The bill H. 3577 aims to amend Section 59-110-60 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which pertains to scholarships, student loans, and grants under the South Carolina Critical Needs Nursing Initiative Act. The proposed changes expand the availability of nursing education loans for students who agree to practice in designated critical needs geographic areas. Specifically, the bill introduces new loan amounts based on the level of nursing education pursued, with limits set at $10,000 for licensed practical nurse (LPN) or nursing assistant (NA) diplomas, $20,000 for associate's degrees, and $40,000 for bachelor's degrees, depending on prior qualifications.

Additionally, the bill outlines the conditions under which these loans must be repaid, including a requirement for recipients to apply for a nursing license promptly and to work in critical needs areas for a specified duration. The loan contracts will include penalties for noncompliance, such as repayment demands with interest, and may allow for payment deferrals while the recipient is fulfilling their service obligation. This legislation is designed to address nursing shortages in South Carolina by incentivizing graduates to work in areas with the greatest need. The act will take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Statutes affected:
12/12/2024: 59-110-60
Latest Version: 59-110-60