RN-BSN Stipend Program Frequently Asked Questions

The RN-BSN Stipend Program application eligibility requirements are:

• A short essay response to a prompt asking how the stipend will impact the completion of your BSN.
• Acknowledgement and agreement to the RN-BSN Stipend's five (5) obligations sent via Qualtrics.

Yes, all students who are selected must sign the RN-BSN Stipend Program Student Contract pdf filePDF file type to receive the stipend. We encourage you to carefully review the RN-BSN Stipend Program Student Contract's obligations before starting the application.

There are only two application cycles: one for the Fall and one for the Spring. 

Fall Application Cycle
July 1st - August 10th

Spring Application Cycle
December 1st  – January 18th

Yes, assuming that the application cycle is still open and you will be enrolled in classes during the semester you are applying for.

Yes, we are limited by the available funding; however, our target is 50 students per semester. We may accept students into a waitlist for the following semester, if able.

Reviewers will anonymously and review the short response and student acknowledgements with the goal of selecting 50 students as stipend recipients. If students are not selected, they may be placed on a waitlist.

Students from the Jump Start or Concurrent Enrollment Program will receive priority for recipient award status.

Students are eligible to receive $5,000 per semester, up to two semesters, for a total of $10,000. If you apply for the semester you graduate, then you will only receive one disbursement of $5,000, not both.

This stipend may potentially impact aid. Every student's financial aid award package is unique. We encourage students to reach out to the Office of Financial Aid to evaluate any possible impact to their financial aid award package.

Yes, of course. Please let us know as soon as you make your decision so we can give the stipend to another student.

The stipend is awarded through the Financial Aid Office, and as such it is delivered in the same way you receive financial aid. 

After all recipients are notified that they have been accepted for the RN-BSN Stipend Program and have returned the contract signed, we submit the recipients. It can take between eight (8) to twelve (12) weeks for the process to reach completion and for your stipend to be dispersed.

No, if you are a recipient then you will not need to apply again in the following cycle. If you take a leave of absence or stop-out, please create a plan with us for returning to school and we will attempt to honor your recipient status (based on available funding) and fast track you back into getting the stipend when you return. You can do this by emailing us at nursingstipend@fullerton.edu.

As per the contract, regardless of how many semesters you receive the stipend, all recipients will have to work in Orange County as a registered nurse minimum one year post-graduation (conferral) date. This means all recipients have six (6) months to obtain a job as a RN (the 6-month check-in) and then must maintain that employment for another 6-months (the 12-month check-in), which would be one year after your graduation (conferral) date. 

This would not affect your recipient status. Your obligations regarding academics are to remain an active student, maintain good grades, and take your 402L Population Health Clincal Placement in Orange County.

Withdrawing from a class will not affect your obligation to maintain good academic standing.

Please notify us as soon as possible if you need to take a stop-out. You will need to submit a Review of Circumstances form to ensure you do not lose your status as a stipend recipient and fast track you back into getting the stipend upon your return.

If the stop-out were to last 2 semesters, then you will no longer be eligible to receive the stipend. Stipend funding is limited and we only consider actively enrolled students. 

Please notify us as soon as you can if this is your intended course of action. Taking a leave of absence would terminate your contract. We have a Review of Circumstances form that can be filled out if you intend to return. Submitting this form ensures you have priority eligibility if you decide to apply to the RN-BSN Stipend Program upon your return. Please note that this does not guarantee a spot as a recipient.

Yes, you are required to work at a Qualifying Agency in Orange County. A Qualifying Agency means a hospital, community health setting, county-contracted healthcare agency, governmental agency, clinic, or healthcare provider.

For questions or concerns, please email us at nursingstipend@fullerton.edu.

No, you are not required to work full-time. You are only required to be employed as a registered nurse in Orange County.

Before suspension and/or termination efforts are taken, we will give the recipient prudent written notice of intent to suspend or terminate payment. Whenever possible, we will work with the recipient to resolve the issues of concern.

If these issues cannot be resolved, we and the recipient shall come to an agreement on a reasonable repayment plan with an established deadline for repayment within two (2) years of notification to repay. Monetary repayment plans may be modified based on individual needs and circumstances.

Recipients should notify us as soon as possible if there are any changes to your contact information. Please email us at nursingstipend@fullerton.edu if any changes occur.

Your graduation date does not affect your recipient status unless it is the consequence of you taking a leave of absence/stop-out for reasons mentioned above.

Recipients will receive two Qualtrics surveys: a 6-month check-in and 12-month check-in. These surveys will collect the your offer letter/acceptance letter, the name and address of employer, supervisor name, and phone number. 

If you leave your place of employment and enter a new one, you are required to submit new proof of employment as soon as possible if it's within the check-in period.

All nursing students need to submit the RN-BSN core required documents link opens in a new windowopens in a new window after admission. These documents must always be up-to-date to ensure you are in compliance with our clinical partners.