UNT Health Gets $216,643 for Nursing Faculty Program
A federal Nurse Faculty Loan Program award will help graduate nursing students pursue faculty careers in Texas.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Nursing Jobs
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UNT Health College of Nursing received a $216,643 award from the Health Resources and Services Administration through its Nurse Faculty Loan Program. The funding supports graduate nursing students preparing for nursing education careers.
Why it matters
A shortage of qualified faculty is limiting nursing schools' ability to educate enough students to meet workforce needs. The Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies projects a shortage of more than 56,000 registered nurses in Texas by 2036.
HRSA awarded $216,643 for the 2026-27 budget period, and a required $24,071 institutional contribution brings total program funding to $240,714. Eligible students may borrow up to $40,000 annually, but the source does not say how many students will be funded.
The players
UNT Health College of Nursing
The University of North Texas Health Science Center's nursing college, based in Fort Worth, administers the program.
Health Resources and Services Administration
A federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that funds workforce programs in health care.
Dr. Rebecca Burns
Principal investigator for the Nurse Faculty Loan Program at UNT Health.
The details
Eligible graduate nursing students can borrow up to $40,000 annually for tuition. Graduates who complete four consecutive years of full-time faculty service at an accredited nursing school may have up to 85% of loan principal and interest canceled.
Timeline
2026-27 budget period: HRSA awards the College of Nursing $216,643.
2036: Projected Texas shortage of more than 56,000 registered nurses.
Workforce Pipeline
The HRSA Nurse Faculty Loan Program is a federal effort to expand the pool of nursing faculty, which the 2036 Texas shortage projection makes urgent. This UNT Health award is one instance of that program being applied to Texas nursing education.
Graduate nursing students in Texas who plan to teach may be able to borrow up to $40,000 annually for tuition under this program. Those who complete four years of full-time faculty service may have up to 85% of their loan principal and interest canceled.
The takeaway
Strengthening the nursing faculty pipeline is one of the most direct ways to address future nursing shortages. Students considering teaching careers should look into federal loan forgiveness options.
Further reading
Explore more on Nursing Jobs for context on Texas healthcare staffing needs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fort Worth Business Press.
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