A new loan assistance program announced by Gov. Mark R. Warner and Sallie Mae national loan company Tuesday potentially would give nursing and education students in Virginia colleges 10 percent of their student loans back in cash.
The program, whose two components are called "Teach for Virginia" and "Care for Virginia," requires education and nursing students to agree to work or teach in Virginia for three years after graduation while making regular payments on their loans. The program aims to address the growing nursing and teaching shortages in Virginia, which Warner has made a priority to correct.
"Any way that people can tie financial aid to employment in needed areas is good way to go," University Nursing School Dean Jeanette Lancaster said.
According to Lancaster, the nursing shortage is not due to a lack of interest but rather is a problem of inadequate resources.
At the University, the number of Nursing students is limited by the lack of available teaching space and faculty.
Curry School of Education Dean David Breneman said he supports the program but would like it to be a little more generous by providing incentives for teachers who teach in inner-city public schools.
The program eventually may expand to other states.
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