Section 598.120  Criteria for Selecting Scholarship Recipients

a)         Preference shall be given to those scholarship applicants who, in written narratives and personal interviews, demonstrate the following:

1)         Interest in pursuing a degree and licensure or certification as a certified nurse practitioner, physician assistant, certified registered nurse anesthetist or certified nurse midwife;

2)         Previous experience with medically underserved populations;

3)         Previous experience in rural practice, with preference given to those whose experience has involved one of the primary care specialty areas;

4)         Academic capabilities as reported by the applicant's approved school;

5)         Financial need as reported by standard financial analysis documentation supplied by the applicant's school on the student's behalf;

6)         Greater number of years of school remaining;

7)         Stated interest in providing primary health care to citizens residing in designated shortage areas of Illinois;

8)         Most number of years of residence in Illinois; and

9)         United States citizens or lawful permanent residents.

b)         Of all applicants, priority shall be given to those individuals who have previously received a scholarship, provided that:

1)         Recipient requests, in a format determined by the Department, a continuation of scholarship funds;

2)         Recipient would not be repeating the same year of school for the second consecutive year because of poor academic performance; and

3)         Recipient has not voluntarily withdrawn from school.

c)         When the number of applicants is sufficient, scholarships will be equally distributed among all applicants by profession.

(Source:  Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 2345, effective January 27, 2012)