2005 Illinois Code - Chapter 110 Higher Education 110 ILCS 975/ Nursing Education Scholarship Law.
(110 ILCS 975/1) (from Ch. 144, par. 2751)
Sec. 1.
Short title.
This Article shall be known and may be cited as the Nursing Education Scholarship Law.
(Source: P.A. 86‑1467.)
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(110 ILCS 975/2) (from Ch. 144, par. 2752)
Sec. 2. Legislative finding and declaration of policy. The General Assembly finds and hereby declares that the provision of a
higher education leading to an associate degree in nursing, an
associate
degree in applied sciences in nursing, a hospital‑based diploma
in nursing, a
baccalaureate degree in nursing, a graduate degree in nursing, or a certificate in practical nursing for
persons of this State
who desire such an education is important to the health, welfare and
security of this State and Nation, and consequently is an important public
purpose. Many qualified and potential nurses
are deterred by financial considerations from pursuing their nursing
education, with consequent irreparable loss to the State and Nation of
talents vital to health, welfare and security. A system of scholarships,
repayment of which may be excused if the individual is employed as a
registered professional
nurse or a licensed practical nurse after
obtaining an associate degree in
nursing, associate degree in applied sciences in nursing, hospital‑based
diploma in nursing, baccalaureate degree in nursing, graduate degree in nursing, or certificate
in practical nursing, will enable such individuals
to attend approved institutions of their choice in the State,
public or
private.
(Source: P.A. 92‑43, eff. 1‑1‑02; 93‑879, eff. 1‑1‑05.)
(110 ILCS 975/3) (from Ch. 144, par. 2753)
(Text of Section from P.A. 98‑721)
Sec. 3. Definitions.
The following terms, whenever used or referred to, have the following
meanings except where the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(1) "Board" means the Board of Higher Education created by the Board
of Higher Education Act.
(2) "Department" means the Illinois Department of Public Health.
(3) "Approved institution" means a public community college, private
junior college, hospital‑based diploma in nursing
program, or public or private
college or university located in this State that has approval by the Department of Professional
Regulation for an associate degree in nursing
program,
associate degree in applied
sciences in nursing program, hospital‑based diploma in nursing
program, baccalaureate degree in nursing program, or
certificate in practical
nursing program.
(4) "Baccalaureate degree in nursing program" means a program offered by
an
approved institution and leading to a bachelor of science degree in nursing.
(5) "Enrollment" means the establishment and maintenance of an
individual's status as a student in an approved institution, regardless of
the terms used at the institution to describe such status.
(6) "Academic year" means the period of time from September 1 of one
year through August 31 of the next year or as otherwise defined by the
academic institution.
(7) "Associate degree in nursing program or hospital‑based diploma in
nursing program" means a program
offered by an approved institution and leading to an associate
degree in
nursing, associate degree in applied sciences in nursing, or
hospital‑based diploma in nursing.
(8) "Director" means the Director of the Illinois Department of Public
Health.
(9) "Accepted for admission" means a student has completed the
requirements for entry into an associate degree in nursing program,
associate degree in applied sciences in nursing program, hospital‑based
diploma in nursing program, baccalaureate degree in nursing program, or
certificate in practical nursing program at an approved institution, as
documented by the
institution.
(10) "Fees" means those mandatory charges, in addition to tuition, that
all enrolled students must pay, including required course or lab fees.
(11) "Full‑time student" means a student enrolled for at least 12 hours
per
term or as otherwise determined by the academic institution.
(12) "Law" means the Nursing Education Scholarship Law.
(13) "Nursing employment obligation" means employment in this State as a
registered
professional
nurse or licensed practical nurse in direct patient care
for at least one year for each year of scholarship assistance received through
the Nursing
Education Scholarship Program.
(14) "Part‑time student" means a person who is enrolled for at least
one‑third of the number of hours required per term by a school for its
full‑time students.
(15) "Practical nursing program" means a program offered by an approved
institution leading to a certificate in practical nursing.
(16) "Registered professional nurse" means a
person who is currently licensed as a registered professional nurse
by the Department of Professional
Regulation under the Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act.
(17) "Licensed practical nurse" means a
person who is currently licensed as a licensed practical nurse
by the Department of Professional
Regulation under the Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act.
(18) "School term" means an academic term, such as a semester, quarter,
trimester, or number of clock hours, as defined by an approved institution.
(19) "Student in good standing" means a student maintaining a cumulative
grade point average equivalent to at least the academic grade of a "C".
(20) "Total and permanent disability" means a physical or mental impairment,
disease, or loss of a permanent nature that prevents nursing employment with or
without reasonable accommodation. Proof of disability shall be a declaration
from the social security administration, Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission,
Department of Defense, or an insurer authorized to transact business in
Illinois who is providing disability insurance coverage to a contractor.
(21) "Tuition" means the established charges of an institution of higher
learning for instruction at that institution.
(Source: P.A. 92‑43, eff. 1‑1‑02; 93‑721, eff. 1‑1‑05.)
(Text of Section from P.A. 93‑879)
Sec. 3. Definitions.
The following terms, whenever used or referred to, have the following
meanings except where the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(1) "Board" means the Board of Higher Education created by the Board
of Higher Education Act.
(2) "Department" means the Illinois Department of Public Health.
(3) "Approved institution" means a public community college, private
junior college, hospital‑based diploma in nursing
program, or public or private
college or university located in this State that has approval by the Department of Professional
Regulation for an associate degree in nursing
program,
associate degree in applied
sciences in nursing program, hospital‑based diploma in nursing
program,
baccalaureate degree in nursing program, graduate degree in nursing program, or
certificate in practical
nursing program.
(4) "Baccalaureate degree in nursing program" means a program offered by
an
approved institution and leading to a bachelor of science degree in nursing.
(5) "Enrollment" means the establishment and maintenance of an
individual's status as a student in an approved institution, regardless of
the terms used at the institution to describe such status.
(6) "Academic year" means the period of time from September 1 of one
year through August 31 of the next year or as otherwise defined by the
academic institution.
(7) "Associate degree in nursing program or hospital‑based diploma in
nursing program" means a program
offered by an approved institution and leading to an associate
degree in
nursing, associate degree in applied sciences in nursing, or
hospital‑based diploma in nursing.
(8) "Graduate degree in nursing program" means a program offered by an approved institution and leading to a master of science degree in nursing or a doctorate of philosophy or doctorate of nursing degree in nursing.
(9) "Director" means the Director of the Illinois Department of Public
Health.
(10) "Accepted for admission" means a student has completed the
requirements for entry into an associate degree in nursing program,
associate degree in applied sciences in nursing program, hospital‑based
diploma in nursing program,
baccalaureate degree in nursing program, graduate degree in nursing program, or
certificate in practical nursing program at an approved institution, as
documented by the
institution.
(11) "Fees" means those mandatory charges, in addition to tuition, that
all enrolled students must pay, including required course or lab fees.
(12) "Full‑time student" means a student enrolled for at least 12 hours
per
term or as otherwise determined by the academic institution.
(13) "Law" means the Nursing Education Scholarship Law.
(14) "Nursing employment obligation" means employment in this State as a
registered
professional
nurse or licensed practical nurse in direct patient care
or as a nurse educator in the case of a graduate degree in nursing program recipient for at least one year for each year of scholarship assistance received through
the Nursing
Education Scholarship Program.
(15) "Part‑time student" means a person who is enrolled for at least
one‑third of the number of hours required per term by a school for its
full‑time students.
(16) "Practical nursing program" means a program offered by an approved
institution leading to a certificate in practical nursing.
(17) "Registered professional nurse" means a
person who is currently licensed as a registered professional nurse
by the Department of Professional
Regulation under the Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act.
(18) "Licensed practical nurse" means a
person who is currently licensed as a licensed practical nurse
by the Department of Professional
Regulation under the Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act.
(19) "School term" means an academic term, such as a semester, quarter,
trimester, or number of clock hours, as defined by an approved institution.
(20) "Student in good standing" means a student maintaining a cumulative
grade point average equivalent to at least the academic grade of a "C".
(21) "Total and permanent disability" means a physical or mental impairment,
disease, or loss of a permanent nature that prevents nursing employment with or
without reasonable accommodation. Proof of disability shall be a declaration
from the social security administration, Illinois Industrial Commission,
Department of Defense, or an insurer authorized to transact business in
Illinois who is providing disability insurance coverage to a contractor.
(22) "Tuition" means the established charges of an institution of higher
learning for instruction at that institution.
(23) "Nurse educator" means a person who is currently licensed as a registered nurse by the Department of Professional Regulation under the Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act, who has a graduate degree in nursing, and who is employed by an approved academic institution to educate registered nursing students, licensed practical nursing students, and registered nurses pursuing graduate degrees.
(Source: P.A. 92‑43, eff. 1‑1‑02; 93‑879, eff. 1‑1‑05.)
(110 ILCS 975/4) (from Ch. 144, par. 2754)
Sec. 4.
Functions of Department.
The Department shall prepare and supervise the issuance of public
information about the provisions of this Article; prescribe the form and
regulate the submission of applications for scholarships; determine the
eligibility of applicants; award the appropriate scholarships; prescribe the
contracts or other acknowledgments of scholarship which an applicant is
required to execute; and determine whether all or any part of a recipient's scholarship needs to be monetarily repaid, or has been excused
from repayment, and the extent of any repayment or excused repayment. The
Department may require a recipient to reimburse
the State for expenses, including but not limited to attorney's fees, incurred
by the Department or other agent of the State for a successful legal action
against the recipient for a breach of any provision of the scholarship
contract. In a breach of contract, the Department may utilize referral to
the Department of
Professional Regulation to revoke, suspend, refuse to renew, place on
probationary status, or take other disciplinary action concerning the
recipient's credentials. The Department is
authorized to make all necessary and
proper
rules, not inconsistent with this Article, for the efficient exercise of the
foregoing functions.
(Source: P.A. 92‑43, eff. 1‑1‑02.)
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(110 ILCS 975/5) (from Ch. 144, par. 2755)
Sec. 5. Nursing education scholarships. Beginning with the fall term of the 2004‑2005
academic year, the
Department, in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by it for this
program, shall provide scholarships to individuals selected
from among those applicants who qualify for consideration by showing:
(1) that he or she has been a resident of this State
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for at least one year prior to application, and is a citizen or a lawful permanent resident alien of the United States;
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(2) that he or she is enrolled in or accepted for
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admission to an associate degree in nursing program, hospital‑based diploma in nursing program, baccalaureate degree in nursing program, graduate degree in nursing program, or practical nursing program at an approved institution; and
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(3) that he or she agrees to meet the nursing
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If in any year the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of
scholarships to be awarded, the Department shall give priority in awarding
scholarships:
(A) To students in the greatest financial need,
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as shown on a standardized financial needs assessment form used by an approved institution who will pursue their education on a full‑time or closest to full‑time basis and who already have a certificate in practical nursing, a diploma in nursing, or an associate degree in nursing and are pursuing a higher degree.
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(B) To registered nurses pursuing a graduate
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degree in nursing to pursue employment in an approved institution that educates licensed practical nurses and that educates registered nurses in undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.
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Unless otherwise indicated, scholarships shall be awarded to
recipients at approved institutions for a period
of up to 2 years if the recipient is enrolled in an
associate degree in
nursing
program, up to 3 years if the recipient is enrolled in a hospital‑based
diploma in nursing program, up to 4 years if the recipient is enrolled in a
baccalaureate degree in nursing program, up to 5 years if the recipient is enrolled in a graduate degree in nursing program, and up to one year if the
recipient is enrolled in a certificate in practical nursing program. At least
40% of the scholarships awarded shall be for recipients who are
pursuing baccalaureate degrees in nursing, 30% of the scholarships
awarded shall be for recipients who are pursuing associate degrees in
nursing
or a diploma in nursing, 10% of the scholarships awarded
shall be for recipients who are pursuing a certificate in practical nursing, and 20% of the scholarships awarded shall be for recipients who are pursuing a graduate degree in nursing.
(Source: P.A. 92‑43, eff. 1‑1‑02; 93‑879, eff. 1‑1‑05.)
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(110 ILCS 975/6) (from Ch. 144, par. 2756)
Sec. 6. Nursing requirements for scholarship recipients. Within 12 months after graduation from an associate degree in
nursing program, hospital‑based diploma in nursing
program,
baccalaureate degree in nursing program, graduate degree in nursing program, or
certificate in practical nursing program, any
recipient who accepted a
scholarship under Section 5 shall begin meeting the required nursing
employment obligation. In order to defer his
or her continuous employment obligation, a recipient must
request the deferment in writing from the Department.
A recipient shall notify program staff within 30 days if he or she
spends up to 4 years in military service before or after graduation. A
recipient shall notify program staff within 30 days if he or she is enrolled in
an academic
program leading to a graduate degree in nursing. If a recipient receives
funding through the Nursing Education Scholarship Program for a higher degree,
the nursing employment obligation shall be deferred until he or she is no
longer
enrolled or has graduated. The recipient must begin meeting the required
nursing employment obligations no later than 6 months after the end of the
deferments.
Any person who fails to fulfill the nursing employment obligation shall
pay to the Department an amount equal to the amount of scholarship funds
received per year for each unfulfilled year of the nursing employment
obligation, together with interest at 7% per year on the
unpaid balance.
Payment must begin within 6 months following the date of the occurrence
initiating the
repayment. All repayments must be completed within 6 years from the date of
the
occurrence initiating the repayment. However, this obligation may be
deferred and re‑evaluated every 6 months when the failure to fulfill the
nursing employment
obligation results
from involuntarily leaving the profession due to a decrease in the number
of nurses employed in the State or when the failure to fulfill the nursing
employment obligation results from total and permanent disability. The
repayment obligation shall be excused if the failure to fulfill the nursing
employment obligation results from the death or adjudication as
incompetent of the person holding the scholarship. No claim for repayment
may be filed against the estate of such a decedent or incompetent.
Each person applying for such a scholarship shall be provided with a copy
of this Section at the time of application for the
benefits of such
scholarship.
(Source: P.A. 92‑43, eff. 1‑1‑02; 93‑879, eff. 1‑1‑05.)
(110 ILCS 975/7) (from Ch. 144, par. 2757)
Sec. 7. Amount of scholarships. To determine a scholarship
amount, the Department shall consider tuition and fee charges at
community colleges and universities statewide and projected living
expenses. Using information provided annually by the Illinois Student
Assistance Commission, 75% of the weighted tuition and fees charged by
community colleges in Illinois shall be added to the uniform living
allowance reported in the weighted Monetary Award Program (MAP)
budget to determine the full‑time scholarship amount for students
pursuing an associate degree or diploma in nursing at an Illinois
community college. Scholarship amounts for students pursuing
associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degrees in nursing at a college or university shall
include 75% of the
weighted tuition and fees charged by public universities in Illinois plus
the uniform living allowance reported in the weighted MAP budget.
Scholarship amounts for students in practical nursing programs shall
include 75% of the average of tuition charges at all practical nursing
programs plus the uniform living allowance reported in the weighted MAP
budget. The
Department may provide that scholarships shall be on a quarterly or
semi‑annual basis and shall be contingent upon the student's diligently
pursuing nursing studies and being a student in good
standing. Scholarship awards may be provided to part‑time students; the
amount shall be determined by applying the proportion represented by the
part‑time enrollment to full‑time enrollment ratio to the average per‑term
scholarship amount for a student in the same nursing degree category.
(Source: P.A. 92‑43, eff. 1‑1‑02; 93‑879, eff. 1‑1‑05.)
(110 ILCS 975/8) (from Ch. 144, par. 2758)
Sec. 8.
Advisory Council.
The Nurse Scholarship and Baccalaureate Nursing Assistance Advisory
Council created by the Baccalaureate Assistance Law for Registered Nurses
shall assist and advise the Department in the administration of this Article.
(Source: P.A. 86‑1467.)
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(110 ILCS 975/9) (from Ch. 144, par. 2759)
Sec. 9.
Student enrollment and obligations of institutions.
(a) An approved institution is free to accept a student
in
compliance
with its own admissions requirements, standards, and policies. The
Department may disburse any scholarship for tuition and fees to the
approved institution direct for the payment of tuition and other necessary
fees or for credit against the student's obligation for such tuition and
fees, and upon acceptance thereof the approved institution shall be
contractually obligated (1) to provide facilities and instruction to the
student on the same terms as to other students generally, and (2) to
provide the notices and information described in this Section.
(b) If, in the course of any academic period, any student enrolled in
any approved institution pursuant to a scholarship granted under this Article
shall for any reason cease to be a student in good standing, the
institution shall promptly give written notice to the Department concerning
such change of status and the reason therefor.
(c) A student to whom a renewal scholarship has been awarded may either
re‑enroll in the institution which he or she attended during the preceding
year, or enroll in any other approved institution; and in either event, the
institution accepting the student for such enrollment or re‑enrollment
shall notify the Department of such acceptance.
(Source: P.A. 92‑43, eff. 1‑1‑02.)
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(110 ILCS 975/10) (from Ch. 144, par. 2760)
Sec. 10.
(Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 87‑577. Repealed by P.A. 92‑43, eff. 1‑1‑02.)
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