SUPPORTING NURSING
STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE
THEIR DREAMS
The Aspiring Nurse Program at WVU Medicine provides financial and human-centered support to nursing students enrolled at select schools in West Virginia and neighboring regions.
UP TO $25,000 PER STUDENT
Nursing students accepted into the program will receive up to $25,000 which includes a sign-on bonus and expense funding over the course of four semesters, in exchange for a three-year work commitment following graduation.
FIND YOUR SCHOOL
Allegany College of Maryland
in partnership with Garrett Regional Medical Center
Garrett Regional Medical Center is proud to partner with Allegany College of Maryland to offer students in the program receive financial assistance to help with life expenses while in nursing school. In addition to financial assistance, students are paired with a WVU Medicine local liaison to mentor them throughout nursing school and help during their transition to practice as a new RN.
Applications for the Aspiring Nurse Program are accepted from October 2 – 13, 2023.
Belmont College
Barnesville Hospital, Harrison Community Hospital, and Wheeling Hospital are proud to partner with Belmont College to offer students in the program receive financial assistance to help with life expenses while in nursing school. In addition to financial assistance, students are paired with a WVU Medicine local liaison to mentor them throughout nursing school and help during their transition to practice as a new RN.
Applications for the Aspiring Nurse Program are accepted from October 2 – 13, 2023.
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
in partnership with Berkeley Medical Center and Jefferson Medical Center
Berkeley Medical Center and Jefferson Medical Center are proud to partner with Blue Ridge Community and Technical College to offer students in the program receive financial assistance to help with life expenses while in nursing school. In addition to financial assistance, students are paired with a WVU Medicine local liaison to mentor them throughout nursing school and help during their transition to practice as a new RN.
Applications for the Aspiring Nurse Program are accepted from October 2 – 13, 2023.
Bluefield State University
in partnership with Princeton Community Hospital and Summersville Regional Medical Center
Princeton Community Hospital and Summersville Regional Medical Center are proud to partner with Bluefield State University to offer students in the program receive financial assistance to help with life expenses while in nursing school. In addition to financial assistance, students are paired with a WVU Medicine local liaison to mentor them throughout nursing school and help during their transition to practice as a new RN.
Applications for the Aspiring Nurse Program are accepted from October 2 – 13, 2023.
BridgeValley Community and Technical College
in partnership with Thomas Hospitals (Thomas and St. Francis)
Thomas Hospitals (Thomas and St. Francis) are proud to partner with BridgeValley Community and Technical College to offer students in the program receive financial assistance to help with life expenses while in nursing school. In addition to financial assistance, students are paired with a WVU Medicine local liaison to mentor them throughout nursing school and help during their transition to practice as a new RN.
Applications for the Aspiring Nurse Program are accepted until October 27, 2023.
Fairmont State University
in partnership with WVUH and United Hospital Center
WVUH (Fairmont Medical Center, Ruby Memorial Hospital, WVU Medicine Healthy Minds Center, and WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital) and United Hospital Center are proud to partner with Fairmont State University to offer students in the program receive financial assistance to help with life expenses while in nursing school. In addition to financial assistance, students are paired with a WVU Medicine local liaison to mentor them throughout nursing school and help during their transition to practice as a new RN.
Applications for the Aspiring Nurse Program are accepted from October 2 – 13, 2023.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY – UNITED HOSPITAL CENTER
Laurel College of Technology Morgantown
in partnership with WVUH
WVUH (Ruby Memorial Hospital, Fairmont Medical Center, WVU Medicine Healthy Minds, and WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital) are proud to partner with Laurel College of Technology Morgantown to offer students in the program receive financial assistance to help with life expenses while in nursing school. In addition to financial assistance, students are paired with a WVU Medicine local liaison to mentor them throughout nursing school and help during their transition to practice as a new RN.
Applications for the Aspiring Nurse Program are accepted from October 2 – 13, 2023.
Penn State University - Fayette
Uniontown Hospital is proud to partner with Penn State University- Fayette to offer students in the program receive financial assistance to help with life expenses while in nursing school. In addition to financial assistance, students are paired with a WVU Medicine local liaison to mentor them throughout nursing school and help during their transition to practice as a new RN.
Applications for the Aspiring Nurse Program are accepted from October 2 – 13, 2023.
WV Northern Community College
Reynolds Memorial Hospital and Wetzel County Hospital are proud to partner with WV Northern Community College to offer students in the program receive financial assistance to help with life expenses while in nursing school. In addition to financial assistance, students are paired with a WVU Medicine local liaison to mentor them throughout nursing school and help during their transition to practice as a new RN.
Applications for the Aspiring Nurse Program are accepted from October 2 – 13, 2023.
WV Junior College
in partnership with WVUH and United Hospital Center
WVUH (Fairmont Medical Center, Ruby Memorial Hospital, WVU Medicine Healthy Minds Center, and WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital) and United Hospital Center are proud to partner with WV Junior College to offer students in the program receive financial assistance to help with life expenses while in nursing school. In addition to financial assistance, students are paired with a WVU Medicine local liaison to mentor them throughout nursing school and help during their transition to practice as a new RN.
Applications for the Aspiring Nurse Program are accepted from October 2 – 13, 2023.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY – UNITED HOSPITAL CENTER
WV Wesleyan College
in partnership with St. Joseph’s Hospital
St. Joseph’s Hospital is proud to partner with WV Wesleyan College to offer students in the program receive financial assistance to help with life expenses while in nursing school. In addition to financial assistance, students are paired with a WVU Medicine local liaison to mentor them throughout nursing school and help during their transition to practice as a new RN.
Applications for the Aspiring Nurse Program are accepted until November 7, 2023.
WVU BA/BS-BSN
in partnership with WVUH and United Hospital Center
WVUH (Fairmont Medical Center, Ruby Memorial Hospital, WVU Medicine Healthy Minds Center, and WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital) and United Hospital Center are proud to partner with WVU BA/BS-BSN to offer students in the program receive financial assistance to help with life expenses while in nursing school. In addition to financial assistance, students are paired with a WVU Medicine local liaison to mentor them throughout nursing school and help during their transition to practice as a new RN.
Applications for the Aspiring Nurse Program are accepted from October 2 – 13, 2023.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY – UNITED HOSPITAL CENTER
WVU Parkersburg
in partnership with Camden Clark Medical Center
Camden Clark Medical Center is proud to partner with WVU Parkersburg to offer students in the program receive financial assistance to help with life expenses while in nursing school. In addition to financial assistance, students are paired with a WVU Medicine local liaison to mentor them throughout nursing school and help during their transition to practice as a new RN.
Applications for the Aspiring Nurse Program are accepted until November 2, 2023.
WVU School of Nursing - Potomac Campus
in partnership with Potomac Valley Hospital
WVU School of Nursing – Potomac Campus is proud to partner with Potomac Valley Hospital to offer students in the program receive financial assistance to help with life expenses while in nursing school. In addition to financial assistance, students are paired with a WVU Medicine local liaison to mentor them throughout nursing school and help during their transition to practice as a new RN.
Applications for the Aspiring Nurse Program are accepted from October 2 – 13, 2023.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND CLINICAL TRAINING
Each student accepted into the Aspiring Nurse Program will receive one-on-one support to ensure student success throughout their academic and clinical training. Upon acceptance, each student will be paired with a WVU Medicine local liaison who will provide mentorship during nursing school and as they acclimate to their patient care roles as new RNs.
During the program, students will complete clinical rotations at WVU Medicine hospitals to ensure they receive quality, hands-on clinical immersive experiences to assist them as they transition to professional nursing practice.
POST GRADUATION WORK COMMITMENT
Students are required a three-year work agreement with the partnering WVU Medicine hospital following the completion of the pre-licensure RN program. After graduation, new RNs completing the Aspiring Nurse Program must work full-time in an eligible direct care RN role for the entire duration of the three-year work agreement.
The work commitment is effective upon graduation and successful completion of the NCLEX-RN exam, within a maximum timeframe of 90 days post-graduation. A three-year work commitment is standard among all Aspiring Nurse Students, regardless of the time of acceptance into the program.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Students may receive up to $25,000 per the schedule below:
The Aspiring Nurse Program provides support specifically to students enrolled in pre-licensure RN programs at select schools. Eligible students must be admitted and actively enrolled in the nursing program prior to submitting an application to the WVU Medicine Aspiring Nurse Program.
Financial assistance awarded through the Aspiring Nurse Program is not based on individual financial aid status.
Students do not need to submit a FAFSA to WVU Medicine to be eligible for the program.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who’s eligible?
Students must be admitted and actively enrolled to a pre-licensure registered nursing program at a school with a formal Aspiring Nurse Program partnership with WVU Medicine prior to the application deadline.
Is the Aspiring Nurse Program only for current nursing students?
Yes, candidates must be accepted and already enrolled in the eligible nursing program at a partner school.
Are all nursing programs eligible for inclusion in the Aspiring Nurse Program?
No, this program is specifically designed to support students for up to 2 years of pre-licensure RN programs. RN-to-BSN programs, LPN programs, and graduate programs are not eligible to participate.
How do prospective candidates apply?
Review eligibility criteria. If eligible, complete the application online.
After local nursing leadership review, potential candidates will complete an in-person interview with leadership from the local hospital.
Do students have to complete a FAFSA to be in the Aspiring Nurse Program?
No, the Aspiring Nurse Program is not based on individual financial aid status.
How much money do students receive?
Students may receive up to $25,000 over the course of their nursing program, dependent on time of entry into the Aspiring Nurse Program.
How are payments made?
Upon acceptance to the Aspiring Nurse Program and signing of a three-year work agreement, students not currently employed at WVU Medicine will be asked to complete a W-9 form and will receive payment installments of $5,000 by check.
If a student is a current WVU Medicine employee, the process varies (see below).
Are current WVU Medicine employees eligible to be in the Aspiring Nurse Program?
Yes, current WVU Medicine employees are eligible to apply for the Aspiring Nurse Program. Employees’ money for the Aspiring Nurse Program is paid through payroll and is be considered earnings for the employee. Money paid for the Aspiring Nurse Program will be taxed appropriately.
Current employees are not able to participate in the Aspiring Nurse Program and seek tuition reimbursement concurrently.
Employees in the Aspiring Nurse Program commit to the same 3-year work agreement as external applicants, which does not begin until beginning work in a full-time, CAPE-eligible RN position. If a current employee has other work agreements in place with WVU Medicine, the 3-year work agreement obligation under the Aspiring Nurse Program will apply in addition to other existing work agreements.
What can the money be used for?
The money is intended to be used to support student needs throughout nursing school, which could include school expenses or other life expenses. Each student’s needs will vary, and the student will utilize discretion upon how best to handle the financial support provided by the Aspiring Nurse Program.
Is the money considered taxable income?
Yes, students receiving financial support through the Aspiring Nurse Program will be responsible for filing taxes and including the monies received as taxable income. Individuals not currently employed by WVU Medicine will receive a 1099 at the end of the year. Current WVU Medicine employees will receive the payments as earnings.
What is the work commitment?
Students participating in the Aspiring Nurse Program must agree to a work commitment with the partnering WVU Medicine facility for 3 years after graduating from the pre-licensure RN program.
The work agreement period is 3 years whether the student was accepted into the Aspiring Nurse Program in their first semester, second semester or third semester.
The work commitment will be upon graduation and successful completion of the NCLEX-RN exam, within a maximum amount of time of 90 days from graduation.
Students must work full-time in a CAPE-eligible RN role for the entire duration of the 3-year work agreement.
What happens if a student that received financial assistance does not finish school or does not fulfill their work agreement?
Students will be required to pay back the full amount of money paid to them plus interest, per the work agreement contract. This repayment may be paid immediately in one payment or over several payments including the principal balance plus interest in equal amortized monthly installments over a maximum of a 3-year period. This repayment is triggered immediately upon notice that the employee has defaulted from the requirements agreed upon in the work agreement contract.
If arrangements are not made or payments are missed, WVU Medicine will turn default agreements over for collections services.
What happens if a student has a bad semester due to a life event, but plans to stay in the nursing program to repeat a class?
WVU Medicine will utilize discretion to consider waiving a maximum of 1 unsuccessful semester on an individual basis.
The student must communicate to the hospital liaison the extenuating circumstances causing the unsuccessful outcome as soon as possible. The student will not receive duplicate funds for the unsuccessful semester when repeating the course, as outlined in the work agreement contract.
What if a student wants to transfer to another WVU Medicine facility before fulfilling the 3-year work agreement?
Upon agreement from both the sending and receiving hospital, WVU Medicine may approve a company transfer during the 3-year work agreement period. The 3-year work agreement would follow the employee to the receiving facility and remain enforceable until the entire work period obligation has been fulfilled.
Will payments be forgiven over time or do participants in the Aspiring Nurse Program have to fully complete the work commitment to have the payment forgiven?
The entirety of the money paid to the student will be required for repayment unless a full 3-year work agreement is completed, as outlined in the contract. It will not be pro-rated.
