. 9459, effective June 25, 2026)