The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Bureau of Clinician Recruitment and Service (BCRS), announced this afternoon that the 2012 application cycle for NELRP is open and will remain open through February 15, 2012.

NELRP offers Registered Nurses (RNs), advanced practice registered nurses, such as Nurse Practitioners (NPs), and nurse faculty an opportunity to repay 60 percent of their outstanding qualifying educational loans in exchange for a two-year service commitment at a Critical Shortage Facility (CSF) or an accredited school of nursing.

This year, the program has been modified to adapt to changes in the nursing profession and to ensure support for communities with the greatest need.

For 2012, the program is reserving up to half of the award funding for NPs; the remaining funding will continue to support RNs and nurse faculty.

As in previous years, NELRP is expected to be competitive. If there are more qualified applicants than available funding, NELRP will prioritize applications based upon the following criteria:

• Nurses at CSFs:
  Preference will be given to nurses based on the greatest financial need, the type of facility, and the mental health or primary care Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designation. For more information on CSFs, HPSAs and funding preferences, review the Application and Program Guidance at

  http://www.hrsa.gov/loanscholarships/repayment/nursing/guidance.pdf.

• Nurse Faculty at Schools:
  Preference will be given to faculty with the greatest financial need and to faculty working at schools of nursing with at least 50 percent enrollment of students from a disadvantaged background.

The deadline to apply to NELRP is February 15, 2012 at 5 pm ET. To learn more about NELRP eligibility and requirements, visit:

http://www.hrsa.gov/loanscholarships/repayment/nursing/.