Program Overview

The Florida Legislature established the Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness Program (NSLFP) in 1989 to encourage qualified personnel to seek employment in areas of the state where critical nursing shortages exist. The program provides funds to assist in the repayment of nursing education loans.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant must:

• Be licensed as an LPN, RN, or ARNP in the state of Florida
• Have loans incurred toward a nursing education
• Work full-time at one of the designated employment sites established in Section 1009.66, Florida Statutes (listed below)

Designated Employment Sites and Facilities

• State of Florida operated medical and healthcare facilities
• Public schools
• Department of Health county health departments
• Federally sponsored community health centers
• Teaching hospitals*
• Family practice teaching hospitals*
• Specialty hospitals for children*
• Match facilities - Other Florida licensed hospitals, birth centers and nursing homes must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis by contributions from the employing institutions.

    * As defined by statute

Loan Payment

• From funds available, the program may make nursing education loan repayments of up to $4000 per year, per nurse enrolled in the program, for a maximum of four years.
• Payment is made at the end of each 12 month enrollment period and made directly to the participant’s lender.
• Enrollment and payment of awards is based on available funds.

Enrollment Dates and Application Timeframes

NEW APPLICATION TIMEFRAMES	DEADLINE	ENROLLMENT DATE	QUARTER
May 1 - June 1	June 1	July 1	1st
August 1 - September 1	September 1	October 1	2nd
November 1 - December 1	December 1	January 1	3rd
February 1 - March 1	March 1	April 1	4th

Enrollment Dates and Renewal Timeframes

RENEWAL TIMEFRAMES	DEADLINE	ENROLLMENT DATE	QUARTER
June 1	July 31	July 1	1st
September 1	October 31	October 1	2nd
December 1	January 31	January 1	3rd
March 1	April 30	April 1	4th

Program Links

Initial Application Packet

The Renewal Packet is closed until next quarter.

Designated Sites

FAQ

Laws and Rules

Additional Resources

Contact Us

Important Notice - Income Tax Reporting

Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness Program payments made to participants are considered exempt from federal income taxes.

The Affordable Care Act of 2010 amends the Internal Revenue Code section 108(f) and retroactively expands the tax exclusion for amounts received under state loan repayment or loan forgiveness programs that are intended to increase the availability of health care services in underserved areas. Below is a link to the Internal Revenue Service News Release: IRS Link