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BSN Workforce Enhancement Scholarship FAQs

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General 

  1. What is a service scholarship? A service scholarship is a scholarship that requires the recipient to fulfill a service obligation. If Recipient chooses not to fulfill the service obligation, then the scholarship funds with interest must be repaid. See the Service Scholarships webpage for more information.
  2. Who is eligible for the UMMC BSN Workforce Enhancement Scholarship?  Students enrolled or accepted for enrollment in UMMC’s Traditional or Accelerated BSN program are eligible for this scholarship. 
  3. Is the UMMC BSN Workforce Enhancement Scholarship a loan?  Yes, this scholarship is structured as a ‘forgivable’ loan. There is an employment service commitment required for forgiveness eligibility.
  4. How do I ensure that the loan I receive is forgiven? You must meet the required employment commitment to receive forgiveness of 100% of the amount you receive.

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Applying for and Accepting this Scholarship

  1. Do I have to accept the scholarship for every semester I am in the UMMC Accelerated or Traditional BSN program? No. The online application must be completed each and every academic semester for which the Applicant seeks this scholarship, and Recipient must apply for and accept the scholarship. Recipient must agree to a service commitment of one-year for each semester that the scholarship award is accepted and received by Recipient.
  2. Do I have to apply for the scholarship every semester? Yes, the online application must be completed each and every academic semester for which the Applicant seeks this scholarship, and Recipient must apply for and accept the scholarship.
  3. Should I also file for financial aid to supplement all other expenses? That is an individual decision to be made by you.
  4. If I accept the scholarship will this negate any further student aid offered federally or through institutional scholarships? Acceptance of this scholarship award will not affect your eligibility for other available student aid for which you are qualified. However, please note that you are only eligible for a total aid package up to the total cost of attendance for the program. Visit the SON estimated cost of attendance page for additional information.
  5. What if I have already been awarded a financial aid award? You are only eligible for a total aid package up to the total cost of attendance for the program. Therefore, if you choose to accept this scholarship award, other aid you have received (including loans) may be reduced. Visit the SON estimated cost of attendance page for additional information.
  6. How long will it take for the scholarship award money to be applied to my account? The timeline for the scholarship award to be disbursed depends in part on when you sign your contract and when you accept the award in WorkDay. Consult the disbursement schedule found on the Office of Student Financial Services website.
  7. How will I be notified that the award has been applied to my account? You can access information about your account in WorkDay.
  8. What is the interest rate on the loan? If Recipient fails to satisfy all required UMMC pre-employment qualifications and/or fails to begin employment in a full-time qualifying bedside nursing position no later than one hundred twenty (120) days after graduation from the BSN Program or is terminated for cause from UMMC during the service commitment period, unless due to a reduction in workforce, Recipient will be required to repay in full the scholarship awarded. Recipient agrees that any amounts due and owing under this contract, subject to applicable law, may be taken from his or her final paycheck. The remaining balance, if any, will convert to a loan repayable over a one-year period at the annual interest rate of 8% with a minimum required payment of one thousand dollars ($1000) per month. Upon termination, the scholarship will convert to a loan that may be reported to a credit bureau and will be accelerated and assigned to a collection agency after ninety (90) days past due.
  9. Can I deduct student loan interest on my tax return? Typically, student loan interest is deductible, but each individual’s tax situation is different and you should seek the advice of a tax professional to determine if you are able to deduct student loan interest. However, interest is only charged if the Recipient fails to satisfy all required UMMC pre-employment qualifications and/or fails to begin employment in a full-time qualifying bedside nursing position no later than one hundred twenty (120) days after graduation from the BSN Program or is terminated for cause from UMMC during the service commitment period.
  10. Are there any other hidden fees (i.e., processing fees) associated with the loan that are incurred? There are no processing fees specific to this scholarship. All applicable potential costs/fees will be clearly referenced in the contract.
  11. Will I be provided a copy of my signed scholarship contract? Once signed, you will be able to download a copy of the signed scholarship contract from the scholarship processing system.

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Employment Commitment

  1. What employment commitment is required? For each semester you accept and receive the scholarship award, you will be required to work in a Qualifying Position at UMMC for one year. As an example, if you accept and receive the scholarship for four (4) semesters, you will be required to meet a four (4) year employment commitment. The employment commitment applies to being directly hired by UMMC and not being hired through Healthier Mississippi People or other staffing agencies. The service commitment begins no later than one hundred twenty (120) days after graduation from the UMMC Accelerated or Traditional BSN program. The commitment period will begin after completing the ninety (90) day orientation period required for the full-time qualifying bedside nursing position with UMMC.
  2. What are the different types of positions that I could accept to meet the program’s employment commitment? Qualifying positions are determined by UMMC health system leadership and are subject to change depending on staffing needs.
  3. Is there a set number of days after graduation that I am required to accept a job with UMMC before being required to repay the loan? Employment in a full-time qualifying bedside nursing position must begin no later than one hundred twenty (120) days after graduation from the BSN Program. Within ten (10) days of completing the ninety (90) day orientation period and annually thereafter, Recipient must provide the Office of Student Financial Services via email to acct-studentsloans@umc.edu with written verification of full-time UMMC employment in a qualifying bedside nursing position. The commitment period will begin after completing the ninety (90) day orientation period required for the qualifying direct-patient care position with UMMC. 
  4. How will my time be tracked as time served in a qualifying position? The employment commitment requires one-year for each semester that the award is accepted and received by Recipient. Recipient’s service is tracked by the Office of Financial Aid, which requires student documentation and electronic verification. Employment in a full-time qualifying bedside nursing position must begin no later than one hundred twenty (120) days after graduation from the BSN Program. Within ten (10) days of completing the ninety (90) day orientation period and annually thereafter, Recipient must provide the Office of Student Financial Services via email to acct-studentsloans@umc.edu with written verification of full-time UMMC employment in a qualifying bedside nursing position.
  5. What if I gain full-time employment in qualifying position and it is decided that it is not the best fit for me? Recipient will be eligible to transfer to a full-time bedside nursing position in another UMMC unit after one year of qualifying service.
  6. What will my salary be with UMMC in a full-time qualifying bedside nursing position?  RN Salaries are continuously reviewed by UMMC to determine market competitiveness. General RN salary information is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Repayment

  1. How will the loan repayment work? If Recipient fails to satisfy all required UMMC pre-employment qualifications and/or fails to begin employment in a full-time qualifying bedside nursing position no later than one hundred twenty (120) days after graduation from the BSN Program or is terminated for cause from UMMC during the service commitment period, unless due to a reduction in workforce, Recipient will be required to repay in full the scholarship awarded. The amounts due may be taken from Recipient’s final paycheck. The remaining balance, if any, will convert to a loan repayable over a one-year period at the annual interest rate of 8% with a minimum required payment of one thousand dollars ($1000) per month. Upon termination, the scholarship will convert to a loan that may be reported to a credit bureau and will be accelerated and assigned to a collection agency after ninety (90) days past due.

    The obligation to repay the award may be partially or totally discharged for the following reasons:
    1. Death - UMMC will discharge the total amount owed on this default penalty award.
    2. Total and Permanent Disability - If the Recipient becomes totally and permanently disabled after he or she receives this scholarship, UMMC will discharge the total amount owed on this award.

      This award cannot be dissolved in bankruptcy.
  2. If I am unable to find a job during this time frame or choose to take a job elsewhere during the time frame specified, will I be required to pay interest, if paid within that timeframe? If you do not qualify for and accept offered employment at UMMC in a full-time qualifying bedside nursing position, then you will be required to repay in full the scholarship awarded, and the balance will convert to a loan repayable over a one-year period at the annual interest rate of 8% with a minimum required payment of one thousand dollars ($1000) per month. interest and the repayment period will begin 120 days after you graduate. You will be required to repay the full amount of the scholarship you received.
  3. Are there any other ways for this loan to be forgiven (i.e. working for another public hospital or state agency)?  Only employment at UMMC in a full-time qualifying bedside nursing position will satisfy the employment commitment requirements of the scholarship. Death, total/permanent disability, or separation from UMMC employment due to reduction in force are criteria for which forgiveness may occur.
  4. Can this loan ever be garnished from my check? Yes, this loan can be garnished from you check. If you do not meet your employment commitment and do not repay the amount owed as required, your paycheck may be subject to garnishment.
  5. Will this loan be forgiven if for some reason bankruptcy is declared? Absent unusual and specific circumstances, student loans are generally not dischargeable in bankruptcy proceedings.
  6. Is there any way to defer repayment should I choose to leave my job at UMMC in a full-time qualifying bedside nursing position before serving my full employment commitment? No, there is no way to defer repayment should you choose to leave your full-time qualifying bedside nursing position at UMMC. Your repayment obligation will begin immediately if you breach the contract.

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Academic Program 

  1. What will happen in the event that I fail a semester? So long as you remain continuously enrolled in the program, you remain eligible for the award; however, your service commitment will be based on the number of semesters you accept the award, regardless of the number of hours for which you are enrolled during any particular semester. If you are no longer participating in the program, then you will be required to repay the scholarship amount previously disbursed. If you go on LOA but still plan to complete the program, you will need to request a waiver to delay repayment.
  2. How will I register for future classes if there is an outstanding balance on my account? Visit Student Accounting's Billing and Payment page for additional details.

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To learn more, please contact Clinical Recruitment by calling/texting (601) 213-7068 or emailing clinicalrecruitment@umc.edu.