Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by New York State Higher Education Services Corporation

Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship — Quick Reference

Description
The Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship provides targeted graduate support to registered nurses licensed in New York State who are pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree that qualifies them to work as nursing faculty or adjunct clinical faculty in New York. Awards are intended to increase the supply of qualified nursing educators and must be used while enrolled at an approved, accredited New York college or university. Recipients must sign a service contract requiring post-graduation teaching in New York State. For full contractual details, consult the official program contract.
Key takeaways:
- Supports NYS-licensed RNs in graduate programs that lead to nursing faculty or adjunct clinical faculty roles.
- Enrollment must be at an approved, accredited NY institution.
- Recipients sign a service contract with post-graduation teaching obligations.

Award value and payment rules
This scholarship pays up to $20,000 per academic year, or the average cost of attendance at a state-operated SUNY graduate program, whichever is less. Award amounts are reduced by any other financial aid the student receives. Funding is granted annually and awards are subject to the availability of funds and program priorities.
Key takeaways:
- Maximum award: up to $20,000 per year (capped at SUNY average cost when lower).
- Awards are offset by other financial aid.
- Annual payments depend on fund availability.

How award amounts are determined
Priority is given to prior recipients when funds are allocated. New applicants are ranked by GPA and awarded additional points for experience as a licensed registered nurse; tied scores may be resolved by lottery. Applicants must meet administrative requirements each year to remain eligible for payment.
Key takeaways:
- Prior recipients receive funding priority.
- New applicants ranked by GPA and RN experience; ties may go to lottery.
- Annual administrative renewal is required for continued payment.

Duration and degree limits
Scholarship support may be received for up to three academic years and is available for one graduate degree only. The award covers consecutive years of graduate study that directly qualify the recipient to teach as nursing faculty or adjunct clinical faculty in New York.
Key takeaways:
- Maximum duration: three academic years.
- Scholarship is limited to one graduate degree.
- Applies only to graduate study that qualifies holders to teach in NYS.

Eligibility — residency, citizenship, and legal requirements
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens and legal residents of New York State who have lived in NY continuously for 12 months. Non-New York State residents (including undocumented students) should first apply for eligibility under the NYS DREAM Act before submitting the scholarship application. There are no income limits for this scholarship.
Key takeaways:
- Must be U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen and NY legal resident for 12 continuous months.
- Nonresidents/undocumented students: apply under the NYS DREAM Act first.
- No income eligibility caps.

Eligibility — academic, licensure, and enrollment requirements
Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree, be a registered nurse licensed to practice in New York State, and enroll (full- or part-time) in an approved master’s or doctoral nursing program or related program that qualifies them to be nursing faculty or adjunct clinical faculty. Applicants must be in good academic standing at their institution.
Key takeaways:
- Must have an undergraduate degree and a current NYS RN license.
- Must enroll in a qualifying NY graduate nursing or related program (full- or part-time).
- Must maintain good academic standing.

Academic performance requirement
If the applicant has already completed at least one semester in the qualifying graduate program, a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 is required to receive the scholarship. This GPA requirement ensures recipients are progressing successfully in their program prior to continued funding.
Key takeaways:
- Minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 required after one completed semester in the qualifying program.
- GPA is a factor in both eligibility and selection ranking.

Financial and loan standing requirements
Recipients must be in good standing (not in default) on any NYS or federal student loans and must not have an active service obligation to New York State or another entity at the time of award. Failure to meet loan or service-status requirements can make an applicant ineligible.
Key takeaways:
- Must not be in default on NYS or federal education loans.
- Must not have a current active service obligation to NYS or another entity.
- These conditions are checked before payment.

Application timeline and renewal
The scholarship operates on an annual cycle; recipients must complete the FAFSA and TAP application—or the NYS DREAM Act application for eligible noncitizens—each year to receive payment. Renewal is contingent on continued eligibility, fund availability, and meeting the program’s academic and administrative requirements.
Key takeaways:
- Annual application/renewal required.
- Must file FAFSA and TAP, or NYS DREAM Act, each year for payment.
- Renewal depends on eligibility and available funds.

Selection, ranking, and priority
When funds are limited, the program gives priority to current/previous recipients. New applicants are evaluated primarily on graduate GPA and professional experience as a licensed RN. Ties in ranking may be resolved by a lottery procedure.
Key takeaways:
- Current recipients prioritized for funding.
- New applicants ranked by GPA and RN experience.
- Ties can be broken by lottery.

Post-graduation service obligation and consequences of noncompliance
Recipients must teach at least 12 academic credit hours (or equivalent) per year as nursing faculty or adjunct clinical faculty at a New York institution for four years. Teaching must begin within three years after completing the graduate degree. If the recipient fails to meet the service obligation, all award payments convert to a 10-year loan with interest fixed at the federal PLUS loan rate in effect when the service contract is signed.
Key takeaways:
- Obligation: teach ≥12 credit hours per year for four years in NYS.
- Teaching must start within three years of degree completion.
- Failure to comply converts awards into a 10-year loan with interest.

Program background and where to get details
The scholarship is named for Senator Patricia K. McGee and supports the preparation of nursing faculty in New York State. For full legal terms, contractual obligations, and the program’s official rules, consult the Senator Patricia K. McGee Nursing Faculty Scholarship Program Contract and the administering agency’s website.
Key takeaways:
- Named for Senator Patricia K. McGee; focused on expanding NY nursing faculty.
- Consult the official program contract for complete terms.
- Official agency resources provide application and program details.