Each year the Graduate Program applies for a federal grant that provides funds for graduate and doctorate nursing education. The traineeship for Advanced Education of Professional Nurses Program is administered by the Bureau of Health Professions, Department of Health and Human Services. The College is notified usually by mid-July of the amount money allocated for a twelve-month budget period, i.e., July 1 through June 30. Following this notification, students admitted to the Master and Doctorate Nursing programs are apprised of the availability of traineeship funds via email. The College does not know from year to year whether funds are available as they are dependent on legislative action.

The purpose of the federal dollars is to enable more advanced practice nurses to be in the work place faster by making it possible for them to go full-time as opposed to part-time. The criteria stipulated by the grant is that students need to be following a full-time plan for a particular track or be in their third year and will complete the program in twelve months.

Allocation of funds depends on amount granted which will very each semester and the number of eligible students applying. Student eligibility is determined on a semester basis; you must meet the requirements each semester.

Eligibility for Traineeship
1. Submit required forms by August 15 of each year.
a. Traineeship Application
b. Traineeship HPSA Form
c. Traineeship Statement of Appointment
2. Meet the grantee institution's admission requirements for graduate study and be fully admitted to the nursing program.
3. Be a United States Citizen, non-citizen national, or foreign national who posseses a visa permitting permanent residence in the United States.
4. Have graduated from a State approved school of nursing.
5. Be currently licensed as a registered/professional nurse in a State.
6. Be enrolled on the Full-time track schedule in a particular track or Part-time in last year.
7. Receiving 50% or less funding by an employer.

To Maintain Eligibility a student must:
1. Maintain full-time status (complete in 2 years) or part-time and will complete progam within 12 months
2. Maintain 3.0 GPA
3. Have no Incompletes (An "I" is not acceptable and prohibits any futher award. To maintain eligibility all "I's" need to be completed one week prior to the start of the classes the following semester. An "IP" in Research Study is permitted IF SUBSTANTIAL WORK FOR THAT SEMESTER IS EVIDENT.
4. Will consent to provide DHHS data regarding professional activity for 3 years following graduation, whenever requested by CSS.