The Nursing Education Forgivable Loan, RN to MSN will be awarded to provide educational opportunities to students who wish to continue their education in nursing and to address Mississippi's nursing shortage by providing a constant source of qualified nurses. NERM awards will be made available, to the extent of appropriated funds, to persons seeking a master's degree in nursing through an approved RN to MSN bridge program at one Mississippi institution of higher learning in exchange for employment in professional nursing or teaching in an accredited school of nursing in the State of Mississippi. The loan can be forgiven on the basis of one academic year of full-time teaching in an accredited school of nursing in Mississippi in exchange for one year of loan received; or one year of service in professional nursing in exchange for one year of loan received. For those that receive prorated funding over four calendar years, three years of service are required. Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis, as funding is available. However, priority is given to eligible renewal applicants. Applicants must be a legal resident of the State of Mississippi for one year prior to application. They must be fully admitted and enroll at an eligible accredited School of Nursing; and hold a current, valid Mississippi nursing license. Applicants must not be currently in default or delinquent on any federal, state, or local educational loan. New applicants must submit an official letter of acceptance from an accredited nursing school, showing full admission, date admitted and entering classification. New applicants must also submit a copy of their current Mississippi nursing license. New applicants and some renewal applicants with a break in enrollment will be required to submit two forms of residency documentation. Preferred residency documents are FAFSA and Mississippi driver's license. Alternate residency documents that may be accepted are State Tax Return (not Federal) for the current tax filing year; homestead exemption; voter registration; or vehicle registration. The application deadline is March 31 and the deadline for the submission of required documents is June 30. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid for more information.