​New Jersey Offers Student Loan Relief to Nursing Faculty as Part of Ongoing Efforts to Address Nurse Shortage

Professionals Teaching Future Nurses at Eligible Institutions Can Apply for HESAA Student Loan Redemption Program throughout February

TRENTON, NJ - Nursing professionals teaching at eligible New Jersey institutions can now apply for up to $50,000 in student loan relief under the Nursing Faculty Loan Redemption Program offered by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA). The program aims to help alleviate the statewide nursing shortage by incentivizing qualified professionals to teach nursing students who will strengthen the Garden State health care workforce. ​

Full- and part-time faculty with degrees from an approved graduate degree program may receive up to $10,000 per year in student loan redemption in exchange for teaching nursing courses at one or more eligible New Jersey institutions of higher education for up to five years, for a maximum total of $50,000. HESAA will apply payments to a participant's outstanding student loan balance at the end of each completed year of service.

"Addressing workforce shortages with innovative solutions is key to ensuring the success of our communities and our state as a whole," said Governor Mikie Sherrill. "By alleviating the student loan debt of faculty members who agree to teach aspiring nurses, this program helps close gaps in New Jersey's nursing workforce so more residents can access the health care they need."

"Like other workforce development programs administered by HESAA, the Nursing Faculty Loan Redemption Program encourages professionals to serve in high-need fields through targeted incentives," said HESAA Acting Executive Director Jerry Traino. "Supporting nursing faculty in exchange for teaching, whether full- or part-time, helps ensure more students across our state can access the education and training needed to enter our state's nursing workforce."

Nursing faculty teaching 24 or more credits during the academic year may receive up to $10,000 in student loan redemption annually. Part-time faculty teaching 18 to 23 credits may receive up to $8,000, while those teaching 3 to 17 credits may receive $5,000 each year.

A total of $825,000 in funding is available for this year's round of the Nursing Faculty Loan Redemption Program.

Eligible applicants must be a New Jersey resident, hold a valid New Jersey Registered Nursing License or New Jersey Nurse Licensure Compact, and must submit all required documentation within the application period. Applicants will be scored based on the total number of credits taught, the proportion of those credits within an eligible Registered Nursing program, the number of consecutive years of service at the same institution, and degree type earned through an approved graduate program.

NJCLASS or federal student loans used to cover the cost of attendance at an approved graduate degree program are eligible for redemption under the Nursing Faculty Loan Redemption Program. Applicants cannot be in default on any student loans.

The application period for the Nursing Faculty Loan Redemption Program is open now through March 2, 2026. To learn more and apply, visit: www.hesaa.org/Pages/NFLRP.aspx/

###

HESAA, the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, is the only New Jersey state authority with the sole mission of providing students and families with financial and informational resources for students to pursue their education beyond high school. For more information, visit https://www.hesaa.org .

​