VSAC transferred the servicing of your Federal Student loans to American Education Services and the guarantee of all VSAC Federal Student loans to the Trellis Company, an approved Federal Guaranty Agency, over the weekend of March 16th. CLICK HERE for more information.
Pursue a career as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner—tuition free
An interest-free, forgivable loan which pays up to 100% of tuition.
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A program to increase the number of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners in Vermont
More psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners are needed to fill available positions in hospitals and health care facilities across Vermont. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners can provide a rewarding opportunity to help people in a variety of settings, with pathways for advancement, solid earning potential, and educational growth. VSAC and the Vermont Department of Health have teamed up to offer a program that covers up to full tuition to qualified recipients pursuing a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner career in Vermont.
Funded by the Vermont Legislature, the Vermont Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners Forgivable Loan Program is open to students enrolled at an accredited school approved for federal Title IV funding anywhere in the U.S., with preference given to Vermont institutions.
Funding is awarded to qualifying applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds have been depleted.
Awards are in the form of an interest-free loan that is forgiven when the recipient signs a promissory note and has completed the following work obligation:
- Completion of one year of full-time employment as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner in Vermont following licensure for each year of assistance received
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
- Vermont or non-Vermont residents
- Be a current nurse practitioner or registered nurse enrolled (or enrolling) in graduate level nursing courses that prepare you to take the American Nursing Credentialing Center competency exam for the PMHNP-BC certification.
- Enroll at least half-time
- Maintain good standing at your school
- Agree to work as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner in Vermont for a minimum of one year following PMHNP-BC certification and licensure, for each year of forgivable loan awarded
- Attend an accredited school approved for federal Title IV funding (Pell grants, federal Direct loans).
You must also complete a promissory note agreeing to repayment of the loan if the employment service commitment is not met.
HOW MUCH IS THE AWARD?
Recipients are eligible for up to $17,650 at a Vermont private or out-of-state institution.
This award can be used to pay for tuition, fees, room, board and the cost of books and supplies.
HOW DO I APPLY?
- Complete the Unified Scholarship Application online through your MyVSAC account, click on Work with VSAC-Assisted Scholarships, look for “Submit Application” and “Unified Scholarship Application (USA)” and follow the instructions.
- Complete the FAFSA for the academic year you’re attending or planning to attend a qualifying program.
- Submit essay #1 (general essay) and official transcript. For more information on these required documents, review the Scholarships for Vermonters booklet.
- If selected as a recipient by the selection committee, recipients sign a promissory note when they accept funding that commits them to the following work arrangements. The loan will be forgiven when these work obligations are met:
- Successfully complete the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program
- Pass the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner exam
- Receive your Vermont psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner license
- Work for one year as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner for each year they receive funding
- Work full-time in Vermont as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, employed directly by a Vermont health care provider, for a minimum of one year following licensure for each year of funding received
WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?
Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until all funds have been awarded.
WHAT IS AN INTEREST-FREE FORGIVABLE LOAN?
The State of Vermont offers several forgivable loan programs to encourage students to enter the Vermont workforce in specific high-demand fields. These unique loans:
- Are interest-free
- Require awarded students to sign a promissory note committing to specific work obligations when they accept the funding
- Do not require payment while the student is enrolled in the applicable degree or training program
- Are “forgiven” — which means that the loan does not have to be paid back — when the student meets the work obligations outlined in the promissory note they signed
- Must be repaid if the student doesn't complete the program, doesn't receive their license, or doesn't work in the field in Vermont following licensure
For example: Mary received $16,000 in a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner forgivable loan program to study psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Vermont Tech for her senior year. Upon completion of the program, Mary took her psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner exams and received her license and began working as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner in Vermont. One year later her employment was verified, and the loan was forgiven!
IS THERE OTHER FUNDING AVAILABLE?
Vermont residents may also qualify for the Vermont Grant.
QUESTIONS:
- about your application or status? Contact VSAC or call 888-253-4819.
- about available programs at participating schools? Contact your school directly.
Education Professionals
promote the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners Program to students