Applicant Information Bulletin: Funding Preferences

Historically, the number of qualified applicants has exceeded available NELRP funding. Consequently, the program uses funding preferences to determine the sequential order in which qualified applicants are considered for an award. As provided in section 846(e) of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, a funding preference will be given to qualified applicants with greatest financial need, which the NELRP defines as those qualified applicants whose total qualifying educational loans are 40% or greater than their gross annual salary. In addition, a funding preference is given to RNs working in the types of heath care facilities that have the most severe nursing shortage. Applicants are grouped into one of the preference levels described below based on their qualifying nursing education debt to gross annual salary ratio and place of employment. Awards are made to applicants starting with the first preference category described below by decreasing qualifying nursing education debt to salary ratio until funds are expended.

QUALIFYING NURSING EDUCATION DEBT ÷ SALARY = 40% or GREATER

• First Preference for Funding will be given to applicants with greatest financial need working in the following types of CSFs: DSH; Nursing Home; State or Local Public Health Department including a Public Health Clinic within the Department; Federally Designated Health Center; Native Hawaiian Health Center; Federally Designated Health Center Look-Alike; Indian Health Service Health Center; or Rural Health Clinic.
• Second Preference for Funding will be given to applicants with greatest financial need working in the following types of CSFs: Skilled Nursing Facility or Non-Federal non-DSH.
• Third Preference for Funding will be given to applicants with the greatest financial need working in the following types of CSFs: Ambulatory Surgical Center; Home Health Agency; Hospice; or Federal Hospital.

QUALIFYING NURSING EDUCATION DEBT ÷ SALARY = LESS THAN 40%

• Fourth Preference for Funding will be given to applicants regardless of financial need working in the following types of CSFs: DSH; Nursing Home; State or Local Public Health Department including a Public Health Clinic within the Department; Federally Designated Health Center; Native Hawaiian Health Center; Federally Designated Health Center Look-Alike; Indian Health Service Health Center; or Rural Health Clinic.
• Fifth Preference for Funding will be given to applicants regardless of financial need working in the following types of CSFs: Skilled Nursing Facility or Non-Federal non-DSH.
• Sixth Preference for Funding will be given to applicants regardless of financial need working in the following types of CSFs: Ambulatory Surgical Center; Home Health Agency; Hospice; or Federal Hospital.

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