NTSPM – Nursing Teacher Stipend Forgivable Loan, MSN
Program Overview:
The primary objectives of this program are to provide educational opportunities to students who wish to continue their nursing education and to address Mississippi’s nurse educator shortage by providing a constant source of qualified nurse educators. NTSP-Masters awards will be made available, to the extent of appropriated funds, to persons seeking a master’s degree in nursing at one Mississippi institution of higher learning in exchange for teaching in an accredited school of nursing in the State of Mississippi.
Rules and Regulations:
Important Dates:
Application dates: October 1 – March 31
Document deadline: June 30
Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis, as funding is available. However, priority is given to eligible renewal applicants.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Be a legal resident of the State of Mississippi for one year prior to application.
- Be fully admitted and enroll full-time in a first master’s of science in nursing program at an eligible accredited School of Nursing.
- Hold a current, valid Mississippi nursing license
- Have and maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher 0n a 4.0 scale each semester/trimester.
- Participate also in the Nursing Education Forgivable Loan Program (NELM) while pursuing the MSN degree.
- Agree to teach in an accredited school of nursing in the State of Mississippi upon degree completion.
- You have not received and are not currently receiving funds from the Rural Health Program.
- You are not currently in default or delinquent on any federal, state, or local educational loan.
Award Amount and Length of Eligibility:
- The NTSP participant pursuing an MSN degree is eligible to receive $1,000 per month, not to exceed one (1) calendar year or $12,000.
Service Obligation:
- NTSP is first and foremost a loan. The loan debt can be forgiven (discharged) on the basis of two (2) year’s of full-time teaching service for one (1) year of forgivable loan received; four (4) year’s of 0.50 FT (total) part-time/adjunct teaching for one (1) year of forgivable loan received; and eight (8) year’s of 0.25 FTE (total) part-time/adjunct teaching for one (1) year of forgivable loan received at an accredited school of nursing in the State of Mississippi.
- LIABILITY: Forgivable loan recipients who choose not to fulfill the service obligation will be required to repay the loan in full with interest.
To Apply:
- Complete the online application. The online application must be completed each and every academic year for which the applicant seeks aid.
- New applicants (those who have not previously received a NELP award) must submit an official letter of acceptance from an accredited nursing school, showing full admission, date admitted and entering classification.
- New applicants must submit a copy of their current Mississippi nursing license.
- New applicants must provide a letter of recommendation from the dean/director of a Mississippi program of nursing with an accompanying letter of stated intended employment upon completion of the program of study.
- New applicants and some renewal applicants with a break in enrollment will be required to submit two forms of residency documentation:
Preferred Residency Documents:
- FAFSA
- Mississippi driver’s license (can be submitted electronically during the online application)
Alternate Residency Documents Accepted:
- State Tax Return (NOT Federal) for the current tax filing year.
- Homestead Exemption
- Voter Registration
- Vehicle Registration
NOTE: Our office receives FAFSA results electronically for all Mississippi residents. When possible, the state tax return or Mississippi driver’s license pending document will be replaced by the FAFSA.
Documents must be RECEIVED, not postmarked, by the published document deadline date of June 30.
How to Submit Supporting Documents
After the Application – the NTSP Award Process:
- If funding is available, the Office will make award offers as soon as possible after receiving an appropriation, but no later than mid-June.
- To accept an award, new applicants must sign a Master Contract and Note, which includes the program Rules and Regulations. The contract will be signed electronically.
- New and renewal applicants must sign a Private Loan Self-Certification Form every year for which the applicant receives funds. The self-certification form will be signed electronically.
- When the Contract and Self-certification form have been received, the Office will notify the student’s attending institution that the student has been awarded.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Is NTSP available to me for the summer term(s)?
Yes. NTSP is available during summer. - What if I drop classes during the semester?
Each semester your NTSP award is calculated based on your full-time enrollment. If you drop below full-time during the semester, your award will be cancelled. - Why must I reapply every year?
Current legislation requires “…the board shall create a renewal application for each student who received the award for one or more terms during the immediately preceding academic year.” At a minimum, a student must file the following renewal document no later than the close of business on the deadline date: online application. - What if my GPA does not meet the minimum requirement?
If your cumulative GPA is less than 3.0 at the end of a semester/trimester, you will lose the NTSP award for the next semester/trimester of enrollment during a normal academic year. In order to regain eligibility, your cumulative GPA must meet the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement. - If I am currently enrolled in the MSN program at the time of application, will my grades be checked before I am eligible for an award?
Yes. If your cumulative GPA is less than 3.0 at the end of the semester/trimester, you will not be eligible for the NTSP Program. - As a recipient of NTSP, I have a contractual obligation to teach in an accredited school of nursing in Mississippi after graduation. What if I am unable to find a job immediately after graduation?
All recipients are eligible for a one-year (12-month) grace period while seeking employment. After one year, recipients must submit documentation of proper employment or start making payments to repay the loan. - May I receive funds to pursue another nursing degree prior to completion of my service obligation required for NTSP?
No. Students who receive NTSP funds are required to fulfill the service obligation before becoming eligible for nursing funds for another program of study. - How do I submit supporting documents to the Office of Student Financial Aid?
How to Submit Supporting Documents
