FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Yes, candidates must be accepted and already enrolled in the eligible nursing program at a partner school.

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.

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.

No, the Aspiring Nurse Program is not based on individual financial aid status.

Students may receive up to $25,000 over the course of their nursing program, dependent on time of entry into the Aspiring Nurse Program.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.