The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at the University of St. Francis, are accredited by the:
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
655 K Street NW 
Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001 
Tel: 202-887-6791

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)

• • 2023 pass rates for Leach College of Nursing students was 92%—well above the national average of 89%, and state average of 85%
  • 2024 pass rates for first-time takers: 97.62% 

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

American Nurses Credentialing Center Certification (ANCC)

• • Family Nurse Practitioner 2022 pass rates: 100%
  • Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 2022 pass rates: 83%

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification (AANP)

• • Family Nurse Practitioner 2022 pass rates: 88%
  • National average score of all tests administered is 537, but USF’s program average is 576—above the national average.

American Nurses Credentialing Center Certification (ANCC) 

Family Nurse Practitioner 2023 first-time candidates: 80% 
Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 2023 first-time candidates: 95%

The University of St. Francis Upsilon Delta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International recognizes superior achievement and leadership qualities; fosters high professional standards; and encourages creative work. The honor society also works to strengthen the commitment to the ideals and purposes of the nursing profession. Both undergraduate and graduate students who meet the following criteria may be inducted:

• Undergraduate Students must complete half of the nursing curriculum; achieve academic excellence with 3.0 GPA or higher; rank in the upper 35 percentile of the graduating class; and meet the expectation of academic integrity.
• Registered Nurse Students must have completed 12 credit hours at USF; have completed half of the nursing curriculum; achieve academic excellence with 3.0 GPA or higher; rank in the upper 35 percentile of graduating class; and meet the expectation of academic integrity.
• Graduate Students (master’s and doctorate) must have completed one-quarter of the nursing curriculum; achieve academic excellence with 3.5 GPA or higher; and meet the expectation of academic integrity.
• Nurse Leader Candidates must be legally recognized to practice nursing in his/her country; have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent in any field; and demonstrate achievement in nursing.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Will County HEROES Teaching & Nursing Scholarship

Will County has awarded University of St. Francis funds to generate a pathway for enrollment, education and employment for its residents. Potential nursing students are eligible to apply for up to $2,500 a semester or $5,000 per academic year of scholarship money towards their education as an incentive to stay and work in Will County. Scholarship funding will be available through Fall 2026 or until funding is expended.

• Must complete the FAFSA or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Contact the USF Financial Aid for assistance, finaid@stfrancis.edu)
• Must have permanent residency in Will County and expect to work at a Will County education or health care institution after graduation (home address; not campus residence)
• Scholarships are currently available to new USF undergraduate students pursuing a nursing profession
• It is only available to students who attest to one or more of the following criteria:
• Household has a low or moderate income (income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for the size of the household)
• Household experienced unemployment as a result of the pandemic
• Household qualified for Medicaid, PELL, SNAP or WIC
• Must complete the University of St. Francis Student Attestation/Scholarship Application Form each semester for which they are requesting scholarship dollars
• Both part-time and full-time students are eligible to apply
• There is no minimum GPA requirement
• For questions and to learn more, contact the Admissions Office at eruiz@stfrancis.edu or contact 815-740-5070

Leach College of Nursing Scholarship

Scholarship sponsored by John and Cecily Leach. All nursing students (BSN, BSN Completion, and MSN) are encouraged to apply. Amount varies.

• Must have completed a FAFSA by the deadline to be considered
• Must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA for undergraduates and a 3.0 cumulative GPA for graduates
• Scholarship recipients will be based upon financial need and tuition expense incurred at University of St. Francis.
• Deadline: September & January annually
• Apply through Financial Aid Services in the Tower Hall, N-320
• Contact Financial Aid Service, 866-890-8331, 815-740-3403, finaid@stfrancis.edu

Jennifer K. Bily Scholarship

Scholarship sponsored by Anthony and Kathy Bily. Anthony and Kathy Bily established the scholarship in the memory of their daughter, Jennifer, a nursing student who died in an automobile accident in 1995.

• Applicant must be in good academic standing with financial need
• Enrolled full-time in the traditional undergraduate nursing degree program with full tuition rate
• Student must submit one-page typed essay outlining educational and career goal within the nursing profession
• Preference will be given to senior student residing in Plainfield, Illinois and/or students with expressed interest in emergency/trauma disciplines
• Deadline: September 1^st annually
• Applications must be submitted to Financial Aid Services, Tower Hall, N320, finaid@stfrancis.edu.

Annalise Hathaway Endowed Scholarship

Annalise Hathaway graduated from the Leach College of Nursing in 2012. Sadly, she left this world much too quickly. Annalise’s true passion was nursing. With her friendly demeanor, professional and compassionate manner, Annalise brightened everyone’s day.

In memory of Annalise and with a desire to support students at the University of St. Francis who serve and lead in the nursing profession, the Hathaway family has endowed a yearly scholarship.

• Must be a senior nursing student in good academic standing
• Applicants must complete two essay questions to be reviewed by the family
• Apply through Financial Aid Services in the Tower Hall, N-320
• Contact Financial Aid Service, 866-890-8331, 815-740-3403, finaid@stfrancis.edu

Dr. Patricia Shelvy Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Scholarship

The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Scholarship was established by Dr. Patricia Shelvy. Dr. Shelvy recognizes the need for an online psychiatric nurse practitioner program. The scholarship is expendable and will be awarded based on the following criteria.

• Student must be enrolled in the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program
• Must be in good academic standing
• Show the desire to complete the program and an asset to the community working in the field
• Applicant must write one paragraph addressing the criteria of the award
• Submit the completed application to Financial Aid Services, finaid@stfrancis.edu by March 1.
• Contact Financial Aid Service, 866-890-8331, 815-740-3403, finaid@stfrancis.edu

CVS Health Foundation Family Nurse Practitioner Student Scholarship Program

The grant is to be used to support students as they complete their academic program.

• Must be Family Nurse Practitioner program students
• Have worked with organizations that support underserved populations as a student, volunteer or in a professional capacity
• Be in good academic standing
• FNP students will be notified through their USF email address when scholarship is available.

GRANTS

Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) Grant

The ANEW program has been selected for funding by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The trainee support will be $11,000; a stipend of two installments (clinical course semesters) of $5,500. The funding will train APRN students to practice in underserved and rural communities or state and local health departments within Illinois. The University of St. Francis Leach College of Nursing was awarded a grant worth close to $1.5 Million.

• Students must apply for admission to USF prior to applying for this scholarship.
• Must be enrolled in the Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Management courses
• Must be in good academic standing as defined by the University
• Recipient will complete clinical training experiences for a minimum of 2 clinical rotations with ANEW clinical partners or possible approved HRSA agencies.
• Prior to enrolling for the FNP or PMHNP clinical management course, visit stfrancis.edu/leach-college-of-nursing/anew to learn more about qualifying for participation and to apply.

The Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) Grant  

Once a student commits to this, then the NFLP grant program authorizes cancellation of up to 85% of their original loan plus interest. The terms state that the student will be loaned $12,490 each year upon completion of the promissory note and Borrower’s Rights and Responsibilities form. This will go toward the student’s tuition, books, fees, and any educational expenses. After which time that the commitment is fulfilled, up to 85% of the loan is forgiven.

To be eligible for the NFLP grant, the applicant must:

• Be enrolled in graduate nursing degree programs
• Student must be in good academic standing
• You must also be a citizen of the United States, a non-citizen national, or a foreign national having in his/her possession a visa permitting permanent residence in the United States.
• Students must commit to teaching nursing students in one of three ways: 
• As a full-time faculty member for a period of no less than 4 years.
• As a part-time instructor at an accredited school AND precept APRN students part-time.
• As a preceptor for APRN students in a full-time capacity for one year. 
• If interested, please email nflp@stfrancis.edu.

The Leach College of Nursing and USF Graduate Admissions is proud to partner with numerous organizations to provide tuition discounts to their employees. Please look here for a full list of our current partners.  If you see your organization listed, speak to an advisor and complete the Employee Discount Form.