Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by New York State Higher Education Services Corporation

Description

The Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship provides financial support to registered nurses pursuing a graduate degree that qualifies them to work as nursing faculty or adjunct clinical faculty in New York State. Awards can fund master’s or doctoral study at an approved, accredited New York college and are intended to increase the supply of qualified nursing educators across New York. This program pays awards annually, with recipients subject to a post-graduation teaching obligation. The scholarship is available to both full- and part-time graduate students who meet licensure and academic requirements.

Key takeaways:
- Supports RNs in graduate programs that lead to nursing faculty or adjunct clinical faculty roles in NYS.
- Available for master’s or doctoral level study at accredited NYS institutions.
- Awards paid annually and tied to a post-graduation service commitment.
- Open to both full-time and part-time graduate students.

Eligibility

**Citizenship & Residency**
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens and legal residents of New York State who have lived in the state for 12 continuous months. Non-New York State residents, including undocumented students, should apply for eligibility under the NYS DREAM Act before submitting a scholarship application.

**Licensing & Academic Credentials**
Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree and be a registered nurse licensed to practice in New York State. They must enroll in a qualifying graduate program (master’s or doctoral) that prepares them to serve as nursing faculty or adjunct clinical faculty in New York.

**Academic Standing & GPA**
Applicants must be in good academic standing. If the applicant has already completed a semester in the qualifying graduate program, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.

Key takeaways:
- Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen and NYS legal resident for 12 months (DREAM Act for non-residents).
- RN license in NYS and an undergraduate degree are required.
- Enrollment in a qualifying graduate faculty-preparation program in NYS is necessary.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required if a semester of graduate study has already been completed.

Award Value

**Maximum Amount & Cap**
The scholarship provides up to $20,000 per year or the average cost of attendance at a state-operated SUNY graduate program, whichever is less. Award amounts are reduced by the value of any other financial aid the student receives.

**Allocation Rules**
Awards are contingent on fund availability and are awarded annually. Priority is given to prior recipients when funds are limited; new applicants are ranked by GPA and RN experience, with tied scores sometimes resolved by lottery.

Key takeaways:
- Up to $20,000 per year, capped at the SUNY state-operated average cost of attendance.
- Award amounts are reduced by other financial aid.
- Annual awards depend on available funds; prior recipients have priority.
- New applicants are ranked by GPA and nursing experience; ties may go to lottery.

Duration

**Length of Support**
Funding can be provided for up to three academic years of graduate study and may be used toward only one graduate degree under this scholarship. The number of years awarded depends on the length of the qualifying program and available funding.

Key takeaways:
- Scholarship covers up to three academic years of graduate study.
- Usable for one graduate degree only.
- Actual award length depends on program length and fund availability.

Application Timeline

**Annual Cycle & Required Forms**
The scholarship operates on an annual award cycle. Recipients must complete the FAFSA and the TAP application (or the NYS DREAM Act application for eligible noncitizens) each year to receive payment.

**Selection Timing**
Because awards are limited by funding, applicants should apply early in the annual cycle. Selection for new applicants is based on ranking criteria (GPA and RN experience), with prior recipients given priority.

Key takeaways:
- Scholarship is awarded annually; reapply each year for payment.
- FAFSA and TAP (or NYS DREAM Act) must be submitted every year.
- Apply early; selection depends on ranking and available funds.
- Prior recipients receive priority in funding decisions.

Financial & Administrative Requirements

**Income & Loan Status**
There are no income limits to qualify for the scholarship. However, applicants must be in good standing (not in default) on any NYS or federal education loans or on repayment of any NYS award.

**Service Obligation & Conflicts**
Applicants may not have an active service obligation to New York State or another entity at the time of application. The scholarship requires a formal service contract that outlines post-graduation obligations.

Key takeaways:
- No household income limits for eligibility.
- Must be in non-default (good) standing on student loans and NYS awards.
- Cannot have an existing active service obligation to NYS or another entity.
- A signed service contract will be required.

Post-Graduation Requirements

**Teaching Obligation**
Recipients must agree to teach at least 12 academic credit hours (or the equivalent) per year as nursing faculty or adjunct clinical faculty at a New York State institution for four years. Teaching must begin within three years of completing the graduate degree.

**Failure to Comply**
If a recipient fails to meet the service obligation as defined in the scholarship contract, all award payments will convert to a 10-year student loan with interest. The interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan and is equal to the annual PLUS loan rate set by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the service contract is signed.

Key takeaways:
- Obligation: teach 12 credit hours (or equivalent) per year for four years in NYS.
- Teaching must begin within three years of degree completion.
- Failure to fulfill the service contract converts awards to a 10-year loan with fixed interest.
- Loan interest equals the PLUS loan rate in effect when the contract is signed.

History of the Award

The scholarship is named for Senator Patricia K. McGee and is focused on increasing the number of qualified nursing faculty in New York State. Its purpose is to strengthen the nursing education pipeline by supporting graduate training that leads directly to faculty roles. The program ties financial support to a clear service expectation to ensure investment returns to New York’s healthcare and education systems.

Key takeaways:
- Named for Senator Patricia K. McGee.
- Designed to expand the pool of nursing faculty in NYS.
- Links graduate funding with a four-year teaching commitment to benefit NYS institutions.

For full legal and procedural details, applicants should review the official Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship Program contract and the scholarship application instructions provided by the administering agency.