Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP)

The Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through its Bureau of Health Workforce. The program is designed to address a national shortage of qualified nursing faculty by supporting academic institutions that prepare advanced practice nurses to become educators. By providing federal funding to accredited schools of nursing, the program enables those institutions to offer low-interest loans to students pursuing advanced nursing degrees, with the potential for substantial loan cancellation upon completion of qualifying faculty service. The core purpose of the program is to expand the pipeline of nurse educators across the United States. Participating institutions establish and manage a revolving loan fund that provides financial assistance to students enrolled in advanced nursing education programs, including master's and doctoral-level tracks. Students who graduate and commit to full-time employment as nurse faculty at accredited institutions may receive up to 85 percent loan cancellation over a four-year service period. This structure is intended to reduce financial barriers to entering academic nursing careers and to strengthen workforce capacity in nursing education nationwide. Funding under this program is distributed through formula-based awards to eligible institutions. For the current cycle, approximately 25.6 million dollars in total funding is expected to support around 80 awards, with individual awards reaching up to 2 million dollars. Award funds must be used to establish or maintain an interest-bearing loan fund, disburse loans to eligible students, and administer all aspects of loan servicing, including collection and cancellation. Institutions are required to contribute a non-federal match equal to at least one-ninth of the federal award amount, deposited into the loan fund alongside federal contributions. Funds cannot be used for indirect costs and must comply with federal cost principles and program-specific restrictions. Eligible applicants include accredited schools of nursing and affiliated institutions located within U.S. states and territories. Applicants must demonstrate accreditation status, maintain compliance throughout the award period, and submit required documentation confirming eligibility. Additional eligibility criteria apply to student borrowers, who must be enrolled in advanced nursing programs, maintain academic standing, and meet citizenship or residency requirements. The program also outlines qualifications for project directors and financial management personnel responsible for administering the loan fund and ensuring regulatory compliance. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov by the specified deadline. Applicants must complete standard federal forms, provide a detailed project narrative, and include required attachments such as accreditation documentation, maintenance of effort records, and a loan disbursement plan. The project narrative must address program need, implementation approach, performance measurement, and sustainability. Applications are reviewed for eligibility, completeness, and risk, and funding decisions are made using a formula that incorporates student enrollment data, financial need, and institutional performance metrics. Key dates for this funding opportunity include an application deadline of July 10, 2026, with awards expected to begin on September 1, 2026. The period of performance extends through June 30, 2027. The program operates on a recurring basis, with annual funding cycles anticipated. Institutions receiving awards must comply with extensive post-award requirements, including annual performance reporting, financial tracking, and participation in program evaluations. Contacts for programmatic and financial inquiries are provided through HRSA, including designated staff and support centers. Overall, the Nurse Faculty Loan Program represents a strategic federal investment in the nursing education workforce. By aligning financial incentives with faculty service commitments, the program aims to mitigate faculty shortages, expand educational capacity, and ultimately improve access to healthcare services by ensuring a well-trained nursing workforce for the future.

Ensure accreditation documentation is complete and verifiable; provide accurate NFLP data forms as they directly impact funding formula; clearly demonstrate loan fund management capacity and compliance systems; align project narrative with workforce needs and program objectives