Faith A. Fields Nursing Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Introduction
In 2009, Act 9 was enacted to provide additional funding for the nursing student loan program with the specific aim of encouraging nurses to enter nursing education positions within Arkansas. As a result of that legislation, the Faith A. Fields Nursing Scholarship Loan was established to help support individuals preparing for careers as licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, or nurse educators who will teach in Arkansas.
Program overview
The Faith A. Fields Nursing Scholarship Loan offers forgivable loans to students pursuing a course of study that leads to qualification as a registered nurse (via the Nursing Practice Loan), a licensed practical nurse (Nursing Practice Loan), or a nurse educator (Nurse Educator Loan). The Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN) provides funding for this program.
General eligibility requirements
To be considered for a Faith A. Fields Nursing Scholarship Loan, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be a bona fide resident of Arkansas.
- Be accepted to or enrolled in an Arkansas-approved nursing education program, or in a nationally accredited out-of-state nursing program that satisfies ASBN and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education requirements.
- Demonstrate financial need by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Not be related to any ASBN board member or ASBN staff in a manner that would violate Arkansas nepotism rules.
- If the applicant already holds a nursing license, it must be current and unencumbered.
Additional requirements for Nurse Educator Loan applicants
Applicants seeking the Nurse Educator Loan must also satisfy these conditions:
- Be currently teaching or have been hired to teach in a nursing education program located in Arkansas.
- Be enrolled in an Arkansas-approved or nationally accredited baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral nursing program.
Award amounts and disbursement
Each recipient may receive up to $20,000 in total loan funds, disbursed over multiple semesters as long as the recipient continues to meet eligibility requirements. Payment limits per semester and year are:
- Full-time students: up to $5,000 per semester (maximum $10,000 per year).
- Part-time students: up to $2,500 per semester (maximum $5,000 per year).
If you need help with application steps or deadlines, or want clarification about how the forgivable loan repayments/teaching commitments operate, let me know and I can provide additional details.