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GENERAL INFORMATION
The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) is seeking applications for its new Nursing School Grant Program. The program was created on July 11, 2006 when Public Act 94-1020 was signed into law establishing several new nursing initiatives in Illinois. The purpose of the Nursing School Grant Program is to increase the number of nurses graduating from Illinois institutions of higher learning prepared for careers as registered nurses. On October 10, 2006, the IBHE adopted emergency rules that will be used as guidelines to administer the program (see attached).
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS
Participation in this program is open to Illinois institutions of higher learning offering Associate and Baccalaureate level registered nursing degree programs that meet certain conditions. Institutions offering Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs must: be approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR); be accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC); and have an articulation agreement in place with at least 1 institution of higher learning that offers a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Institutions offering Baccalaureate (BSN or RN-BSN Completion) programs must also be approved by the IDFPR and be accredited by either the NLNAC or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
GRANT CATEGORIES
The Nursing School Grant Program will offer competitive grants in 2 categories: Expansion Grants and Improvement Grants.
- Expansion Grants will support high-performing nursing schools for the purpose of expanding nursing program capacity and increasing the number of student preparing for careers as registered nurses.
- Improvement Grants will provide support to nursing schools to make program improvements aimed at increasing licensure exam (NCLEX-RN) pass rates.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Expansion Grant: ADN and BSN programs at eligible institutions must meet both of the following conditions: NCLEX-RN pass rates for first-time test-takers must be equal to or greater than 90 percent, and program attrition rates must be equal to or less than 15 percent. RN-BSN completion programs must have a program attrition rate equal to or less than 15 percent.
Improvement Grant: ADN and BSN programs at eligible institutions must meet one of the following conditions: NCLEX-RN pass rates for first-time test-takers must be less than 90 percent, or program attrition rates must be greater than 15 percent. RN-BSN programs must have a program attrition rate greater than 15 percent.
Note: Program attrition rate is generally defined as the number of students that do not complete a program expressed as a percentage of the total number of students who entered the program as a cohort. Institutions are required to submit their nursing program attrition rates, as well as their institutional methodology.
GRANT AWARDS
Based on the fiscal year 2007 appropriation totaling $1.5 million, it is estimated that approximately 4 to 5 Expansion Grants and approximately 3 to 6 Improvement Grants will be awarded. The number of grant awards made in both categories will be determined by the number of qualified applications received, the size of the institution (as defined by the number of degrees conferred), and the amount of available funding. Ninety percent of the appropriation will be used to support Expansion Grants and 10 percent of program funding will be used to support Improvement Grants. It is anticipated that Expansion Grants will range in amount from approximately $100,000 to $500,000 and Improvement Grants will range from approximately $25,000 to $50,000.
USE OF FUNDS
Expansion Grant funds may be used to expand nursing program capacity and increase the number of students preparing for careers as registered nurses. Funds may be used to:
- hire additional qualified nursing faculty;
- develop or expand instructional programs (e.g., online, weekend, etc.);
- develop or expand academic support programs;
- increase/improve classroom space, secure additional clinical sites
- purchase equipment;
- prepare a program audit; and
- conduct a program evaluation. (NOTE: Expansion Grant recipients will be required to conduct a program evaluation to determine the outcomes of the grant. An independent external evaluator, approved by the IBHE, will conduct the evaluation.)
Improvement Grant funds may be used to improve instructional quality, increase student retention, and increase NCLEX-RN pass rates. Funds may be used to:
- develop or expand academic support services;
- improve existing classroom space;
- purchase equipment and other instructional materials needed to enhance program instruction; and
- conduct a program audit.
APPLICATION DUE DATE
The application materials for the Nursing School Grant Program are provided in the following pages of this document/posting. The Emergency Rules adopted by the IBHE at its October 10th meeting are also attached.
Completed applications are due December 14, 2006. If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact Mr. Terry Nunn at 217-782-2551 or by sending an e-mail to grants@ibhe.org.
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