NC S297

Establishes the Nursing Fellows Program at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) to provide forgivable loans to nursing students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing Education

Forgivable loans awarded up to $5,000 per semester or $2,500 per summer session, covering tuition, fees, books, and related expenses for up to 5 semesters (BSN students) or 9 semesters (those pursuing MSN in Nursing Education)

Loans forgiven at one-third per year for graduates who work as nurses in North Carolina or as nursing instructors in qualifying nursing programs; recipients must graduate within 10 years and complete 3 years of qualifying service

Appropriates $1,400,000 in recurring funds to the Nursing Fellows Program Trust Fund and $100,000 in recurring funds to WSSU for mentoring, coaching, and curriculum support services for nursing students

Program administered by the State Education Assistance Authority in cooperation with the WSSU Dean of Health Sciences, with first loans to be awarded for the 2026-2027 academic year; effective July 1, 2025