The School of Nursing has been awarded $763,308 through the Health Resources & Services Administration’s (HRSA) Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP). Launched in 2004, this program seeks to increase the number of qualified nursing faculty through their low interest loans to help prepare and train qualified nurse educators to fill faculty vacancies and increase the number of nurses entering the workforce.
“A robust, geographically dispersed nurse faculty workforce is essential to producing the nursing workforce needed to meet US health care needs,” the NFLP states. The School of Nursing applies for NFLP funding each year to support nurses pursuing doctoral education who are interested in becoming nursing faculty.
NFLP- eligible students enrolled in either the DNP or PhD programs at UConn may apply for funding in Fall 2024. The NFLP funds cover tuition and other qualified cost for up to five years, with a maximum of $40,000 per year. Students awarded the NFLP funding may cancel 85% of their loan in return for serving four consecutive years as faculty in any accredited school of nursing or precepting advanced practice nursing students within an academic-practice partnership framework for four years.
The Project Director (PD) for this award is Dr. Annette Jakubišin-Konicki (PhD, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN). Dr. Jakubišin-Konicki is the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. The award administration is through the cooperative efforts of the UConn School of Nursing, Financial Aid and Bursar’s Office. The applications, available in fall 2024 will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority funding is given to those with prior NFLP funding, pursuing doctoral nursing education and meeting the eligibility requirements.
“The Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) is essential for expanding nursing training capacity. It supports nursing doctoral education, increasing the pool of qualified nursing faculty. By offering low-interest loans, it encourages doctorally prepared nurses to become effective faculty scholars and reduces the associated financial barriers through loan cancellation.”- Dr. Annette Jakubišin-Konicki
In receiving this award, UConn’s School of Nursing hopes to further expand the accessibility and the capabilities of its students. The opening of the application cycle for the upcoming academic year will occur in August.
For any further information, please contact Dr. Jakubišin-Konicki at annette.jakubisin_konicki@uconn.edu.
