Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 610-X-16 — Loan Repayment Program For Nursing Education

610 Alabama Board of Nursing

Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-16-.01 Definitions

(1) Participant: Any person who applies for and is awarded a loan, as provided in Article 8 of Title 34, Chapter 21, Code of Ala. 1975.

(2) Eligible Person:

(a) An applicant for admission to a qualified nursing education program approved by the board, who has signed a contract as provided in §34-21-152(b), Code of Ala. 1975.

(b) A student attending a qualified nursing education program approved by the board who is pursuing, or has completed within the five years immediately preceding the current loan term, a graduate degree and expresses the intent to become a nurse educator in a qualified nursing education program, who has signed a contract as provided in in §34—21—152(b), Code of Ala. 1975.

(3) Qualified Nursing Education Program. An accredited prelicensure nursing education program conducted by a public two—year or four-year institution of higher education in this state.

(4) Immediate: Within six months of graduation or receipt of loan. The Executive Officer may extend the timeline, in adverse circumstances, according to established Board staff guidelines.

(5) Period of Obligation: period during which a participant is obligated to work in a qualified nursing education program; 24 months per loan received.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Nursing
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-21-154.
• New Rule: Published September 29, 2023; effective November 13, 2023.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-16-.02 Participant Qualifications

An applicant for a graduate loan shall:

(1) Be a resident of the state of Alabama for at least one year preceding the time of making application for the loan.

(2) Have an active, unencumbered license as a registered nurse (RN) in Alabama.

(3) Be a person of good moral character.

(4) Be accepted for or have, within the five (5) years immediately preceding the loan period, completed an accredited graduate program in a qualified nursing education program; and

(5) Agree to work following graduation, or, in the case of a currently qualified nurse, immediately, as a full-time instructor in a qualified nursing education program for a period of 24 months for each annual loan received.

(6) Agree to designate the qualified nursing education program where the participant will work at the time specified by the Board.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Nursing
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-21-152.
• New Rule: Published September 29, 2023; effective November 13, 2023.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-16-.03 Loan Conditions

(1) Loans may be awarded for multiple years of graduate study, as specified in statute.

(2) Each loan is limited to a maximum of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000).

(3) Participants shall be selected from the state of Alabama at large and, to the extent practicable, distributed throughout the State.

(4) Participants shall agree. to provide verification of employment when requested by the Board.

(5) Participants shall sign a contract to repay the amount of the loan by working following graduation as full-time instructors in qualified nursing education programs for the time required in Code of Ala. 1975, §34—21-152.

(6) Participants shall notify the Board if any of the following conditions apply:

(a) Failure to complete the graduate nursing program when anticipated.

(b) Relocation.

(c) Employment following graduation from the graduate nursing program, as provided in this chapter.

(d) Failure to complete the minimum number of academic hours required by the loan repayment agreement.

(e) Withdrawal from the graduate nursing program.

(f) Termination of employment during the period of obligation.

(7) The Boards shall develop and prescript such forms of application, agreements, or other documents as may be necessary to implement this chapter.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Nursing
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-21-152.
• New Rule: Published September 29, 2023; effective November 13, 2023.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-16-.04 Application For Loan

(1) An applicant for the program shall submit an online application by the deadline established by the Board.

(2) Incomplete applications may not be considered.

(3) The applicant shall submit proof of:

(a) Residency in Alabama for one year prior to the date of application.

(b) Acceptance into or evidence of completion of an accredited graduate nursing program approved by the Board.

(4) Once selected, the applicant shall sign a loan repayment agreement for the total amount awarded.

(5) In the case of a currently eligible nurse, the applicant shall identify the employer with which the nurse will be employed during the period of obligation.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Nursing
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-21-154(c).
• New Rule: Published September 29, 2023; effective November 13, 2023.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-16-.05 Failure To Satisfy Conditions of Loan Repayment Program

(1) In the event that the participant defaults on or otherwise fails to honor the loan repayment agreement with the Board for any reason, the individual shall be liable for immediate repayment of the total principal loan amount plus interest and penalties, as specified in Code of Ala. 1975, §34-21-98.

(2) The Board may excuse repayment of a loan, in whole or part, upon the death of a participant, or upon the participant's becoming disabled to the extent that he or she is no longer able to engage in the practice of nursing, or upon some other extreme hardship not the fault of the participant.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Nursing
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-21-153.
• New Rule: Published September 29, 2023; effective November 13, 2023.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-16-.06 Disbursement Of Loan Funds

Payments to participants shall be made annually.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Nursing
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-21-154(c).
• New Rule: Published September 29, 2023; effective November 13, 2023.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 610-X-16-.07 Disciplinary Action

Failure to comply with the provisions of any contract or loan repayment agreement as provided in this Chapter shall constitute grounds for discipline up to and including revocation of the Participant's nursing license.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Nursing
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-21-153.
• New Rule: Published September 29, 2023; effective November 13, 2023.