Frequently Asked Questions

The Academic Investment Program offers the opportunity for eligible nursing students to step into a rewarding career without out-of-pocket tuition expenses. It will provide full coverage of qualifying tuition, book expenses and other fees at Methodist College for students who commit to working at Carle Health for a minimum of two years after graduation and/or completion of their licensure.

Carle Health and Methodist College are committed to creating access and pathways for interested individuals to experience fewer barriers when pursuing successful healthcare careers. The organizations are committed to investing in the success of students and future clinicians as part of the ongoing focus on creating better health outcomes for the people we serve. Like many communities across the nation, central Illinois continues to face challenges in maintaining healthcare expertise, initiatives like the Academic Investment Program will create more opportunities for local community members.

The program is open to current Carle Health team members and Methodist College students, and all other individuals eligible for admission to Methodist College Nursing programs.

Qualified nursing students at Methodist College will have the opportunity to enter into a loan agreement with Carle Health to finance their tuition, book expenses and other fees. Carle Health will finance any expenses remaining after external financial support like scholarships or grants have been applied. Following graduation and completion of their licensure, the student’s loan will be repaid by Carle Health as the individual fulfills their work commitment in a relevant position. (A role requiring the clinical education or licensure received.)

Students receiving financial support will require, on average, one year of employment at Carle Health per year of financial support received, with a minimum two-year work commitment. Each student’s work commitment will be tailored to their individual financial needs. Each student will work with the College’s Financial Aid Department and Carle Health Human Resources to determine their individual work commitment. Students who complete the program will receive employment opportunities at a Carle Health hospital or care facility. Graduates will have access to opportunities across the Carle Health system, and will work closely with Human Resources to find a mutually agreeable position.

As the national nursing shortage continues to be a challenge, Carle Health and Methodist College are committed to creating access and pathways for interested individuals to experience less barriers when pursuing successful healthcare careers. The new initiative will fully cover tuition, book expenses and other fees for the following programs:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

• Prelicensure – a traditional nursing program for students entering directly from high school or as transfer students.

• Accelerated Prelicensure - for transfer students who have completed all general education requirements.

• Second Degree – for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in another subject.

• LPN-BSN – for students who have completed a Licensed Practical Nurse program.

• RN-BSN – for licensed (RN) professionals who have completed an associate degree or diploma nursing program.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

• Prelicensure – for students with a bachelor’s degree in another subject, who want to become registered nurses for career advancement or to pursue doctoral studies.

The Academic Investment Program will begin supporting students at the start of the Fall 2025 semester.

Individuals interested in the Academic Investment Program should begin by applying to Methodist College. Upon admission, students will receive further information and next steps to participate in the program. Visit MethodistCol.edu/Academic-Investment-Program to get started. Current Methodist College students, or students who have already applied to Methodist College, should fill out this form.

Please contact the Methodist College admissions team at Admissions@MethodistCol.edu with questions about the program, or to learn more.

To participate in the Academic Investment Program students must be eligible for admission to Methodist College Nursing programs. Current Carle Health team members must be in good employment standing.

 Participating students must meet Methodist College’s general admission requirements, as well as the following GPA requirements (specific to the Academic Investment Program): 

•  High school students or students with no college experience: High school GPA of 3.0 or higher* 
• Current students or transfer students: GPA of 2.5 or higher 

*If a new student meets Methodist College's general admission requirements but not the Academic Investment Program GPA requirement, they may still be admitted to Methodist College. In this case, they will be able to apply for the program following a successful semester with a 2.5 GPA or higher.

While in school, students must remain eligible for enrollment in Nursing to maintain participation in the program. When fulfilling their work commitment, they must remain in good employment standing at Carle Health to continue loan forgiveness.

Yes. Once accepted into Methodist College, the student will need to complete a FAFSA and all scholarship applications to optimize external financial support first. Current Carle Health employees should also apply for Carle Health’s tuition assistance program.

Students who participate in this program may still be eligible for a sign-on bonus at the time of their graduation/ licensure. Talk with an HR recruiter to discuss eligibility.

Current Methodist College students who receive less than one year of support will also receive the sign-on bonus. (May and December 2025 graduates.)

If a student or team member is unable to complete their education or meet work commitments, they will be responsible for the loan repayment at the terms set in the promissory note.

A student’s work commitment will begin after completion of their licensure. Loan repayment and their work commitment will be deferred until the student passes or is no longer eligible to take the NCLEX-RN. In the latter case, the student’s loan would enter repayment.

All participants of the Academic Investment Program will be required to fulfill a minimum two-year work commitment in a role that requires the clinical education and licensure received.

However, current team members are eligible to receive financial support through the Carle Health tuition assistance program, which would ultimately minimize the number of total credit hours financed by Carle Health, and possibly reducing the length of work commitment.

The Academic Investment Program begins to offer support for the Fall 2025 semester and subsequent semesters. Already completed coursework or previously achieved credits do not qualify for funding support under this program.

Current Methodist College students, or students who have already applied to Methodist College, should fill out this form to express their interest in the Academic Investment Program.