The U.S. government has pledged $82 million in loans and scholarships to provide financial support to nurses and nursing students in exchange for service at healthcare facilities with a shortage of nurses. The nursing awards were made through 2 programs:

Nursing Scholarship Program (412 awards, $27 million.) Provides tuition, educational fees and a stipend for living expenses for as many as 4 years to eligible nursing students in exchange for a commitment to work at a critical shortage facility.

Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (1,304 awards, $55.3 million.) Provides loan repayment assistance to RNs and nurse faculty in exchange for working at a critical shortage facility or educational institution.

Dan O'Connor