Section 597.220  Selection Criteria for Award of Scholarships

a)         Scholarships awarded by the Department will be given to students who meet the eligibility requirements and who agree to the provisions of the contract.

b)         Recipients shall be selected on the basis of the following criteria:

1)         renewal recipients will receive preference;

2)         if in any year the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of scholarships to be awarded, the Department shall give priority in awarding scholarships to:

A)        students in the greatest financial need as shown on a current standardized financial needs assessment form used by an approved institution;

B)        students pursuing their education on a full-time or closest to full-time basis;

C)        students having the fewest number of credit hours remaining to complete the degree;

D)        students who already have a certificate in practical nursing, a hospital-based diploma in nursing or an associate degree in nursing and are pursing a higher degree;

E)         the recipient with the highest cumulative grade point average (GPA) as provided on a transcript or another official school form;

3)         in the event of a tie, a lottery shall be used to award scholarships.

c)         Scholarship awards shall be distributed as follows:

1)         at least 50% of the scholarship awarded shall be for recipients who are pursuing baccalaureate degrees in nursing;

2)         40% of the scholarships awarded shall be for recipients who are pursuing associate degrees in nursing or a hospital-based diploma in nursing; and

3)         10% of the scholarships awarded shall be for recipients who are pursuing a certificate in practical nursing. (Section 5 of the Law)

(Source:  Amended at 26 Ill. Reg. 16965, effective November 08, 2002)