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NURSES: the deadline to renew your license was June 30, 2024.  If you need to reinstate your nursing license, please complete and submit the request form: https://idfpr.illinois.gov/dpr/reactivate-your-license.html. A reinstatement packet will be provided for licenses which expired or went inactive less than five years ago.  If you have questions, please call 1-800-560-6420.

Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Grants

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State of Illinois Grants and Scholarship Opportunities
 

The goal of the Nursing Education Scholarship Program is to increase the number of nurses available for employment in Illinois by offering scholarships to overcome financial barriers to education. The program provides financial assistance to qualified individuals pursuing a certificate in practical nursing, an associate degree in nursing, a hospital-based diploma in nursing, a baccalaureate degree in nursing, or a graduate degree in nursing. The Nursing Education Scholarship Program (NESP) since 2023 is now being administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).  Inquiries about the program can be directed to ISAC isac.studentservices@illinois.gor or 1-800-899-4722. 

This initiative creates a competitive grant for nursing schools to increase the number of nurses graduating from Illinois nursing programs. The grants can be used for a number of purposes, including but not limited to: student retention programs, increasing faculty, increasing clinical space, creation of an evening or weekend program and tutoring programs for the national nursing licensing exam. This Program is administered by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE).

 

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Federal Financial Aid Opportunities
 

Unlike loans, these loans do not have to be repaid. Generally Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not already earned a bachelor’s or professional degree.
 

Unlike loans, these loans do not have to be repaid. Generally Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not already earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. Are subsidized loans awarded on the basis of financial need. You will not be charged any interest before you begin repayment or during authorized periods of deferment. (An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of need. You’ll be charged interest from the time the loan is paid in full.)

 

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Military Financial Aid Opportunities
 

The U.S. Armed Forces has financial aid opportunities available. For more information, visit http://www.todaysmilitary.com
 

For specific information on Army Nursing, visit: http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/scholarships.jsp
 

For specific information on Air Force Nursing, visit: https://www.afrotc.com/scholarships/college/types/
 

For specific information on the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, visit: https://www.navy.com/education-opportunities/undergraduate-degree-opportunities?q=what-to-expect/education-opportunities/undergraduate-degree-opportunities
 

For specific information on Marine Nursing, visit: https://usmilitary.com/marine-corps-nurse/
 

For a list of Yellow Ribbon Schools in Illinois, visit:  https://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/benefits/Pages/yellow-ribbon-education.aspx 

 

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Minority Financial Aid Opportunities
 

There are many financial aid opportunities available for minority nursing students. The following is a list of just a few sources. Click on the links below for more information.

 

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Private Funding and Other Financial Aid Opportunities

 

Local and state civic organizations as well as businesses often have scholarship monies available for nursing students. Contact your area Lion’s Club, Rotary Club, or DAR to name a few. Businesses such as Target, Wal-Mart, Wendy’s and McDonald’s, among many others, may also have limited scholarship resources for education. The following links should help you get started searching for private and other financial aid opportunities:

 

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Institutional Funding
 

Each college or university will have financial aid resources available to students. Be sure to contact your education provider for more details and how to apply.

 

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HRSA Grants

 

 
  • For information about other federal aid be sure and visit the Federal Student Aid website at 
 
 
 

 

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Military Nursing Opportunities

 

Service in the U.S. military can provide you one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences and provide opportunities for nursing education. Educational funding is provided for BSN, as well as Advanced Practice degrees in nursing with a commitment to serve in your selected branch of military service. RNs coming into the military with an Associate Degree will be considered enlisted personnel. RNs with a BSN or Advanced Practice degree (MSN or PhD) will be considered an officer. Military nurses work in base hospitals and clinics in addition to providing health care in field hospitals, aboard ship and can even provide in-flight care for air military medical transfers.
 

At Today’s Military, todaysmilitary.com you can find more information about nursing careers (https://www.todaysmilitary.com/careers-benefits/career-fields/health-science) including military versus civilian pay (https://www.todaysmilitary.com/careers-benefits/salary-compensation) and ROTC (https://www.todaysmilitary.com/education-training/rotc-programs) information.
 

The following will information will provide you with links for more specific information on nursing careers in specific branches of the military.
 

Army Nursing

Both men and women have served as Army nurses since 1775. It wasn’t until the distinguished contributions of female contract nurses during and following the 1898 Spanish-American War were recognized, that the justification and need for a permanent nurse corps was established. The Army Nurse Corps became a part of the Army Medical Department in 1901.  Since that time thousands of men and women have served as army nurses for our nation caring for the sick and wounded, comforting the dying, risking their lives, being taken prisoner, and dying in the field.

Army Nurses

Army ROTC Nurse Officer Program
 

Navy Nursing

For nearly 100 years before Congress formally established the Navy Nurse Corps in 1908, women worked as nurses aboard Navy ships and in Navy hospitals. As early as the War of 1812, volunteers performed nursing duty in places that were often dangerous and required courage in the face of adversity. In addition to their own service-related activities, Navy nurses provide nursing support for the U.S. Marine Corps.

Navy Nurses

Navy ROTC
 

Air Force Nursing

The U.S. Air Force, which had been a part of the U.S. Army, was established as a separate service in 1947. The Air Force Nurse Corps was recognized as a branch of the U.S. Air Force in 1949. While traditional nursing roles exist in the Air Force, special training opportunities such as Flight Nurse are also available.

Air Force Reserve Nurses

Air Force ROTC Nursing Fact Sheet
 

Marine Corps Nursing

Every Nurse in the United States Marine Corps is a commissioned Navy Officer. The Marine Corps has programs for nursing dealing with many different specialties. You will work with other health professionals using state of the art facilities, materials and technology.

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Illinois Nursing Workforce Center
555 West Monroe Street
Suite #500
Chicago, Illinois 60661
888-NURSE07 [888-687-7307]
Email: FPR.ILCenterforNurses@Illinois.gov

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