About the Program

The Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program provides student loan repayment assistance to registered nurses working in Maine as nurse educators or relocating to work in Maine in a position as a nurse educator at a nursing education program. 

The program was established for the purpose of increasing the number of nursing faculty in nursing education programs in the state of Maine.

Program recipients may receive awards totaling up to $40,000 depending on highest degree attained and work status. Full-time and part-time nurse educators are eligible to apply.

Loan repayment awards are disbursed over a three-year period. Awards are paid directly to a recipient’s loan servicer and cannot be paid for an amount more than that which is outstanding at the time of payment.

Eligibility

  1. Be a nurse registered in the state of Maine;
  2. Have completed a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing, or currently enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree program in nursing;
  3. Possess outstanding education loans relating to a master’s or doctoral nursing degree. Undergraduate loans cannot be considered for this program;
  4. Teach in a nursing education program at an eligible Title IV institution in Maine;
  5. Sign a statement of intent in a form acceptable to FAME to work as nursing faculty in a nursing education program in Maine for a minimum of 3 years after acceptance into the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program;

Program Awards

Full Time Faculty:

  • Up to $6,667 annually, $20,000 total over 3 years for faculty with a master’s degree in nursing
  • Up to $13,334 annually, $40,000 total over 3 years for faculty with a doctoral degree in nursing

Part Time Faculty:

  • Up to $3,334 annually, $10,000 total over 3 years for faculty with a master’s degree in nursing
  • Up to $6,667 annually, $20,000 total over 3 years for faculty with a doctoral degree in nursing

Prior to each disbursement, recipients must supply evidence of continued employment in an eligible position, proof of continued professional qualification, and evidence of outstanding loan balances.

Renewals

There are no renewals. This is a one-time selection, awards to be disbursed over three years, and subject to employer certification.

How to Apply

The application cycle for the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program closed on March 31, 2025. The next application cycle will open on February 1, 2026.

  1. The application for the Maine Nursing Education Loan Repayment Pilot Program must be completed online. You will not be able to save an application in progress and return to it later—once you begin the application, you will need to complete it.
  2. Before you begin, have all documents required to complete your application saved as PDF files:
    • Essay describing your commitment to Maine as a nurse educator and the impact that being selected would have on your career goals (limit 4,500 characters);
    • Signed statement of intent to work as nursing faculty in a nursing education program in Maine for a minimum of three years after acceptance into the program;
    • Official academic transcript showing highest degree conferred or current matriculation for a master’s or doctoral nursing program and anticipated graduation date;
    • Copy of Maine nursing license;
    • Résumé (must include your current position);
    • Proof of employment in a form acceptable to FAME (e.g., contract, employment letter);
    • Evidence of outstanding education loans attributable to the dates of education for your master’s and/or doctoral degree.
  3. The program application link below will direct you to FAME’s online application system
  4. Review the following documents included in the application
    • Application Guidelines & Checklist
    • Private Education Loan Application & Solicitation Disclosure
Nursing Education Loan Repayment Application

You must submit all required documents by March 31 for your application to be considered complete. Applications that are not complete by the deadline are ineligible. FAME assumes no responsibility for identifying missing or erroneous information.

Selection

Each application completed by the deadline will be reviewed by FAME for program eligibility. All applicants will be notified by mail of the selection decision.

This program is governed by Maine law as set forth in 10 M.R.S.A. §1019

Additional Questions?

If you have additional questions, please contact a FAME Education Program Specialist Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

207-623-3263 | Toll-free: 800-228-3734 | TTY: 207-626-2717

Education@FAMEmaine.com