COLUMBIA, S.C. (courtesy che.sc.gov) – The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education announced Aug. 20 that students in eligible programs at South Carolina-based independent institutions can now receive up to $90,000 in tuition reimbursement to pursue graduate-level nursing educator credentials.
The BOLD™ (Better Outcomes, Less Debt) Career Pathways Nursing Faculty Loan Program, administered through the South Carolina Student Loan Corporation (SCSLC), launched in the 2023-24 school year and was initially available only to students in public institutions. The expanded guidelines stipulate that participants must be enrolled in regionally accredited, not-for-profit, South Carolina based, public and private institutions offering graduate-level Master of Science (MSN) programs, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Ph.D., or other like programs that prepare individuals for faculty roles.
The program covers up to $30,000 per academic year per student, with a maximum amount of $90,000. To receive tuition reimbursement following graduation, program participants must serve two years as nursing faculty within the state for every one year of tuition reimbursement they wish to access. Any amount borrowed may not exceed the cost of attendance.
“Expanding the nursing initiative to include students at these independent institutions marks an important step forward to ensure that our state has the skilled faculty needed to train the next generation of nurses,” said Dr. Jeff Perez, president and executive director of the S. C. Commission on Higher Education. “This program not only helps students avoid loan debt but reinforces South Carolina’s commitment to enhancing long-term healthcare outcomes across the state.”
“The nursing shortage in South Carolina requires innovative ways to ensure our South Carolina colleges can educate those interested in nursing in our state. We are proud to partner with the Commission on Higher Education to provide access to education in such a needed field,” said Ray Jones, Vice President of Loan Programs at SCSLC.
In addition to public institutions, students at the following independent institutions and programs are now eligible under the revised guidelines:
- Anderson University (MSN and DNP only)
- Charleston Southern University (MSN only)
- Claflin University (MSN only)
- Coker College (BSN to MSN Bridge Program)
- Limestone University (MSN only)
The General Assembly initially allocated $10 million in funding in the FY 2022-23 and FY 2023-24 General Appropriations Bills to address the nursing shortage in South Carolina. In addition to tuition reimbursement, efforts to combat the nursing shortage through higher education also included $5 million in the 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 budgets to supplement the salaries of existing nursing faculty at public universities, colleges and technical colleges with accredited nursing programs. Planning for the disbursement of the 2024-25 $5 million faculty salary supplement is currently underway.
Additional information on the tuition reimbursement and salary supplement allocations is available on the CHE Nursing Initiative page. Students can begin the application process at: scstudentloan.org/career-pathways/bold-nursing-faculty-program.
South Carolina update