HARRISBURG (February 16, 2022) – Sparked by legislation sponsored by Sen. Michele Brooks and Sen. Maria Collett, nurses residing in Pennsylvania and licensed through the Pennsylvania Department of State, can apply for new funds recently added to the PA Student Loan Relief for Nurses Program. Applications are due to PHEAA by March 1, 2022.
Brooks, who authored a co-sponsorship memo for the legislation back in April 2021, said it was important to her to ensure that monies will be distributed across every region of the Commonwealth, as too often rural Pennsylvania is disproportionately underfunded.
Applicants must have worked at least a combined 1,250 hours in a Pennsylvania qualifying nursing facility, with employment beginning before Dec. 31, 2021, across the qualifying 12-month calendar year.
Qualified applicants could receive up to $2,500 in relief for each year of work, beginning in 2020, for no more than three years — allowing for a maximum benefit of $7,500 toward their student loan debt.
“We just amended legislation in the Senate last month that includes an additional $15 million toward the program,” said Sen. Brooks. “The bill was enacted with agreement from all four legislative caucuses and the governor.”
Applications are available online through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. https://www.pheaa.org/funding-opportunities/loan-relief-for-nurses/
The best way to return an application is by fax at 717-720-3786. The application must be submitted as one document or by mail to: PHEAA PA Student Loan Relief for Nurses Program, P.O. Box 8157, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8157.
“We appreciate the dedication of our nurses, health care workers, and all of those working tirelessly to ensure access to healthcare, especially during the challenges of the last two years. This loan forgiveness program is one of many ways we are working in Harrisburg to recruit and retain nursing staff across our health care continuum to address unprecedented workforce shortages.”
CONTACT: Diane McNaughton
(717) 787-1322