What is the NFLP Program?
The Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) is a federal program funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which aims to increase the number of qualified nursing students who pursue careers as full-time faculty in schools of nursing.
This program allows Herzing to offer loans to students enrolled in our Master of Science in Nursing Education (MSN-NE), Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing Education (PMC-NE), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs who are committed to becoming nurse faculty.
There is an expansive and growing need for nurse educators. By pursuing an advanced degree in the MSN Nurse Educator or DNP program at Herzing University, you will find an enriching career path in educating future generations of nurses. In addition, earning your MSN or DNP degree will identify you as a highly qualified candidate for leadership and educator positions in nursing education. As such, we invite you to pursue Herzing University’s MSN-Nurse Educator program, PMC-Nurse Education program, or DNP and take advantage of additional funds by applying for the NFLP.
Up to 85% of Loans Forgiven*
*In exchange for post-graduation employment as nurse faculty meeting specific criteria, the program authorizes the cancellation of up to 85% of any such loan (plus interest thereon)
Eligibility
- Enrolled as an active Herzing University Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Education (MSN-NE), Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing Education (PMC-NE), or Doctor of Nursing Practive (DNP) program
- Submit a FAFSA
- Must be in good standing with all other loans
- Must be seeking employment as a faculty member at an accredited school of nursing within 12 months of graduating
- Complete all required paperwork, including initial application
- Must be willing to comply with all reporting requirements, including post-graduation
- Meet citizenship eligibility requirements
Covered Expenses
Expenses covered by the NFLP include reasonable educational expenses such as tuition and fees. Awards may be renewable contingent upon ongoing federal funding.
NFLP Process
- To apply for the Nursing Faculty Loan Program, a student must first be meeting the following eligibility requirements:
- Enrolled and/or an active student in a Herzing University Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Education (MSN-NE), Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing Education (PMC-NE), or Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP) program
- Submit a FAFSA
- Be in good standing with all other loans
- Be seeking employment as a faculty member at an accredited school of nursing within 12 months of graduating
- Willing to comply with all reporting requirements, including post-graduation
- Must meet citizenship eligibility requirements
- Meet with your Financial Aid Advisor to discuss your interest in the Nursing Faculty Loan Program and complete all required paperwork.
- Complete the loan application
- Complete Entrance Counseling
- Sign Master Promissory Note – Nurse Faculty Program Promissory Note
- Reach graduation while maintaining the following eligibility requirements:
- Students must graduate from the enrollment in which they received an NFLP Loan to qualify for cancellation and a 3% interest rate
- Students may still take an Approved Break in compliance with Herzing’s policies
- Students seeking to withdraw should talk to an advisor regarding the effect of the withdrawal on NFLP Loan benefits
- Students must graduate from the enrollment in which they received an NFLP Loan to qualify for cancellation and a 3% interest rate
- Complete Exit Counseling – Exit Interview Questionnaire
- Find a full-time nurse faculty position within 12 months of graduating
- Contact Program Director to complete the Employment Verification and Application for Payment Postponement
- Complete the Application for Cancelation at the following intervals:
- One year after employment
- Two years after employment
- Three years after employment
- Four years after employment
- Complete the forbearance, deferment, or disability form if applicable
- Continue repayment of any remaining balance until the loan have been paid off completely
Entrance Interview Information
Before receiving an NFLP Loan, completion of entrance counseling is required. After eligibility is confirmed by the Financial Aid department, students are enrolled in the entrance counseling course through Canvas. The entrance counseling course provides information on the NFLP program requirements, borrower’s rights and responsibilities, and disbursements and repayment options.
Exit Interview Information
Completion of exit counseling is required before graduating or dropping below half-time attendance. Herzing University’s third-party billing servicer, University Accounting Service, LLC (UAS LLC), will contact borrowers to complete exit counseling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Exit Counseling
Yes! It is a requirement that students who have used funding from our Nursing Faculty Loan Program complete the exit counseling once they have separated from Herzing.
Once you have separated from Herzing either by dropping below half-time status, withdrawing, or graduating, you will receive an email from UAS, Herzing’s loan servicer, prompting you to complete the required exit counseling. If you did not receive this email or are having any difficulties completing the exit counseling, please reach out to our Alumni Support Team at alumnisupport@herzing.edu, 1-866-508-0748, Option 7 so that we can assist you. Important links are also available in the checklist above.
Employment
“Nurse Faculty” is defined as an academic educator (faculty) or a clinical educator/instructor role at an accredited school of nursing, or a clinical educator/preceptor role at an accredited health facility. For NFLP graduates, “Full-time” nurse faculty employment is designated by the Herzing University as working an average of at least 30 hours per week. “Part-time” is designated as working an average of less than 30 hours per week. Full time employment status may include:
- Employment as a full-time faculty member in an accredited school of nursing
- Employment as a part-time faculty member (including adjunct positions) at an accredited school of nursing with another part-time faculty position (including adjunct positions) that equates to full-time employment.
- Employment as a part-time faculty member (including adjunct positions) at an accredited school of nursing in combination with a part-time clinical educator/preceptor position (including adjunct positions) at an accredited health facility, affiliated with an accredited school of nursing that together equates to full-time employment.
Examples:
- 1 Full-time Faculty position (tenure or non-tenure track) = 1 Full-time employment status
- 1 Part-time faculty position (adjunct faculty/clinical instructor/part-time faculty) + 1 Part-time faculty position = 1 Full-time employment status
- 1 Part-time faculty position + 1 Clinical educator position (clinical educator, clinical preceptor) = 1 Full-time employment status
NFLP loans for all students will enter repayment after the 9-month grace period ends. However, students have up to 12 months after graduation from the program to secure full-time employment as a nurse faculty member and complete/submit the NFLP Employment Certification Form to the Program Director – Brandy Ebert - in Academics.
Once you have attained full-time employment as a nursing faculty member, you should reach out to the NFLP Program Director, Brandy Ebert, at bebert@herzing.edu to request the NFLP Employment Certification and Request for Postponement of Payment forms.
You are welcome to contact Herzing University’s Career Development team by phone at (866) 208-3344 or email at careerdevelopment@herzing.edu.
You will lose the 3% interest rate and eligibility to cancel or postpone the loan. However, you will still have the option to consolidate this loan with your federal direct loans (if applicable).
Repayment
Yes, students have a 9-month grace period before the loans enter repayment. Students should also submit any requests for postponement of repayment before their 9-month grace period ends.
The NFLP loan is considered past-due 30 days beyond the repayment terms. If the loan becomes 180 days past due, the missed payments will be negatively reported to the credit bureau. This will also start acceleration – the full amount of the loan will be due and will go through the process of litigation. For more information, please contact our Alumni Support Team at alumnisupport@herzing.edu, 1-866-508-0748, Option 7, so that we can assist you.
A deferment form must be submitted to our Alumni Support –Financial Services team at least 30 days before an eligible activity. Activities eligible for a deferment include active duty in the military, volunteering in the Peace Corps, full-time or half-time enrollment in a nursing program leading to an additional graduate degree in nursing or an advanced professional training in nursing (e.g. fellowship and/or post-doctorate program). For more information, please contact our Alumni Support Team at alumnisupport@herzing.edu, 1-866-508-0748, Option 7, so that we can assist you.
If you switch your job, you must fill out a new NFLP Employment Verification within six months of starting your new position.
It varies based on enrollment status. Once a student graduates from HU, the interest rate will be 3% through the grace period and the additional three months while searching for qualified employment. However, you must secure full-time employment as a nurse faculty member for at least one full academic year to guarantee the 3% interest rate or it will increase to the prevailing market rate. If you withdraw from the university, the interest rate will coincide with the prevailing market rate of 11.5% - as of October 2023.
To receive loan cancellation, you must graduate from the program during the enrollment in which you used the NFLP loan and secure full-time employment as a nurse faculty member. Once you graduate, you are responsible for submitting the partial cancellation request form annually during the first four years of verification of qualifying full-time employment. You may qualify for partial cancellation after each complete year (or complete academic year) for up to four years of full-time nurse faculty employment in an accredited school of nursing.
The Nursing Faculty Loan Program is on a 10-year repayment term. Deferment and forbearance periods do not apply to the 10-year repayment period.
Taking advantage of this opportunity can be beneficial, especially for those who are unable to graduate or obtain full-time employment as nurse faculty within the first year of graduation. However, consolidating the loan may change the terms and result in the loss of partial cancellation benefits for graduates. For more information, please contact our Alumni Support Team at alumnisupport@herzing.edu, 1-866-508-0748, Option 7, so that we can assist you.
There’s a special process for adding an NFLP to a direct loan consolidation, here are instructions for that process.
University Accounting Services (UAS) is the servicer for your Nursing Faculty Loan. UAS will email you notifications throughout your enrollment, grace period, and repayment.
Student Commitment After the NFLP Loan
Within 12 months of graduating, recipients must meet the employment requirement as a faculty member at an accredited school of nursing. Upon the borrower's completion of the first, second and third year of full-time employment, 20% of the principal and interest of the NFLP loan will be canceled. Upon completion of the fourth year, 25% of principal and interest will be canceled. This will total 85% cancellation of the loan.
This information is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $294,980, with 10% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.